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NFL power rankings: 32-team post-preseason breakdown ahead of Week 1

By Peter Panacy

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterbacks Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons and Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles meet after their game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 13, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Falcons 24-15. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterbacks Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons and Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles meet after their game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 13, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Falcons 24-15. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – AUGUST 24: Cam Newton #1 and teammate Jarius Wright #13 of the Carolina Panthers react on the sideline against the New England Patriots in the third quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on August 24, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – AUGUST 24: Cam Newton #1 and teammate Jarius Wright #13 of the Carolina Panthers react on the sideline against the New England Patriots in the third quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on August 24, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

13. team. 87. . . Previous: . Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers could easily go 10-6 in 2018 and wind up third in the NFC South. That’s just how stacked their division is heading into this season.

Still, there are plenty of reasons to justify the moderate climb up the NFL power rankings heading towards Week 1. For starters, quarterback Cam Newton and the offense has looked solid this preseason under their new offensive coordinator, Norv Turner, who replaced Mike Shula during the offeseason. Their combined efforts led to an impressive 25-14 preseason Week 3 victory over the New England Patriots, which shouldn’t be taken lightly.

And remember all the wide receiver woes Carolina had last year? Well, that’s a thing of the past too. The Panthers’ receiving corps looks pretty solid, and they’ll need that to stay the case in 2018 in order to support Newton.

Defensively, there are going to be concerns within the secondary. But Carolina still has one of the better front-seven defenses in the NFL, and it also helps to have a linebacker like Luke Kuechly patrolling the second level.

He’s that big a difference maker on defense.