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Reviewing the NFL.com power rankings....

ItsNotGonnaBeAlright

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ItsNotGonnaBeAlright

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Through the year:

Final week, last season: 17

It's tough to tell whether or not Carolina Panthers fans want Ron Rivera back, whether ownership wants him back, or whether he should be back. Nonetheless, there's no getting around the fact that this team won five of its last six -- with the lone loss coming against an emotionally charged team on its own field. Putting that game in Kansas City aside, Carolina was one of the most consistent clubs in the NFL from late November on.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000120857/article/nfl-power-rankings-denver-broncos-finally-claim-no-1-spot

Post-Super Bowl: 19

Ron Rivera held his job. Rob Chudzinski did not. Carolina's former offensive coordinator is now the lead dog in Cleveland, which is slightly relevant. Cam Newton and the offense came alive over the last nine games, scoring a whopping 251 points while going 6-3. Chudzinski played a large role in the late-season success. Now it's up to Mike Shula, who was promoted from quarterbacks coach to fill Chud's spot. Continuity is rarely a bad thing, and with Rivera retaining his gig, this move made sense. Carolina is over the cap, with Jon Beason, Chris Gamble and Jonathan Stewart (or DeAngelo Williams) subject to a possible release. Rivera has his work cut out for him.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000136368/article/nfl-power-rankings-ravens-earn-top-spot-going-into-offseason

Post-Draft: 21

Take another look at the defensive middle, once the weakness of this team. Ron Rivera now hasStar Lotulelei and Kawann Short at DT, with 2012 rookie phenom Luke Kuechly at the "Mike." If the draftniks had Lotulelei and Short pegged correctly, consider it safe to say the Panthers' run D won't be giving up 110 rushing yards per game in 2013. Maybe, like, 75. Good night.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000166337/article/power-rankings-49ers-seahawks-top-list-after-2013-nfl-draft

Midsummer: 22

Jonathan Stewart's injured ankles are a bit bothersome. With DeAngelo Williams recently turning 30, and the Carolina Panthers expected to half-junk the read-option, the club needs a classic running game on some level. As mentioned often, Cam Newton should not be the No. 1 rushing option. New offensive coordinator Mike Shula told the Charlotte Observer he wants his quarterback to be able to "play fast," but that doesn't necessarily mean with the football tucked under his arm.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000214575/article/power-rankings-seattle-seahawks-leapfrog-san-francisco-49ers

Pre-season: 22

When it comes to training camp, most coaches feel competition is the key to everything. Yet that axiom doesn't seem to apply to the Carolina Panthers' receiving corps. Oh, sure, Domenik Hixon, Ted Ginn Jr., Armanti Edwards and some other receivers whose jerseys you'll never buy are competing at WR3. But what about the deuce? Brandon LaFell has done very little thus far at the pro level, yet he sits atop the depth chart opposite Steve Smith. The latter has enjoyed a fantastic career, but he's 34. Hey, if the Panthers can ride this group to a wild-card berth, more power to 'em.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000229425/article/power-rankings-49ers-on-top-after-spate-of-injuries-across-nfl

Heading into Week 1: 19

Josh Norman might not start for the Panthers -- but four interceptions in the preseason? Don't say it's because he's been going against Derek Anderson and Ted Ginn, Jr. in practice. 

On another note, I might have goofed in picking Sean Lee over Patrick Willis at middle linebacker on my 2013 All-Pro Team. Just because Willis has been an All-Pro before, that doesn't mean he has season tickets to the squad; consider what Luke Kuechly did to the Ravens. Dominant.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000237674/article/power-rankings-49ers-broncos-seahawks-rule-to-start-season

 

Week 1: 21

So Ron Rivera and Co. dropped the home opener to the Seattle Seahawks. What did we learn? a) The defense -- which played ball until the bitter end versus everyone's preseason Super Bowl winners -- is much better. b) That new-look-but-still-somewhat-conventional offense we heard about all summer looks pedestrian. c) Much like Cincinnati and Minnesota, the Panthers will go as far as the quarterback -- in this case, Cam Newton -- takes them this year, with a subpar receiving corps.

