The Carolina Panthers had themselves a golden opportunity to continue their rise up the NFL landscape this past weekend.

After upsetting the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field last Sunday, they entered Week 10 at 5-4 and just a game and a half behind the NFC South lead. Seemingly awaiting them back at home was a 6-4 mark, as they turned around to host the lowly 1-8 New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium.

But that sixth win evaded them. Instead of taking care of business as the favorites, the Panthers were upended by the Saints in a disappointing 17-7 loss.

And, rightfully so, they’ve taken a slip across the latest sets of power rankings . . .

USA Today

Rank: 20 (-3)

Author: Nate Davis

Take: Rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan is the only player in a stunted passing offense with more than 20 catches or 200 yards through the air this season.

NFL Media

Rank: 19 (-)

Author: Eric Edholm

Take: If anyone has a good read on exactly what kind of a team Carolina is, please drop me a line. I’d love to know. Because it has become obvious that these Panthers require a broader scope than drilling down on what happens to them each week. We’ve seen a 30-0 win followed by a 29-point loss in Weeks 3 and 4. Three straight victories, then another blowout defeat. An upset in Green Bay followed by a home loss to the lowly Saints. Quite an interesting road to 5-5. Sunday’s loss really was a killer to the Panthers’ playoff chances, and it was another step back for the offense, which now has totaled 45 points in the past four games. With Rico Dowdle bottled up, Bryce Young couldn’t deliver against a Saints defense that was pasted the week before. Time is starting to run out with this inconsistency in Carolina, even with the Panthers sitting only a game and a half out of the last playoff spot.

ESPN

Rank: 19 (-3)

Author: David Newton

Take (on team’s non-QB MVP [Rico Dowdle]): Despite an off performance Sunday, Dowdle has been by far the biggest bright spot of the offense. He had a team-record 479 scrimmage yards during a two-game stretch when Chuba Hubbard was out, and he also had 141 scrimmage yards in an upset of the Packers. He’s among the league leaders in rushing (788 yards) after beginning the season as Hubbard’s backup.

Pro Football Talk

Rank: 19 (-2)

Author: Mike Florio

Take: It was fun while it lasted.

CBS Sports

Rank: 20 (-1)

Author: Pete Prisco

Take: Just when we think they are ready to compete for a playoff spot, they lay an egg like they did against the Saints. Bryce Young needs to pick it up.

The Athletic

Rank: 17 (-1)

Author: Chad Graff and Josh Kendall

Take (on breakout player [Rico Dowdle]: In addition to giving us the best touchdown celebration of the season, Dowdle is second in the NFL in rushing since Week 5, when he took over for Chuba Hubbard. He has 704 yards in that span and 778 for the season, which ranks third in the league. His five rushing touchdowns are a career high, and he’s on pace to top his career high in yardage (1,079) well before the end of the season.

Bleacher Report

Rank: 21 (-3)

Author: Gary Davenport

Take: The Carolina Panthers entered Week 10 as the most surprising team in the league with a winning record.

With the one-win Saints coming to town, this was the week the Panthers were going to make a statement and show they are a legitimate threat in the NFC South.

Instead, they looked like the tomato can of recent years. And the reason why is one that’s becoming very uncomfortable in Charlotte: Bryce Young ain’t the guy.

The quarterback threw for just 124 yards with an interception in Sunday’s loss. It was the third straight game in which he failed to hit 150 passing yards, and the third-year pro has one 200-yard passing game all season.

Passing on Young’s fifth-year option in 2026 isn’t going to be a great look for Carolina after what the team gave up to move up to draft him.

However, with each passing performance he puts up, that decision becomes easier to make.

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