NFL Power Rankings, Week 1: Titans ink Clowney, Chiefs remain clear favorites

Trying to find reasons why the Carolina Panthers could surprise the NFL in the 2020 season actually isn’t all that difficult to do.

Christian McCaffrey is the starting point as he stands as the best running back in the league right now. He’s not alone in terms of the skill position players on offense as D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson and Curtis Samuel have talent and upside. They are also working with Joe Brady, who orchestrated the masterful and lethal LSU offense led by Joe Burrow last year, as the new offensive coordinator. And newcomer Teddy Bridgewater was a winner with New Orleans as an injury replacement last year.

But where people lose me with the Panthers is acting like the reasons for optimism and the potential of a surprise are, instead, reasons this team should be expected to be good in 2020. To me, that’s not the case.

Not only is this defense exceptionally young and unproven at multiple key spots but the offensive line has some holes as well. That’s two major problems, one on each side of the ball. Factor in a new coaching staff taking over in this offseason and the fact that Bridgewater, while solid, has a limited ceiling, this team is going to comfortably finish at the bottom of the NFC South.