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000241907/article/power-rankings-week-2-eagles-saints-soar-redskins-sink

 

Week 2: 23

Wow, what a painful 0-2. The last sequence of plays in the loss in Buffalo particularly hurt. First, the best player on the team -- linebacker Luke Kuechly -- was beaten badly by Billsreceiver Stevie Johnson, forcing Kuechly to commit pass interference, which set up Buffalo in the red zone. Then came a mix-up in coverage, as D.J. Moore failed to take the inside receiver to the corner on a pick play at the end. Game over. 

The bright spots for Panthers fans continue to be a pretty solid defense overall and -- at least this week -- a commitment to running the football ... or running plays period. Carolina had over 70 offensive snaps after posting a league-low 50 in Week 1.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000246215/article/power-rankings-week-3-seahawks-claim-top-spot-giants-fall

Week 3: 19

Had this club laid an egg and fallen to 0-3, who knows what the future would have held for Ron Rivera (despite what one report says)? No head coach needed a "W" in Week 3 quite like Rivera did after his defense broke down late in the season's first two weeks. Sunday in Charlotteheld no such drama, as the Panthers (402 yards) outgained the New York Giants (150), converting on 8 of 14 third downs. 

Want more? Eli Manning completed 12 passes all game, despite being down by multiple scores early. Oh, and Carolina ran for 194 yards. 

OK, you get the picture. Actually ... did you know that Cam Newton had an in-game passer rating of 104.4? All right, we'll stop now.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000249985/article/power-rankings-week-4-bears-saints-ascend-49ers-plummet

 

Week 4 (bye week): 20

Unlike the Packers, the Panthers did not have their bye week at an optimal time. Who would want to go on a break after routing the Giants, 38-0? 

Check out this upcoming schedule: at Cardinals, at Vikings, vs. Rams, at Bucs ... there's a chance the Panthers could go from 0-2 to 5-2 in time for their Nov. 3 home matchup with the Falcons. #justsayin'

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000254029/article/power-rankings-week-5-broncos-chiefs-climb-falcons-drop

Week 5: 26

A penny -- or a few hundred million -- for owner Jerry Richardson's real thoughts ... An unscientific poll of Panthers fans taken by the Charlotte Observer three weeks ago had 83 percent of respondents thinking Ron Rivera should be ousted. 

We certainly don't root for coaches to be dismissed. Yet, the club's maddening inconsistency -- like being completely thwarted by the Cardinals' defense Sunday -- has to be tough for the head of the organization to stomach. We opined that last week was a terrible time for the Panthers to go on a bye. Uh, looks like it pretty much was.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000258972/article/power-rankings-week-6-saints-jets-climb-bills-falcons-fall

Week 6: 22

Cam Newton was awesome against the Vikings on Sunday, tossing three touchdown passes with no picks while averaging more than 9 yards per attempt. The defense was particularly strong, but honestly, that's not what the Panthers were worried about. If Newton and offensive coordinator Mike Shula can continue to give this team pop through the air, perhaps everyone will stop speculating about Ron Rivera's future.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000263653/article/power-rankings-week-7-chiefs-chargers-climb-texans-tumble

Week 7: 14

Don't want to overstate anything or go too hot dogs and apple pie here, but take a gander atCam Newton's combined numbers over the past two weeks: 35 of 43 pass attempts completed, 10.4 yards per attempt, five total touchdowns, no picks and a 140.9 passer rating. Peyton who? OK, maybe Newton isn't quite better than Peyton Manning, but I'll take him over Peyton Hillis, so take that.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000267871/article/power-rankings-week-8-chiefs-claim-top-spot-panthers-rise

Week 8: 12

Carolina's defense sure looks the part. Through seven games, defensive coordinator Sean McDermott's group has balled out, allowing 13.7 points per contest. While Cam Newton is receiving much pub for the Panthers' recent mini-run -- they've won four of their last five -- the defense is what could push this team past the Lions or Packers for the NFC's sixth seed. Thinking Ron Rivera's seat might now be air-conditioned.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000271822/article/power-rankings-week-9-broncos-no-1-again-bengals-stay-put

Week 9: 9

Sunday brought more defensive dominance from this Panthers team, which is really flying under the radar. So Carolina gave the Falcons 289 yards? Big deal. The Panthers also forced four turnovers. Through eight contests, Carolina has allowed 106 points -- 13.3 per game.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000277047/article/power-rankings-week-10-seahawks-slip-panthers-make-a-push

Week 10: 6

For all the talk about Cam Newton, the guys on the other side of the ball have pushed this team to a 6-3 record. The Panthers' defense was flat-out dominant at The 'Stick, making Colin Kaepernick look Quincy Carter-esque. (I should tell those of you born in 2004 or later: That's not a flattering comparison.) 

