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2021 NFL Power Rankings Week 15: Chiefs explode, Broncos remember a hero

By Randy Gurzi

2021 NFL Power Rankings; The Kansas City Chiefs players on the bench dance during the second half against the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
2021 NFL Power Rankings; The Kansas City Chiefs players on the bench dance during the second half against the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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2021 NFL Power Rankings
2021 NFL power rankings; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) drops back to pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

team. 87. . . Previous: 24th. Carolina Panthers. 25

25. Carolina Panthers

Once again, Cam Newton found himself being benched by the Carolina Panthers. In a loss to the Atlanta Falcons, Newton started out hot but before long he was watching P.J. Walker under center.

There were two turnovers that were on Cam, but according to Dean Jones of Cat Crave, there’s blame outside of Newton as well. While Jones doesn’t absolve the star quarterback, he does say he deserves better.

"“He is not without blame over the last few weeks. But the simple fact of the matter is, Newton deserves better. The change in offensive coordinator did absolutely nothing to ignite the offense. Couple this with porous protection and it’s not hard to see where the problems are coming from. Newton was spared further misery late in the game by Matt Rhule, who is now under immense pressure with the Panthers at 5-8 and all hopes of playoff football evaporated.” — Jones, Cat Crave"

The move to fire Joe Brady felt as though Rhule was trying to shift any blame away from him and it may have worked. It appears he’s safe in 2022 but he will start the year out on the hottest of seats.

Blaming injuries or a lack of quarterback will only carry a coach for so long. Eventually, Rhule is going to have to start proving he can get the job done.

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