Saturday, September 19, 2020

Carolina Panthers Week 2 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2020 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Carolina Panthers rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 27.8 (29th)
  • Best ranking: 22nd (The Athletic)
  • Worst ranking: 31st (CBS Sports)

Below you will find a Week 2 roundup for the Panthers in our consensus 2020 NFL Power Rankings.

The Athletic -- Rank: 22

What we learned: They shouldnt have overthought it with the game on the line. With 1:23 left, the Panthers were down 34-30 and faced a fourth-and-inches from the Raiders 46. Instead of giving the ball to Christian McCaffrey, new offensive coordinator Joe Brady called a fullback dive to Alex Armah. He got stuffed for no gain, and Matt Rhule lost his NFL debut. Despite the questionable call, the Panthers overall performance was encouraging. They scored on their first four possessions and ranked sixth league-wide in offensive EPA per snap. The defensive talent is lacking, but they could be a fun, frisky team.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 31

The offense got off to a good start, but the young defense struggled against Las Vegas. Now they have to try and slow Tom Brady.

USA Today -- Rank: 29

We know you're a hotshot play caller, Joe Brady, but why are you calling FB Alex Armah's number (not Christian McCaffrey's) during crunch time?

ESPN -- Rank: 30

Best rookie debut: LB Jeremy Chinn
The second-round pick out of Southern Illinois proved the Panthers made a smart move trading up in the second round to get him. He played every down defensively and finished second on the team in tackles with eight. His play was defined by the athleticism and speed it took to stop what appeared to be a touchdown at the 4-yard line during a key defensive stand after the Raiders had first-and-goal from the 6. -- David Newton

NFL.com -- Rank: 27

You need a foot on fourth down with the game on the line and you use Christian McCaffrey ... as a decoy? That was the call from offensive coordinator Joe Brady -- the wrong one, as it turned out -- after fullback Alex Armah was stuffed for no gain late in a 34-30 loss. Some pages of a playbook should be set on fire. It capped a strange day of usage of the game's best running back. McCaffrey had just 10 touches with a little more than five minutes to play in the third quarter. His number was called with regularity from that point on ... just not when it counted most. It's a shame, too, because the Panthers' offense had an otherwise-solid day with Teddy Bridgewater at the controls.

Previous update: Carolina Panthers Week 1 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

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