The Panthers’ Week 2 blowout of Atlanta did more than even their record at 1-1. It pushed Carolina up in the NFL conversation, and a couple of the latest power rankings show just how far that win moved the needle.
Bleacher Report’s NFL staff put Carolina at No. 21, a two-spot jump. That still left the Panthers as the second-highest team in the NFC South, trailing only the 1-1 New Orleans Saints, who landed at No. 13.
NFL.com’s Nick Shook was far more bullish on Carolina, sliding the Panthers up 10 spots to No. 17 after their 34-3 road win over the division rival Falcons. In his ranking, the Saints came in at No. 14, keeping the gap in the division much tighter than Bleacher Report did.
That split tells the story of Carolina’s start: one ranking sees a modest climb, while another sees a major leap. Either way, the direction is the same after a dominant Week 2.
The offense has been the driving force, and Bryce Young is the biggest reason why. Through two games, Young is tied for first in touchdowns and second in passing yards. As long as that production keeps coming, Carolina’s stock is going to keep rising with it.
The more skeptical view from Bleacher Report has the Panthers behind a couple of teams that have not exactly inspired much confidence. The Raiders are 2-0, but their wins have come against the Miami Dolphins and the Los Angeles Chargers, and questions still linger about their wide receiver room, how long Kirk Cousins will be starting at quarterback, and whether Brock Bowers can get back to 100%.
There’s also the simple fact that Las Vegas had the No. 1 pick in the draft. A strong start doesn’t automatically mean the whole thing has changed.
Then there’s Pittsburgh, which looks even shakier. The Steelers barely got past the Cooper Rush-led Falcons by more than seven points, then followed that up with a rough showing against the New England Patriots, scoring only 3 points and turning it over twice, including one that was returned for a defensive score.
Carolina still has the Week 1 disaster on its résumé, when Chicago hung 59 points on the Panthers. But unlike Pittsburgh, the Panthers at least have something positive to point to: an offense that has flashed early and a quarterback who’s making noise right away.
In Other News...
Panthers Suddenly Face A Backfield Decision They Didn't Expect
Jonathon Brooks latest setback has put the Panthers in a spot they probably hoped to avoid this early in the season. Brooks reaggravated his groin injury against the Falcons and is now considered week-to-week, leaving Carolina to sort through its backfield depth while trying to keep the offense on schedule. AJ Dillon is already in the mix, and Trevor Etienne is expected back soon, which gives the Panthers at least some internal options as they wait for clarity on Brooks.
Still, the situation has created room for outside speculation, including a possible short-term look at Chargers running back Kimani Vidal. No official move has been reported, and Carolina may decide the current group can bridge the gap without adding another body. But with Brooks sidelined again, the Panthers are suddenly weighing a decision they did not expect to be making this soon. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Just Added A Name To Watch On Special Teams
The Panthers kept tinkering with the back end of their roster by adding wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette to the practice squad and moving on from E.J. Williams to make room. Smith-Marsette brings a different kind of value than a typical receiver addition, since he has experience as a return specialist and has already bounced around to multiple NFL teams after being drafted in 2021.
For Carolina, the move is less about immediate headlines and more about depth, flexibility and keeping a useful special teams option in the building. Smith-Marsette now joins the rest of the practice squad as another player the Panthers can evaluate, and his background suggests the team is at least taking a closer look at whether he can carve out a role beyond simply being a camp arm. [Read more 🡒]
Bryce Young Puts Panthers Momentum To The Test Against Cleveland
After both teams shook off opening-week losses with Week 2 wins, the Panthers now get another early chance to see whether their momentum is real or just a brief September surge. Bryce Young remains central to that question, because Carolinas ability to keep building on last weeks success will depend on whether its offense can keep finding enough rhythm against a Cleveland group that can make life difficult on both sides of the ball.
The matchup also brings a classic early-season measuring stick feel, with two teams trying to establish some stability before the schedule starts to tighten. Betting trends and recent scoring patterns have pointed toward a higher-scoring game, which only adds to the intrigue for Carolina as it tries to prove the Week 2 bounce was more than a one-game rebound. [Read more 🡒]