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NFL Power Rankings Week 1: Latest 2016 Preseason Standings and Reaction
- Updated: September 6, 2016
The 2016 NFL season is right around the corner, which means it’s time to assess everything we’ve learned over the past couple of months and take an early look at the league’s pecking order as Thursday night’s opener between the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers approaches.
But before we break down a few of the league’s most compelling clubs, here’s a rundown of where all 32 stand entering Week 1 of the regular season:
Carolina Panthers
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The Panthers should be favored to repeat as NFC South champions for several reasons.
First and foremost, reigning MVP Cam Newton is coming off a brilliant season that saw him complete 59.8 percent of his passes for 3,837 yards, 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while running for 636 yards and 10 scores.
While those numbers may not seem sustainable on the surface, Newton will be armed with a more dynamic receiving corps this season with Kelvin Benjamin back at 100 percent one year after he tore his ACL. Factor in the evolution of Devin Funchess and the steady hands of Greg Olsen, and the Panthers offense should remain plenty potent throughout 2016.
Carolina also returns key members of its front seven, which features disruptive playmakers such as Luke Kuechly, Kony Ealy, Thomas Davis, Kawann Short and Charles Johnson.
However, there has to be a degree of concern with the Panthers’ shaky secondary after the team rescinded Josh Norman’s franchise tag and he bolted for the Washington Redskins.
As a result, Carolina now owns the NFL’s worst secondary, according to Pro Football Focus’ Matt Claassen.
“Kurt Coleman and Bene Benwikere will be the only two of the team’s top five defensive backs returning from last year,” he wrote. …
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