Panthers face shocking placement in NFL power rankings after embarrassing Week 1 loss
The Carolina Panthers are disappointed after their Week 1 loss by a score of 26-10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Bleacher Report was also disappointed in the Panthers for their season-opening defeat, placing them in dead last in their power rankings going into Week 2.
"Every bit of momentum Dave Canales and Bryce Young built late last season was torn down in roughly three hours on Sunday. The 2023 first overall pick played like he did before last season's benching, and the Carolina Panthers never appeared prepared to handle what the Jacksonville Jaguars threw at them," Bleacher Report contributor Kristopher Knox wrote.
"Now, there is still time for Canales and Young to right the proverbial ship. The Panthers did improve their roster this offseason, and Young has flashed a high ceiling in the past.
"Right now, though, Carolina might have the worst roster and the fourth-best quarterback in the NFC South. If the Panthers can't change the narrative soon, Canales and Young could both be looking for work in 2026."
The other teams in the bottom five with the Panthers are the NFC South rival New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins and New York Giants.
The Panthers didn't have a lot to like in their loss and their multiple-score defeat by the hands of another rebuilding team like the Jags isn't a good sign for what's to come.
The Panthers will have the chance to correct their mistakes in practice this week before facing off against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2.
Is Dan Vladar the Goaltending Fix the Flyers Desperately Needed?
The Philadelphia Flyers made multiple additions to their roster this off-season. Among the Flyers' newcomers is goaltender Dan Vladar, as the Metropolitan Division club signed him to a two-year, $6.7 million contract.
It was not a secret that the Flyers wanted to improve at the goaltending position this off-season. With Jake Allen re-signing with the New Jersey Devils shortly before free agency opened, Vladar was the best unrestricted free agent (UFA) goalie who hit the market. Thus, the Flyers acted quickly and scooped him up on this two-year deal.
While Vladar may not be the flashiest goalie out there, it is fair to argue that he has the potential to help the Flyers in 2025-26. The 28-year-old goaltender is coming off a solid season with the Calgary Flames in 2024-25, as he recorded a 12-11-6 record, a .898 save percentage, and a 2.80 goals-against average in 30 games. This was Vladar's best save percentage and goals-against average since the 2022-23 season.
Furthermore, back in 2021-22 with the Flames, Vladar posted a 13-6-2 record, a .906 save percentage, and a 2.75 goals-against average. With numbers like these, the 2015 third-round pick has the ability to be a solid goalie, and it will be fascinating to see if he takes a step forward with his play in a more significant role on the Flyers.