The 49ers gained all of 151 total yards, and the Panthers got stops on 11 of 13 third-down plays -- talk about getting off the field. Yes, defense still wins championships ... or regular-season games, at least.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000280736/article/power-rankings-week-11-panthers-surge-colts-49ers-descend

Week 11: 5

Wow. What a football game. Tremendous hitting, lead changes and the Panthers showing they can handle a quality team. Sure, Cam Newton was high on a few tosses, but how about that third-quarter touchdown drive? He was 7 of 7 for 55 yards -- plus 15 rushing yards.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000284577/article/power-rankings-week-12-chiefs-patriots-slip-eagles-rise

Week 12: 4

The Carolina Panthers looked more like Steel Panther during the first half. Give Ron Rivera and that coaching staff a lot of credit for righting the ship at the break. ( Cam Newton, too.) Lastly, Carolina might not use Mike Tolbert much, but Panthers fans must notice what a boost the 245-pounder gives this club when he gets going. Those were some clutch runs Tolbert delivered to set up Newton's game-winning strike to Greg Olsen.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000288353/article/power-rankings-week-13-seahawks-back-on-top-colts-tumble

Week 13: 3

Look out for Carolina, everybody. The Panthers did what good teams are supposed to do: take care of lesser opposition at home. Beating the Bucs by three touchdowns certainly qualifies. The Panthers' defense is going to make them a tough out. I don't care if the opposition is Seattle, New Orleans or West Canaan, Carolina is going to represent a formidable challenge, because it doesn't rely on a high-risk, 60-throws-per-game offense to win. Oh, and before we go -- nice fourth-and-goal call, coach. #RiverboatRon

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000292119/article/power-rankings-week-14-seahawks-rule-panthers-patriots-rise

Week 14: 6

We saw what we needed to see in Sunday night's loss to the Saints on two fronts: 1) How thePanthers fared on the road in an important, nationally televised game; and 2) how their offense responded when forced to play from (well) behind. Is it panic time? No. But this team likely will be on the road in the playoffs. Carolina can probably beat Dallas, Philadelphia or Detroit, but what about Seattle or New Orleans? That's the question with this group

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000296160/article/power-rankings-week-15-seahawks-hold-top-spot-despite-loss

Week 15: 5

So you think Sunday's showdown in Charlotte is a big game? Call it the biggest home game for Carolina since the 2008 divisional round, when Jake Delhomme gift-wrapped a victory for theArizona Cardinals. Or maybe it's the most important since the Panthers hosted -- and beat -- the Dallas Cowboys in the 1996 playoffs. Either way, Carolina can just smell the 2-hole. Wait, that sounded bad. You know what I mean.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000300006/article/power-rankings-week-16-chiefs-on-the-rise-pats-on-the-decline

Week 16: 3

So do you think 24 tackles, one interception and one pass defensed earned Luke KuechlyDefensive Player of the Year honors? What a long way he's come since incurring the pass-interference penalty that led to the Bills' game-winning score in Week 2. The fun part of Kuechly's game is the passion that he plays with -- something that can't be evaluated at theNFL Scouting Combine.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000303773/article/power-rankings-week-17-broncos-take-top-spot-chiefs-slip

And today: 3

Enjoyed seeing Cam Newton after Sunday's win over the Falcons, as it is clear this guy has matured greatly since a drubbing at the hands of the Giants last year threw him into a towel-over-the-head pout. Newton just looks like a leader. Of course, that's easier to do when Greg Hardy and Charles Johnson make opposing quarterbacks feel more pressure than the top buttons of a Christina Hendricks button-down. Of Carolina's nine sacks on Sunday, six were courtesy of Hardy and Johnson.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000307508/article/power-rankings-wildcard-weekend-broncos-hold-on-at-no-1










Sorry I didn't make it look prettier. Happy New Year!
 

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