ESPN FPI Ranks Panthers Near Bottom of the NFL

Can Carolina prove the computers wrong?

It will be an interesting season in Carolina in 2023 as it marks the start of the Frank Reich/Bryce Young era. The NFC South is for the taking and even a rookie-led team could be in the mix for the division crown. 

Carolina's roster has significantly improved since the end of last season but despite that, they check in at No. 27 in ESPN's Football Power Index. The only teams the Panthers rank higher than are the Titans, Colts, Buccaneers, Cardinals, and Texans. The Bears, Packers, and Falcons rank just ahead of Carolina. 

Is this too low of a ranking or just about right?

If we are talking about where things are to start the season, then yeah, it's in the neighborhood of being right. The Panthers haven't done anything yet and we don't know what this team will look like. But if we are projecting out through the end of the season, then no, this is completely off in my opinion.

According to the FPI, the Panthers have the fourth-easiest schedule in the entire league. After their bye week in Week 7, Carolina only sees three teams that made the playoffs in 2022 - Dallas, Jacksonville, and Tampa Bay (2x). But considering the Buccaneers now have Baker Mayfield at quarterback instead of Tom Brady, it's a matchup that favors the Panthers both home AND away.

Carolina may struggle to find its footing out of the gate but as the season progresses and Bryce Young gets more comfortable at this level, you'll see the Panthers string together some wins and end up near the middle of the pack rather than in the basement of ESPN's FPI.

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