Here's where the Panthers stand in various power rankings following their bye week.

NFL.com

Panthers rank: 8th (5th in NFC)
Previous rank: 11th

NFC South: Saints 5th, Panthers 8th, Falcons 9th, Buccaneers 18th
This week's opponent: Jets 26th

Beyond the numbers: Elliot Harrison thinks the bye week came at a very beneficial time for Carolina with Greg Olsen and Ryan Kalil preparing to return.

ESPN.com

Panthers rank: 8th (5th in NFC)
Previous rank: 10th

NFC South: Saints 5th, Panthers 8th, Falcons 9th, Buccaneers 23rd
This week's opponent: Jets 22nd

Beyond the numbers: Two of the Panthers' losses are to the 9-1 Eagles and 8-2 Saints. The ESPN staff applauds Carolina's rushing game of late, and if they can keep it up, the sky is the limit.

CBS Sports

Panthers rank: 7th (5th in NFC)
Previous rank: 9th

NFC South: Saints 4th, Panthers 7th, Falcons 9th, Buccaneers 22nd
This week's opponent: Jets 25th

Beyond the numbers: Pete Prisco points out that the Panthers are coming off their bye with a winnable game against the Jets.

Yahoo Sports

Panthers rank: 7th (5th in NFC)
Previous rank: 10th

NFC South: Saints 3rd, Panthers 7th, Falcons 8th, Buccaneers 23rd
This week's opponent: Jets 21st

Beyond the numbers: Frank Schwab is surprised that the Panthers are minus-7 in turnover differential. No other team with a winning record is worse than minus-3. If you assume that a great defense will start to create for takeaways, this Panthers team could get even better.

Bleacher Report

Panthers rank: 5th (4th in NFC) 
Previous rank: 4th

NFC South: Saints 3rd, Panthers 5th, Falcons 9th, Buccaneers 21st
This week's opponent: Jets 23rd

Beyond the numbers: Chris Simms believes the Panthers will continue to be in the hunt for the NFC's top two seeds in the playoffs. Ever since Carolina incorporated more designed runs for Cam Newton, the offense has become much more dangerous. A lot will come down to the Panthers' meeting with the Saints in Week 13, but Simms thinks Carolina is a Super Bowl contender regardless.