NFL power rankings Week 13: Panthers drop 2 spots despite strong showing vs. Chiefs

Carolina falls in Vinnie Iyer's weekly NFL power rankings at The Sporting News despite pushing champs to the limit.

Tim Weaver | 3 Hours Ago

CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 24: Carolina Panthers wide receiver Deven Thompkins (13) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs safety Chamarri Conner (27) during an NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Carolina Panthers on November 24, 2024 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. / (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers had the reigning heavyweight champions of the NFL on the ropes yesterday, but they couldn't quite close out the Kansas City Chiefs. The ever-slippery Patrick Mahomes escaped a second-straight loss with a devilish 33-yard scramble in the clutch, setting up the game-winning field goal as time expired.

While it's a hard way to lose any game, the Panthers should be feeling pretty good about themselves today. Their young quarterback had the best game of his pro career, their pass rush got going when it mattered most and their rookie head coach displayed some very clever playcalling.

Nevertheless, Carolina has fallen in Vinnie Iyer's latest power rankings at The Sporting News. They came in at number 27, down two spots from last week.

TSN on ranking Panthers 27

"The Panthers should be pleased about the second-year resurgence of Bryce Young. He might be a keeper after all for Dave Canales."

To be honest this ranking doesn't seem entirely fair. If anything the Panthers should have risen a couple of spots, even if the loss cost them ground in the standings. They certainy look like a better team right now than Tennessee, Cleveland and New Orleans, who are all ranked ahead of them going into Week 13.

Then again, only wins command respect in this league and the Panthers are going to have to post some more Ws if national writers are going to start taking them seriously. For now, all they can do is keep improving. Next up on the schedule are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.