The Panthers peaked in our Touchdown Wire power rankings not too long ago, reaching the No. 7 spot and threatening to move up into the elite tier of teams. A five-game losing streak has officially eliminated them from the playoff picture and made it clear they were never a contender to begin with.
Following another humiliating loss to the Falcons (40-20) on Sunday, Doug Farrar has dropped Carolina five more spots. The Panthers head into Week 15 at No. 23 in the rankings.
“. . . Nor was Allen’s day — he completed 28 of 41 passes for 293 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions against an Atlanta defense that has been highly vulnerable through most of the season. The Panthers are due for a major offseason blow-up to rebuild, and this game made that very clear.”
If you’re looking for a silver lining, the Panthers have improved their position in the 2020 NFL draft. This latest loss has them in line to pick at No. 12 overall.
As for what they’ll do with that first-round pick – wherever it falls – it’s anybody’s guess. This current roster has more holes than a cheese grater. We also don’t know if Cam Newton will be back next year nor who will be coaching the team. The defense needs a serious infusion of young talent and the offensive line remains a mess.
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