Post Week 9, Power Rankings Thread

[Pantha-kun]

NFL.com : #11 

ESPN : #11

CBS Sports : #9

Bleacher Report : #8

Washington Post : #9

NBC Sports : #14  

BleedingGreenNation : #11

USA Today : #6

So pretty much everyone has us ranked in the top half of the league, with the average being somewhere near the bottom of the top 10. You think these are justified? Reading the comments underneath the rankings, it seems like most people like the defense but think Cam is a terrible passer and have almost no faith in our offense. Which makes me kinda surprised they would rank us so high if our offense is so suspect.

We're 6-3 , personally I have to agree with alot of the sentiment.  Here's the most salient quote I found "Think it’s safe to say the Panthers are the NFL’s least impressive six-win team. There are 14 teams who own a better point differential than Carolina. Cam Newton’s running ability is making up for the fact he’s been bad as a passer (2 TD, 6 INT in last four games). " Our offense looked better Sunday but I have no real clue if we can get the passing game back and if the rushing success is sustainable with Cam as our leading rusher. Our defense is good I agree, and lately has actually been getting some turnovers. so.. I would place the team at #13 or so. Our offense isn't good enough for us to be considered top 10 , and our latest two wins came against two teams that are going into a tailspin, and next two games are against the hapless Dolphins and the Jets. We might not find out what this team is really made of until we play the Saints and Vikings , which are by far and away the two toughest teams left on our schedule and the respective leaders of their divisions.  

 

 

 

[jfra78]

Damn USA Today showing much respect

I think I can honestly agree with 10-11.  This will change, by the end of the year we will be in top 5

[Cary Kollins]

If Cam were hitting the layup throws he'd probably in the MVP conversation again. Have to wonder how much the surgically repaired shoulder is affecting his accuracy.

[jbland]

8 minutes ago, Cary Kollins said:

If Cam were hitting the layup throws he'd probably in the MVP conversation again. Have to wonder how much the surgically repaired shoulder is affecting his accuracy.

He has never been great at the short throws. 

[Doc Holiday]

If we don’t blow it versus Chicago we are top 5, I’ll take the ranking, pretty good considering our current issues.

[Cary Kollins]

2 minutes ago, jbland said:

He has never been great at the short throws. 

 

Right and I'm thinking of a throw Sunday where he overthrew maybe Dickson for a would-be touchdown. I was listening on the radio and Mixon sucks so I could be thinking of someone else.

But yeah, if Cam ever became a surgical passer (which he may need to do to extend his career) he would be unstoppable.

[joemac]

10 minutes ago, Cary Kollins said:

 

Right and I'm thinking of a throw Sunday where he overthrew maybe Dickson for a would-be touchdown. I was listening on the radio and Mixon sucks so I could be thinking of someone else.

But yeah, if Cam ever became a surgical passer (which he may need to do to extend his career) he would be unstoppable.

I'm afraid at this point Cam's accuracy is what it is. I don't see him all of a sudden becoming this precision passer 8 years into his career.

[Eazy-E]

Lol @ people ranking the Seahawks above us. 

[Ricky Spanish]

Right now we're a wild card team and we're ranked like a wild card team should be ranked. 

Our defense is championship caliber. 

Our offense is New coaching regime caliber.

When we win, we win ugly, when we lose, we lose ugly. I'd say around 10 is reasonable. 

[Carolina Cajun]

I'm really intrigued to see how this team looks when we get Olsen back.  I don't think we're gonna be great on offense, but I think we can be very efficient and more explosive when the opposition worries heavily about Greg tearing them apart underneath.

[blackcat]

16 minutes ago, Carolina Cajun said:

I'm really intrigued to see how this team looks when we get Olsen back.  I don't think we're gonna be great on offense, but I think we can be very efficient and more explosive when the opposition worries heavily about Greg tearing them apart underneath.

Not to be a homer, but I expect big things from the Offense when Third Leg Greg is back.  Let's face it, we're getting by on Cam's running, which is fine for now, but adding GO back will make defenses more accountable for our passing game.  

[Randolph Panther]

With the way we are playing better on the road I wonder if we get in as a 5 or 6 and make a run like the Giants did in 2011.  Defense travels well.

[OneBadCat]

I was very encouraged by the offense on Sunday. I was low key expecting the Falcons to stomp us out. We also have had a lack of turnovers by the defense this season(as good as they’ve been).

If they get CMC going on the ground. Then this offense should be explosive as hell when Olsen comes back. He’ll free Funchess up big time.

[Randolph Panther]

I remember last year at this time we were sitting at 3-6 coming off that depressing loss to the Chiefs.