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FanSided

NFL power rankings: Stacking up all 32 teams heading into Week 15

By Peter Panacy

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 10: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers meets Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens at mid field after the conclusion of the Pittsburgh Steelers 39-38 win over the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on December 10, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 10: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers meets Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens at mid field after the conclusion of the Pittsburgh Steelers 39-38 win over the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on December 10, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 10: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers reacts after a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 10: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers reacts after a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

87. . W, 31-24 vs. Vikings. Previous: . Carolina Panthers. 5. team

The Carolina Panthers get a nice boost in our NFL power rankings this week, as beating the defensively stout Minnesota Vikings is no small task.

And considering NFC South rivals, the Saints and Falcons, squared off against each other on Thursday Night Football, Week 14 was pretty close to a must-win game for Carolina to maintain headway in the division.

A 10-point third quarter opened up the door for the Panthers to take a significant lead, although the Vikings came back to make things interesting late. While quarterback Cam Newton didn’t have his best day through the air, his 62-yard run in the fourth quarter helped set up the go-ahead touchdown to ensure Carolina went to 9-4 on the season.

Running back Jonathan Stewart had himself a game, with over 100 yards on the ground and three rushing touchdowns as well. And the Panthers defense did its job frustrating Vikings quarterback Case Keenum and holding his offense to just one successful trip within the red zone.

Biggest Question

The Panthers still hold the lead in the NFC South, although both the Saints and Falcons are within realistic striking distance.

If Carolina is going to secure this berth, it will need all-around performances from Newton to be successful. He’s had an up-and-down year, so the question will be how does he finish.