Thanks to a 21-18 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, the Carolina Panthers became the first team in the NFL to have their 2023-2024 playoff hopes officially dashed. So, where does the first team to be eliminated sit across the latest set of power rankings?
Well, exactly where you probably think they would . . .
Touchdown Wire
Author: Jarrett Bailey
Rank: 32 (-)
Take: “Hang in there, Panthers fans- only five more weeks.”
USA TODAY
Author: Nate Davis
Rank: 32 (-)
Take: “They can’t claim to be first in many areas but continue to lead the league in losses (11) and, on Sunday, Carolina became the initial team officially eliminated from postseason contention … not especially easy when you live in the NFC South.”
NFL.com
Author: Eric Edholm
Rank: 32 (-)
Take: “The Panthers became the first NFL team to be officially eliminated from postseason play, and you’re now free to pour one out for them. Carolina actually led late in the third quarter Sunday — for all of 10 game seconds — before the Bucs hit the gas and took control. Like the Patriots, the Panthers have been in a season-long offensive slog. Unlike New England, however, Carolina remains clearly and deeply invested in its young quarterback. The remainder of the Panthers’ season should be spent trying to build up Bryce Young’s confidence and effectiveness, with an eye on 2024 being his breakout year. Carolina can also try to play spoiler down the stretch, with games against all three NFC South opponents, plus the Packers and Jaguars, remaining on the schedule. Without a 2024 first-round pick on the horizon, the Panthers might as well go out and try to upset the apple cart.”
ESPN
Author: David Newton
Rank: 32 (-)
Take (on the team’s “pleasant surprise): “Hubbard, a 2021 fourth-round pick, was expected to be a role player behind Miles Sanders, who signed a four-year, $25.4 million deal during the offseason. Hubbard has instead taken over as the Panthers’ lead back and is coming off his best game (104 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries). He has relegated Sanders to being a role player.”
CBS Sports
Author: Pete Prisco
Rank: 32 (-)
Take: “They can change coaches, change staff members, cut offensive linemen, and it doesn’t matter. The offense stinks.”
Pro Football Talk
Author: Mike Florio
Rank: 32 (-1)
Take: ““First team eliminated” was not on the David Tepper to-do list for 2023.”
