The Carolina Panthers followed up their eye-opening upset over the Green Bay Packers in Week 9 with an absolute stinker against the one-win New Orleans Saints in Week 10. That incredibly disappointing 17-7 loss, especially after their win at Lambeau Field, damaged their stock in the NFL landscape last week.

But they stopped the slide this past Sunday.

After being down by as much as 14 points, Carolina hunkered down in A-Town—mounting a comeback on the Atlanta Falcons en route to a thrilling 30-27 win in overtime. Quarterback Bryce Young led the charge, passing for a franchise-record 448 yards and three touchdowns in a bounce-back effort of his own.

So, where does this latest triumph leave the 6-5 Panthers across the power rankings? Let’s take a look . . .

USA Today

Rank: 19 (+1)

Author: Nate Davis

Take: In a division full of big-time (and big) receivers, rookie Tetairoa McMillan is proving he might be as good as any of them. He should be licking his chops to face the Niners’ secondary in a game that could have huge playoff ramifications for both clubs.

NFL Media

Rank: 19 (-)

Author: Eric Edholm

Take: The Panthers have had a wonderfully strange season, replete with shocking wins and disappointing losses — but Sunday’s victory was neither. Carolina already blanked the Falcons once earlier in the season, and even after falling behind 21-7 this time around, the Panthers looked like the better team. Bryce Young has surely heard the critics, but he delivered a gem on Sunday, throwing for a franchise-record 448 yards, a few fourth-down duds aside. This was the game he had to have, and the Panthers are a team we suddenly need to pay more attention to, especially now that the Bucs have lost two straight, narrowing Tampa’s lead over Carolina in the NFC South. The schedule is meaty, but the Panthers still have the late bye (in Week 14) and can’t be overlooked when it comes to the playoff picture.

ESPN

Rank: 18 (+1)

Author: David Newton

Take (on who is under the most pressure): [Bryce] Young still has to prove he’s the franchise QB despite going 6-4 as the starter this season and throwing for a franchise-record 448 yards Sunday. The pressure is much less than it was, but he’s still ranked 23rd in Total QBR (45.4) — and that leaves some questions as to whether he’s the long-term solution. Before Sunday, Young had gone seven straight games without passing for over 200 yards.

Pro Football Talk

Rank: 19 (-2)

Author: Mike Florio

Take: Are they ready for prime time? Ready or not, we’ll see them there next Monday night.

CBS Sports

Rank: 19 (+2)

Author: Pete Prisco

Take: Give Bryce Young credit. He came up big in the victory over the Falcons. They are one game behind the Bucs heading into a big road game at San Francisco.

The Athletic

Rank: 18 (-1)

Author: Chad Graff and Josh Kendall

Take: Bryce Young had a franchise record 448 passing yards on Sunday. It was the kind of game that could convince the Panthers they are a passing team now. That would be a mistake. Carolina rushed for only 67 yards, but if it’s going to catch Tampa Bay in the NFC South, it’s going to be on the strength of the running game, not Young’s arm.

Bleacher Report

Rank: 18 (+3)

Author: Brent Sobleski

Take: If the Panthers can get Sunday’s version of Bryce Young on a weekly basis, the NFC South is doomed. 

Young set a single-game franchise record with 448 passing yards. He finally looked like a recent No. 1 overall pick. He was on time, in rhythm and consistently on target, which allowed the Panthers to capture an overtime victory over the rival Falcons. 

Carolina had built a burgeoning identity through a strong ground game and a talented defense. Young may be the missing piece. 

Meanwhile, the Panthers are only a half-game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South. Carolina won five of its last seven games, while the Bucs are headed in the opposite direction, losing three of their last four.

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