Niner Noise
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NFL power rankings: Week 5 sees 49ers stay low, a new team at No. 1

By Peter Panacy

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals and quarterback Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers shake hands after overtime of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Arizona won 18-15. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals and quarterback Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers shake hands after overtime of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Arizona won 18-15. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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FOXBORO, MA – OCTOBER 01: Devin Funchess #17 of the Carolina Panthers celebrates scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – OCTOBER 01: Devin Funchess #17 of the Carolina Panthers celebrates scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

3-1. . Carolina Panthers. 13. team. 87.

Any team going into Foxborough and defeating the New England Patriots has to experience a nice little jump in NFL power rankings. And that’s just the case for the Carolina Panthers heading into Week 5.

The Panthers’ win here was preceded by some not-so-impressive wins over the 49ers and Bills, paired with a flat loss to the Saints last week.

All the while, we thought quarterback Cam Newton was nowhere close to emulating his former MVP self.

That didn’t seem to be the case against New England, though, as he threw for 316 yards and three touchdowns against one interception.

And thanks to kicker Graham Gano’s 48-yard field goal as time expired, the Panthers were able to come away with the 33-30 victory on the road.

Wide receivers Kelvin Benjamin and Devin Funchess were key factors for Carolina’s offense, and Newton took advantage of those matchups with ease. If the Panthers can continue executing in this area, signs could point to head coach Ron Rivera’s squad finally putting it back together after a disappointing 2016 campaign.

We’ll see if this trend continues against a tough Lions defense in Week 5, but things are looking good right now.