CHARLOTTE, N.C. — You’d think breaking a seven-year playoff drought would be enough to get the facts straight. Apparently not. In the chaotic aftermath of Super Bowl LX, the Carolina Panthers find themselves in a bizarre spot: ranked fairly by some, ignored by others, and in one specific case, completely erased from the postseason record books.
The Panthers finished the 2025 season 8-9. They carried a -69 point differential. They weren’t a juggernaut. But they were the NFC South champions, and they did host a playoff game. That reality seems to have escaped CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco, who handed Carolina a solid ranking while simultaneously forgetting their biggest achievement of the decade.
The “Mediocre” Step Forward
Let’s be real: “Mediocre” was the ceiling for this team in September. By January, it was a badge of honor. Finishing 8-9 might look ugly on paper, but in the NFC South, it was enough to hang a banner.
That mediocrity represents a seismic shift for a franchise that had been dwelling in the basement. Dave Canales’ squad didn’t just stumble into the postseason; they fought for it. They upset the Rams 31-28 in Week 13—a game that proved they could punch up—and secured the division in a nail-biter against Atlanta.
The Prisco Error: Right Rank, Wrong Facts
In his post-Super Bowl power rankings released this week, Prisco slotted the Panthers at No. 16. That’s a fair assessment for a middle-of-the-pack team. But the justification included a head-scratching claim.
Prisco wrote: “They didn’t make the playoffs in year two for Dave Canales, but they made progress. Bryce Young was better at times, but consistency is an issue.”
Wait, what?
Did Prisco miss the Wild Card round? The Panthers didn’t just make the playoffs; they nearly pulled off the upset of the weekend. That 34-31 loss to the Rams was a heartbreaking shootout, but it showcased a version of Bryce Young that fans have been desperate to see. Young threw for over 3,300 yards this season, and while the inconsistency Prisco mentions is real, the playoff erasure is just lazy.
“We know what we did. We know we were there. The goal isn’t just to get a ticket to the dance next time, it’s to stay late. People can write what they want, but that experience in January? That was invaluable.” — Bryce Young, Panthers Quarterback
Ranking Roulette: From 14th to 24th
If you ignore the factual error, Prisco’s No. 16 ranking is actually a breath of fresh air compared to the rest of the national media landscape. The disrespect elsewhere has been loud.
- Bleacher Report: 14th (The most accurate take, acknowledging the division title).
- CBS Sports: 16th (Good rank, bad memory).
- ESPN: 22nd.
- FOX Sports: 24th.
Putting a playoff team at 24th is malpractice. Yes, the division was weak. Yes, the point differential was underwater. But ranking the Panthers behind teams they outperformed—and in some cases, beat—shows a lingering bias against the “small market” successes.
What’s Next: Consistency is King
The 2026 offseason isn’t about rebuilding; it’s about refining. The young core, led by Young and breakout rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan, has tasted the postseason. They know the speed required to compete with teams like the Seahawks or Rams.
Prisco was right about one thing: Consistency is the issue. If Young can stabilize his week-to-week performance and the defense can tighten up that point differential, Carolina won’t just be fighting for “mediocre.” They’ll be fighting for respect that even the national media can’t ignore.
