12. Carolina Panthers (4-2) – BYE
Recap: Winners of three straight games going into Week 6, the Carolina Panthers sought revenge against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team that already handed the Panthers a loss earlier in the season. Well, the Panthers got revenge and then some on the strength of another solid Kyle Allen performance and a defensive effort that led to seven turnovers (six from Jameis Winston) and seven sacks. Interestingly enough, the Panthers barely needed anything from perhaps the best player in the NFL right now, Christian McCaffrey, in their win across the pond.
Outlook: Following their win in London, the Panthers got a much-needed rest in Week 7 with the bye. As the season moves along and Cam Newton gets healthier, the Panthers will have a tough decision to make. Do they stick with Allen, who has won the team four straight games and revived Carolina’s season? Or do the Panthers go back with Newton, the team’s supposed franchise quarterback? It’s one of the more interesting storylines this season, and it’s one that might not be answered before Carolina’s Week 8 game against the San Francisco 49ers.