Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: Playoff picture taking shape heading into Week 17

By Peter Panacy

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 24: The Atlanta Falcons play the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 24, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 24: The Atlanta Falcons play the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 24, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
29 of 33
Next
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 24: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers reacts after scoring the game winning touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 24: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers reacts after scoring the game winning touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

team. 87. . W, 22-19 vs. Buccaneers. Previous: . Carolina Panthers. 5

The Buccaneers may have fought hard, but it wasn’t enough to offset the Panthers, who are one of those dangerous teams heading into the postseason.

And Carolina is dangerous for a number of reasons.

Even when quarterback Cam Newton isn’t his best under center, he remains a threat with his legs. And that two-yard run with 35 seconds left in regulation proved to be the difference, as the Panthers topped the Bucs 22-19.

Carolina seizes a playoff berth and is still hoping it can pull off the NFC South, although that would take a Saints loss and a Panthers win over the Falcons next week.

The Panthers stay put in our NFL power rankings this week, but we still like them over the Saints in a head-to-head matchup that could possibly wind up taking place this postseason.