18. Carolina Panthers
Last week: 18th
The Carolina Panthers actually gave the Denver Broncos a really good fight on Sunday afternoon.
After firing defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, the Panthers’ beaten-up defense couldn’t hold off Bo Nix and the Broncos, who scored 26 points. It’s the third straight game for that defense giving up 26+ points.
The true star of this game for the Panthers (we know, there are no moral victories…) was quarterback Bryce Young. With a patchwork offensive line, Young was as dialed in as we have seen him this season against one of the best pass rushes in the entire NFL.
The Broncos got to him late, but Young played well enough for the Panthers to be in this game. His offensive line let him down late in the game, and that defense couldn’t hold off the Denver offense on a number of long drives.
Still, the Panthers remain right in the thick of the NFC South race with half a season left to play.
17. Houston Texans
Last week: 17th
Houston Texans: I can’t quit you.
I won’t do it. There is too much to like about this team; too much to like about this roster. The Texans went into Los Angeles and beat up on the Chargers in Week 9, so we’re not going to be presenting them with the Lombardi Trophy just yet. But the Texans’ performance against the Chargers is much more in alignment with what we’ve been wanting to see from this team all year.
CJ Stroud was absolutely locked in, throwing for 384 yards and five touchdowns. What was really great to see? Tank Dell had over 100 yards in the game and a touchdown reception. It was the first touchdown Dell has scored since the 2024 season, and that moment was huge for Houston.
The Houston defense finished with 8 sacks against the Chargers and a whopping 12 tackles for loss. This was a stat-stuffing performance, and the Texans are in exactly the same spot they were a year ago at this time: 3-5.
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