Niner Noise
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NFL power rankings: 49ers stay even, Patriots fall entering Week 3

By Peter Panacy

JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 16: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots walks off the field during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on September 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 16: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots walks off the field during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on September 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 16: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers throws a pass during the second half against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 16: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers throws a pass during the second half against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

team. 87. . L, 31-24 vs. Falcons. Previous: . Carolina Panthers. 12

Not even a vintage MVP-like performance from quarterback Cam Newton could help the Carolina Panthers knock off the Atlanta Falcons in a crucial early NFC South divisional bout.

Newton was awesome in Carolina’s back and forth 31-24 loss, tossing for 335 yards with three touchdowns against one interception, which wasn’t exactly his fault. And those numbers would have been vastly better had it not been for multiple drops from Panthers receiving targets.

At least running back Christian McCaffrey continues to shine as a multipurpose weapon on the ground and through the air.

Those drops, however, along with the Panthers allowing Atlanta to go a perfect 4-of-4 in the red zone, ultimately led to head coach Ron Rivera’s squad dropping to .500 on the young season and losing what could be a critical divisional contest against its rival Falcons.