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NFL power rankings: Breaking down all 32 teams’ standings in Week 14

By Peter Panacy

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 3: Dion Dawkins #73 of the Buffalo Bills shakes hands with Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots after a game on December 3, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 3: Dion Dawkins #73 of the Buffalo Bills shakes hands with Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots after a game on December 3, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 03: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers reacts during the first half of a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 3, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 03: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers reacts during the first half of a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 3, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

8. team. 87. . L, 31-21 at Saints. Previous: . Carolina Panthers

Week 13 wasn’t a must-win game for the Carolina Panthers when looking at the NFC South standings, per se, but it was pretty crucial. So coming away from it with a tough loss stings quite a bit, as the New Orleans Saints aren’t showing any signs of slowing down.

The good news, though, is quarterback Cam Newton looks to have gotten things back on track after a forgettable game against the Jets just over a week ago.

Newton didn’t have to pass much, just 183 yards on 17 completions. But his two touchdown passes were vital, and it’s nice to see rookie running back Christian McCaffrey becoming the versatile weapon we’d all envision him to be in coordinator Mike Shula’s offense.

What killed Carolina’s chances in this contest was a lowly 3-of-10 mark on third downs. Against a dangerous offense, like that of New Orleans, Carolina needed to maintain possession as much as possible.

True, the Panthers were OK in this matter. But merely OK won’t cut it against a Saints team experiencing success on both sides of the ball right now.