Panthers' Power Ranking Decline Amidst Struggles

The Carolina Panthers continue to struggle this season, suffering a disappointing loss to the New Orleans Saints, which significantly impacted their standing in the NFL Power Rankings. According to Pro Football Focus, the Panthers were held to just seven points and averaged a mere 3.5 yards per play in the 17-7 defeat against a Saints team that has been struggling with a rookie quarterback, Tyler Shough, making only his second career start.

This performance has raised concerns about the Panthers’ offensive capabilities, with their offense ranking 26th in expected points added per play. Furthermore, quarterback Bryce Young has not met expectations, posting a subpar overall PFF grade of 59.5, placing him 31st among quarterbacks in the league.

The defeat against the Saints, a team with a record of just 2-8, highlights the Panthers' challenges in capitalizing on opportunities against weaker opponents. As a result of this loss, the Panthers' playoff chances now stand at less than one percent, with their prospects for the remainder of the season looking increasingly bleak.

The report indicates that the Panthers have been unable to build on their earlier successes, leading to questions about whether the expectations placed on this team are too high. With the team’s struggles, it remains to be seen how they will respond in upcoming games and if they can turn their season around, especially as they approach the critical final games of the year.