NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Review and Reaction to 2015 League Standings

December 22, 2015   ·   Brian Mazique   ·   Jump to comments

The Carolina Panthers are still the team atop the NFL power rankings.
After a fourth-quarter collapse, the Panthers needed last-minute heroics from quarterback Cam Newton and kicker Graham Gano to keep their perfect season alive. Newton led the game-winning drive, and Gano nailed a 45-yard field goal to hand the New York Giants a 38-35 loss on Sunday.
The win improved the Panthers' record to 14-0. Per ESPN Stats & Info, this is a path Newton has traveled before:
In Week 16, the Panthers face the 7-7 Atlanta Falcons on the road. On paper, it looks like a game Carolina should win. However, when a team is undefeated this late in the season, it's going to get every opponent's best effort. Also, the Falcons still have thin hopes of making the playoffs after their 23-17 Week 15 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
Because of that dynamic and the rivalry between Carolina and Atlanta, expect another close contest as the Panthers look to wrap up home-field advant...

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