Where do the Panthers stand in NFL power rankings heading into Week 8?
The Carolina Panthers just might've hit a new low this season, dropping to the Washington Commanders in an absolute laugher on Sunday. Oh, and it wasn't just the Washington Commanders they lost to, it was the Marcus Mariota-led Washington Commanders they took a 40-7 beating from.
So now, at 1-6, let's see where the Panthers have fallen into the latest sets of power rankings . . .
USA TODAY
Author: Nate Davis
Rank: 28 (-2)
Take: "They've been outscored by 133 points, 57 more than any other team. One key reason is their league-worst 11.5% pressure rate."
NFL.com
Author: Eric Edholm
Rank: 32 (-)
Take: "The Panthers were down 37-0 with more than a full quarter remaining in their loss to Washington, and out came Andy Dalton for more work. The fact that Dalton led Carolina to a useless touchdown drive was immaterial; what his presence at that point of the game suggested to me was that decision-makers do not have an exceptionally high level of interest in seeing Bryce Young get another true shot. Because that was the perfect opportunity to start up Young's redemption tour, and he didn't get on the field until there were fewer than five minutes remaining. Dave Canales' Monday endorsement of Dalton as his QB1 only solidified my sense of the situation. The Panthers are headed for another cringey final record if things don't change fast. They were whipped by 33 points going against a team that lost its starting QB in the first quarter. They've been outscored in the first halves of games this season, 154-62. I get wanting to see Jonathon Brooks and all that, but geez, there's just not a lot left to get excited about here."
ESPN
Author: David Newton
Rank: 32 (-2)
Take (on "young riser" Trevin Wallace): "Wallace, 21, showed glimpses of star material in training camp, making plays such as his pick-six against Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers during a joint practice. He wasn't getting much playing time until four weeks ago when both starting inside backers, Shaq Thompson (Achilles) and Josey Jewell (hamstring), went down because of injuries. He has been a tackling machine the past three games -- his 34 tackles rank third on the team, and he's tied for first with two tackles for loss."
CBS Sports
Author: Pete Prisco
Rank: 32 (-)
Take: "After falling into a deep hole early against Washington, they looked to lay down the rest of the game. That's not a good look. "
Pro Football Talk
Author: Mike Florio
Rank: 32 (-)
Take: "How in the hell did they win a game?"
Yahoo Sports
Author: Frank Schwab
Rank: 32 (-2)
Take: "Apologies to Patriots fans for having their team No. 32 last week. It was a mistake because Carolina would probably be a touchdown underdog vs. New England at this point. There’s no debate over the worst team anymore."
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Where do the Panthers stand in NFL power rankings heading into Week 8?