CHARLOTTE - Follow five media outlets throughout the season as their writers update their NFL power rankings, presented by Daimler Trucks North America.
ANALYSIS: "The Panthers took their first loss of the season because of a disastrous third quarter in Dallas. Carolina went into the tunnel up 14-13 at the half but was outscored 20-0 over the next 15 minutes of game time. The Cowboys' defense rattled Sam Darnold by shifting to a blitz-heavy scheme that produced a long field-goal miss, a three-and-out, then back-to-back Trevon Diggs interceptions. Darnold and the offense did well to battle back in the fourth quarter with two touchdown drives, but Dallas successfully ran out the clock with its power running game. One brutal quarter aside, the Panthers acquitted themselves well against a high-quality opponent. No need to panic."
ANALYSIS: "If anyone said they predicted before the season that Darnold would lead the NFL in rushing touchdowns (five) through four weeks, they would have been lying. Darnold had only five rushing touchdowns in three seasons with the Jets. He wasn't considered a running threat. But teams are leaving lanes open and Darnold is taking advantage. These aren't quarterback sneaks. These are read-options or QB draw-type plays (credit OC Joe Brady) that Carolina was used to seeing Cam Newton run."
ANALYSIS: "After suffering their first loss of the season against Dallas, they get five consecutive games against teams currently with one victory each. That's a soft schedule and a way to get back on track."
ANALYSIS: "The Carolina Panthers were one of the league's more surprising teams over the season's first three weeks, riding excellent play from quarterback Sam Darnold and a stifling defense to a perfect record.
However, that 3-0 start came against teams that are .500 or below a month into the season. Sunday's trip to Dallas was both Carolina's stiffest test to date and the team's first game without star running back Christian McCaffrey, who is nursing a hamstring injury.
He was missed.
Carolina's lack of offensive balance wasn't the only reason the Panthers suffered their first loss of the season. Head coach Matt Rhule told reporters he wasn't pleased with any facet of the game in Week 4.
"Our rush defense has been our sort of calling card," he said. "We were not able to stop the run today, were not able to get to the quarterback, were not able to take the ball away and our offense turned the ball over."
The setback was unfortunate, but it should also be temporary. Carolina's next four opponents have combined to win four games this year.
ANALYSIS: "The Panthers’ previously top-ranked defense collapsed against the Cowboys, giving up a whopping 245 rushing yards after not allowing more than 50 in any of their first three games of the season. If the 3–0 start was a sign the Panthers are heading in the right direction, this game was a marker they are not there yet."
Carolina is 5-7 all-time against Philadelphia, including record-setting fourth-quarter comeback in 2018 and a win in the 2003 NFC Championship game.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Oct. 21, 2018 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.
Carolina Panther Julius Peppers (90) sacks Philadelphia Eagle quarterback Carson Wentz at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb is hit by Carolina Panthers linebacker Greg Favors in the second quarter of the NFC Championship game in Philadelphia Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panther Cam Newton (1) scores a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panther Christian McCaffrey (22) carries the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panther Cam Newton (1) dives of the end zone but comes up a yard short against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) runs with the ball in the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Damaris Johnson (13) holds onto the ball as he is tackled by Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Thomas in the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Bryce Brown (34) is tackled by Carolina Panthers corner back Josh Norman (24) in the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Carolina Panthers' Jake Delhomme (17) is shown during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Injured Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick stands on the field with Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) after an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Brandon LaFell (11) runs past Philadelphia Eagles strong safety Nate Allen (29) for a 43-yard touchdown reception in the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jeff Garcia (7) is tackled by Carolina Panthers' Kris Jenkins in the second half of their football game Monday, Dec. 4, 2006 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)
Carolina Panthers' Kelvin Benjamin pulls in a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Nov. 10, 2014, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
Carolina Panthers against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers runningback Stephen Davis (48) is brought down by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Mark Simoneau (50) while Eagles defenders converge during the second half Sunday, Oct. 17, 2004 in Philadelphia.(AP Photo/Miles Kennedy)
Philadelphia Eagles defense and Carolina Panthers offense line up over the ball during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith is shown during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Carolina Panther James Bradberry (24) makes a tackle against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams (34) pushes past Philadelphia Eagles' Sheldon Brown, center, as Eagles' Jeremiah Trotter, left, follows the action during the first quarter of their football game Monday, Dec. 4, 2006, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) and DeShaun Foster celebrate victory after they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 14-3 during the NFC championship game Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) is shown during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Philadelphia Eagles' Donovan McNabb (5) falls into the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter as Carolina Panthers' Richard Marshall (31) and Quinton Teal (26) defend during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. McNabb was injured on the play. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers safety Mike Minter (30) drops the ball thrown to Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens, right, in the end zone as Panthers cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. (24) defends in the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 17, 2004, in Philadelphia. Two plays later, the Eagles settled for a field goal on the drive. (AP Photo/Miles Kennedy)
FILE - In this Dec. 4, 2006 file photo, Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme reacts after he threw to DeAngelo Williams for a touchdown in the third quarter of their football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia. The Panthers signed Delhomme to a five-year, $42.5 million extension on Thursday, April 23, 2009, that keeps their quarterback under contract through the 2014 season. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy, File)
Carolina Panthers running back DeShaun Foster (20) scores a touchdown against the defense of Philadelphia Eagles strong safety Michael Lewis (32) and linebacker Nate Wayne (54) during the third quarter of the NFC Championship game in Philadelphia Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Carolina Panthers' DeShaun Foster (20) scores a touchdown in the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles during the NFC championship game Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004, in Philadelphia. Eagles' Michael Lewis (32) and Mark Simoneau failed to contain him. Panthers' Brad Hoover (45) is visible. (AP Photo/Chris Gardner)
Carolina Panthers cornerback Rickey Manning (24) runs back an interception as Philadelphia Eagles Hank Fraley (63) pursues during the third quarter of the NFC Championship game in Philadelphia Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Kris Magnum, left, congratulates Muhsin Muhammad (87) after he scored a second quarter touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the NFC championship game Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Miles Kennedy)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme celebrates after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 14-3 in the NFC Championship game in Philadelphia Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
The Carolina Panthers play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Oct. 21, 2018 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Oct. 21, 2018 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Oct. 21, 2018 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Oct. 21, 2018 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Oct. 21, 2018 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Oct. 21, 2018 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Oct. 21, 2018 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.
The Carolina Panthers against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Oct. 21, 2018 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Oct. 21, 2018 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.
