2022 NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Tampa Bay melts down, Browns implode

28. Carolina Panthers

It’s hard to say anyone saw this coming. The Carolina Panthers were playing with P.J. Walker as their starter under center and facing Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They had also just traded away their best player, sending Christian McCaffrey to the 49ers.

Despite this, they seemed to have a renewed fire — probably since they got rid of Matt Rhule who didn’t like touchdowns — and won 21-3 against the Bucs. They’re still just 2-5 but believe it or not, they’re only a game out of first place in their treacherous division.

Perhaps moving on from Rhule could be what they needed to turn things around and since the South is so bad, maybe it’s not too late. Then again, this was probably just an anomaly.

27. Pittsburgh Steelers

Before their game against the Dolphins on Sunday Night Football, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin discussed his 2-4 start and said he’s climbed out of similar holes in the past. Then, the Steelers took the field and put themselves in a deeper hole.

Pittsburgh managed just 10 points on offense but the defense still held Miami to 16. They gave them two different opportunities to pull off the upset but Kenny Pickett was picked off twice, including an end zone interception when he had tons of room in front of him to run and keep the drive alive.

Now at 2-5, things look bleak for the Steelers who have more questions than answers at this point.