Power rankings

[ladypanther]

For the NFC South more like power-less rankings.  This one from NFL.com. Panthers at 25, Saints 26, Atlanta 28.

Rank

25

1

 

Carolina Panthers

5-7

Previous rank: No. 24

 

The Panthers have a Christian McCaffrey conundrum. When this season comes to a conclusion, McCaffrey will have missed 23 of 33 games since signing the contract extension that made him the highest-paid running back in NFL history. Unfortunately for his brethren, McCaffrey has become the latest example of why teams paying running backs big money is bad business. McCaffrey will be back next season, but Matt Rhule and the braintrust (minus Joe Brady) will likely use the rest of the season as a barometer in deciding whether Chuba Hubbard is a worthy backup. If you're going to walk the CMC tightrope, you had better have a strong safety net.

 

Rank

26

1

 

New Orleans Saints

5-7

Previous rank: No. 25

 

Taysom Hill added some much-needed excitement to the offense, but the desired result remained elusive for the Saints, who continued their stumble out of the playoff picture in a prime-time loss to the Cowboys. The game turned during a disastrous fourth-quarter sequence that featured three interceptions in six pass attempts by Hill, who was clearly affected by a finger injury suffered in the first half. New Orleans could still make noise with a win streak, but that’s not happening unless they get healthy at key spots along the offensive line (Terron Armstead, Ryan Ramczyk) and at running back (Alvin Kamara). Hill’s finger issue is a concern, as well, though it's unclear if it'll require surgery in the near term or if he'll be able to play through it.

 

Rank

27

 

 

Chicago Bears

4-8

Previous rank: No. 27

 

It's hard to get very excited about watching the Bears right now, as the mostly quiet crowd at Soldier Field on Sunday afternoon will surely attest. Chicago is pretty much out of the NFC playoff picture, the embattled head coach seems like he's on a countdown clock to Jan. 10, and Justin Fields' injured ribs have kept him out of the lineup for two weeks and counting. Backup quarterback Andy Dalton made some unwelcome personal history against the Cardinals, tying a career high with four interceptions that led to 23 Arizona points. That's six losses in seven games for the Mouses of the Midway.

 

Rank

28

 

 

Atlanta Falcons

5-7

Previous rank: No. 28

 

The financials connected to Matt Ryan make him the Falcons’ likely starter for the balance of this season and the next one, as well … but you wonder if Arthur Smith is entirely comfortable with that idea. It’s not fair to put Atlanta’s sleepy attack at the feet of the greatest quarterback the franchise has ever had, but a leaky offensive line combined with the 36-year-old’s poor pocket mobility has made for ugly football when the Falcons face a team with any pass rush. Perhaps Atlanta fixes this fatal flaw with a smart offseason of fortifications along the line, but this increasingly feels like a marriage in which a clean break would serve both sides well. Easier said than done, of course.

[Richard Cranium 1]

[Brooklyn 3.0]

Someone found the GIF button!

[Richard Cranium 1]

2 minutes ago, Brooklyn 3.0 said:

Someone found the GIF button!

[Khyber53]

They were far, far too generous to us. Not sure we could beat the Falcons, Saints or Bears on a neutral field right now.