For the primary time since Week 10 of the 2021 season, the Carolina Panthers are sitting at a .500 report. And sure, that is an accomplishment of kinds within the present state of the group.
They obtained there on Sunday, due to a 30-27 victory over the visiting Dallas Cowboys. Their walk-off triumph now marks their second straight win and the third of their final 4 outings.
And now, as we dive into the most recent units of energy rankings, it is time to buckle up for the trip up!
Here is the place the Panthers stand within the NFL panorama after Week 6 . . .
USA At present
Rank: 19 (+4)
Writer: Nate Davis
Take: In case you have been questioning, RB1 Chuba Hubbard is within the first season of a four-year, $33.2 million extension – although it solely has $4.5 million assured after 2025. Exhausting to say what it means for revelatory substitute Rico Dowdle, who’s getting $2.8 million this yr, however stands to cause Hubbard will at the least be again within the combine quickly.
NFL Media
Rank: 21 (+3)
Writer: Eric Edholm
Take: The Panthers have now received two straight within the fourth quarter, and three of their previous 4 general. It has been a little bit of a bumpy trip up to now, however Carolina finds itself in first rate form forward of a recreation on the winless Jets. In truth, that is the primary time the Panthers have been again at .500 this late within the season since 2021. You need to credit score Bryce Younger for the way he’s bounced again the previous few weeks, actually taking possession of the offense. He additionally has a real go-to man now. Tetairoa McMillan made up for a drop that led to an interception, catching his first two NFL TD passes within the win. Rico Dowdle additionally has made a stunning assertion within the backfield, with a surprising 473 yards from scrimmage the previous two video games. How excessive can the Panthers fly? This will likely be an interesting staff to comply with the subsequent few video games.
ESPN
Rank: 21 (+3)
Writer: David Newton
Take: A giant cause the Panthers put up traditionally dangerous numbers in opposition to the run final season was as a result of they misplaced Derrick Brown to a season-ending knee damage in Week 1. His presence, together with free agent additions to the entrance seven, has been a giant cause Carolina allowed solely 50 dashing yards up to now two video games mixed. As Coach Dave Canales has mentioned repeatedly, everybody up entrance thrives off Brown. In the meantime, Carolina’s dashing offense has thrived since transferring Rico Dowdle into the lead position. He is the second participant with at the least 200 scrimmage yards in every of his first two begins with a franchise for the reason that 1970 merger, becoming a member of Billy Sims in 1980 with the Lions, per ESPN Analysis.
Professional Soccer Discuss
Rank: 20 (+4)
Writer: Mike Florio
Take: Rico Dowdle is the perfect free-agent cut price of the yr.
CBS Sports activities
Rank: 21 (+3)
Writer: Pete Prisco
Take: At 3-3, they need to be completely happy the place they’re proper now. The run recreation is spectacular, even when it did come in opposition to two of the worst run defenses the previous two weeks.
Sports activities Illustrated
Rank: 21 (+5)
Writer: Conor Orr
Take: Rico Dowdle had 84 yards from scrimmage main into the final two weeks of the season and is now one of many 5 main backs within the NFL when it comes to complete scrimmage yards. Whereas enjoying Miami and Dallas in back-to-back weeks doesn’t damage, who on earth can’t probably love this brewing subplot to the 2025 season?
The Athletic
Rank: 21 (+3)
Writer: Chad Graff and Josh Kendall
Take: Within the final two weeks, Dowdle has had two of the season’s high 4 fantasy performances by a working again. He had 183 dashing yards Sunday in opposition to the Cowboys and led the Panthers in receiving with 56 yards and a landing. He had 206 dashing and 28 receiving yards per week in the past in opposition to the Dolphins. Not dangerous for a former UDFA who had a median draft place of 158 this yr and began the season because the Panthers’ backup.
Bleacher Report
Rank: 22 (+4)
Writer: Gary Davenport
Take: Do not look now, however the Carolina Panthers are a .500 soccer staff six weeks into the common season. It is first time Carolina has had as many wins as losses for the reason that staff was 5-5 in 2021.
Because of a second straight huge outing from working again Rico Dowdle (whose 239 scrimmage yards in Week 6 and 473 scrimmage yards the previous two weeks are each franchise information), the Panthers snuck previous the Dallas Cowboys and are actually undefeated at residence.
Quarterback Bryce Younger nonetheless is not posting massive numbers—Week 6 was the fifth time in six video games he has didn’t throw for 200 yards. However he is not making numerous errors with the ball. Rookie wideout Tetairoa McMillan caught two landing passes and the Carolina protection underneath 300 yards of offense.
Are the Panthers good? Possibly not. However there isn’t any denying that they’re getting higher.
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