NFL power rankings, playoff edition: Kicking off the Wild Card round

NFL power rankings to kick off the Wild Card round of the playoffs

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 31: JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs upfield for a 96 yard kickoff return touchdown in the third quarter during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field on December 31, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 31: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers is sacked by Takkarist McKinley #98 of the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

. L, 22-10 at Falcons. Previous: . Carolina Panthers. 6. team. 87

The Panthers may have lost their regular-season finale to the Falcons, but they’re a more-rounded team and playing at a better level heading into the postseason than Atlanta.

Week 17 wasn’t exactly an indication of this, especially looking at quarterback Cam Newton’s struggles. But we’ve seen Newton bounce back from terrible games to light up opponents the following week.

He’ll have to do so again, as the Panthers now have to travel to take on the division-winning Saints in New Orleans for the Wild Card round.

Carolina lost both its regular-season bouts with New Orleans, though, so that’s another thing Newton and Co. will have to overcome.

If they can, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Panthers make a deep push.