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2016 NFL Power Rankings Week 7: Los Angeles Rams Fall After Loss to Detroit Lions

By Dan Parzych

Oct 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Los Angeles Rams middle linebacker Alec Ogletree (52) tries to tackle Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) during the first quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Los Angeles Rams middle linebacker Alec Ogletree (52) tries to tackle Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) during the first quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 16, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Panthers 41-38. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Panthers 41-38. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

27. Carolina Panthers 1-5 (20)

It’s officially time for the Carolina Panthers to hit the panic button after dropping to 1-5 following Sunday’s tough loss on the road to the New Orleans Saints.

The Panthers dug themselves in a deep hole early on against the Saints after trailing 21-0 early in the second quarter, and even though they rallied by scoring 21 points of their own in the fourth quarter, it still wasn’t enough after losing on a 52-yard field goal in the game’s final minute. Carolina was receiving the benefit of the doubt for losing a few games to strong contenders like the Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons, but there’s no excuse for what’s happened over the last two games against the Buccaneers and Saints.

For a team that represented the NFC in last year’s Super Bowl, it’s clear the Panthers’ defense is far from the dominant level they were at one year ago.

Clearly, this team misses Josh Norman at cornerback as Carolina has allowed their opponents to score 41 points or more in two of their last three games. Most teams aren’t going to lose games in which they put up 38 points, but that’s how bad it’s been for the Panthers as of late.

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