Anthony Rizzuti, Panthers WireTue, November 25, 2025 at 6:30 PM UTC·4 min readThe Carolina Panthers had a chance to make a mark on the NFL landscape in Week 12—and on the prime-time stage, no less. But they ended up just crumbling under the bright lights of Monday night.
Headlined by a disappointing offensive performance, the Panthers fell to the San Francisco 49ers in a 20-9 defeat. Instead of capturing sole possession of first place in the NFC South, Carolina tripped up and became the first team this season to amass three interceptions and score less than 10 points.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSo, where has this latest letdown left them across the power rankings?
Let's take a look . . .
USA Today
Rank: 20 (-1)
Author: Nate Davis
Take: Rather than capitalize on a prime-time chance to assume first place in the NFC South, they retreated to .500 − and a continued NFC West nightmare with the Rams soon headed to Charlotte.
NFL Media
Rank: 19 (-)
Author: Eric Edholm
Take: Monday's loss wasn't a season-ender, but it certainly was a disappointment -- especially considering how well the defense played, in spite of losing three contributors during the course of the game. Jaycee Horn was enjoying one of the best outings of his career, with two massive first-half picks, before exiting with a concussion. That unit started bending late, but the offense turned three Brock Purdy INTs into an end-zone pick, a three-and-out and a field goal. Bryce Young struggled to get anything downfield until the TD to Tetairoa McMillan, and the Panthers couldn't convert the ensuing two-point attempt. Young's second pick of the game, midway through the fourth quarter, was pretty much the final nail in the coffin. It was a disappointing step backward for an offense coming off one of its best games of the season. At minus-53, Carolina's point differential isn't much better than those of the Browns (-58) and Commanders (-60), a pair of 3-8 teams.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementESPN
Rank: 20 (-2)
Author: David Newton
Take (on team's best Thanksgiving memory): This was another storybook moment for the Panthers during their 15-1 season in 2015. In their first and only Thanksgiving game, the Panthers beat the Cowboys 33-14. Only it wasn't because of eventual NFL MVP Cam Newton that the team stayed undefeated. This was because of a defense led by Luke Kuechly and Kurt Coleman, who returned interceptions for touchdowns. The unit also knocked Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo out of the game with a collarbone injury.
Pro Football Talk
Rank: 20 (-1)
Author: Mike Florio
Take: They had a chance for a statement win. It didn’t work out.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCBS Sports
Rank: 20 (-1)
Author: Pete Prisco
Take: The offensive inconsistency showed up in the road loss to the 49ers. They can't seem to build on their successes.
Sports Illustrated
Rank: 20 (-2)
Author: Conor Orr
Take: A disappointing performance by the Panthers on Monday Night Football gives the Buccaneers the slightest gasp of breathing room it desperately needs. Failing to take advantage of a series of disastrous Brock Purdy turnovers early in the game could ultimately doom what was a golden opportunity for Dave Canales and Co.
The Athletic
Rank: 20 (-2)
Author: Chad Graff and Josh Kendall
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTake: Amazingly, Monday night was [Bryce] Young’s 39th NFL start. And now, that hot streak he was on to close the 2024 season feels like ancient history. Young was bad against the Niners — 18-for-29 passing for 169 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions — and ranks outside the top 25 in both EPA per play and yards per attempt.
Bleacher Report
Rank: 20 (-2)
Author: Maurice Moton
Take: Just when you think the Carolina Panthers could be legitimate playoff contenders, they shrink under the bright lights of Monday Night Football.
Coming off a career-high 448-yard passing performance, Bryce Young threw for 169 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions, both of his turnovers on the San Francisco 49ers' side of the field, one in the end zone.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Panthers are much-improved from the previous season, and they're still in the mix to win the NFC South, but Young must find some consistency for this team to reach the next level.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: NFL power rankings: Where do the Panthers stand after Week 12 loss?
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