Carolina Panthers

NFL Power Rankings: Panthers Continue Decline

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

After being embarrassed in front of a national audience the Carolina Panthers continue falling in NFL Power Rankings from around the sports world…

Following a loss to Oakland the Carolina Panthers hoped to get back on track during the second leg of a west coast trip. Entering Seattle with a small chance remaining to make the playoffs, Carolina took the field knowing both Atlanta and New Orleans had lost. A win would keep the Panthers only two games back of the division lead.

However, quarterback Cam Newton was benched due to a dress code violation. With backup Derek Anderson starting the first play of the game set the tone. Anderson promptly threw an interception off the hands of fullback Mike Tolbert on the first play from scrimmage. Seattle would go on to rout Carolina 40-7 in a nationally televised game that essentially ends any hope of salvaging a tumultuous season for the Carolina Panthers.

NFL.com – 26 (-1)

From 15-1 and dabbing in football heaven to 4-8 and losing 40-7. The only thing crappier than that rap was the Carolina Panthers performance in Seattle on Sunday night. The defense couldn’t buy a stop. The offense … what offense? In the middle of it all was the distraction of Cam Newton, whose postgame (and now pregame) wardrobe has merited more attention than his play on the field. Whether you back Ron Rivera’s decision to start Derek Anderson on the first series against the Seahawks or not, we can all agree the subsequent interception felt in line with how his team’s follow-up to winning the NFC title has gone.

ESPN – 23 (-1)

Cam Newton has failed to complete 50 percent of his passes in three straight games, attempting at least 20 passes in each game. Josh Freeman in 2013 was the last quarterback to do that, and he was released by the Bucs shortly after. Newton looks to end that streak against the Chargers this week.

Dec 4, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls (34) leaps over Carolina Panthers cornerback Daryl Worley (26) for a touchdown during the first quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

CBS – 26 (-2)

Their season is all but done. It has just been a bad season for the defending NFC champs.

FOX SPORTS – 26 (-1)

No, the Carolina Panthers didn’t lose to the Seahawks because Cam Newton was benched for a series. But yes, his tailspin of a season should create significant cause for concern among Carolina fans. Not only has he failed to look like an MVP, but he’s not even worthy of a Pro Bowl spot right now.

Despite injuries along the offensive line, the Carolina Panthers unit managed to protect Newton throughout the night. Unfortunately, Newton and the Carolina offense were unable to generate any consistency in the game. With four games remaining the Panthers are essentially playing for pride from this point forward.

Currently ranked near the bottom of the NFL, where the Panthers conclude the 2016 season remains to be seen.

NFL Power Rankings: Panthers Continue Decline

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