Week 4 is in the books, meaning it is time for another depressing Carolina Panthers power-ranking roundup. 

The Panthers lost in Week 4 to the previously winless Minnesota Vikings 21-13, and the Panthers remain one of two winless teams in the NFL. The other team is the Chicago Bears. 

At 0-4, don't expect the Panthers to be climbing up any major leaderboards. So, without further delay, let's get into where the Panthers stand among the other 32 teams in the league. 

In NFL.com's Power Rankings, the Panthers dropped one spot from 30 to 31. Here is what Eric Edholm had to say. 

"I had to check the stats twice. The Panthers possessed the ball for 38:29 against the Vikings, gaining 20 first downs. Yet they only totaled 232 yards (on 68 plays!) and didn't score an offensive touchdown. The defense battled all game, but a familiar script keeps playing out. Bryce Young nipped away but couldn't finish drives and once again coughed up a critical turnover that led to points for the other side. When you look at Carolina's schedule, it's hard to see where the first victory will come. If the Panthers can keep it close in the next two road games (at Detroit, at Miami) before the Week 7 bye, it will be an encouraging development." 

In ESPN's Power Rankings list, the Panthers didn't gain any ground either. The Panthers dropped one spot, from 30 to 31. David Newton described the Panthers' biggest worry as its run defense. 

"For a unit that entered Sunday's loss to Minnesota down three starters, and then lost starting corner Donte Jackson (shoulder) in the first half, the secondary has held up surprisingly well. What the Panthers can't do consistently is stop the run. Only five teams have given up more than their 545 yards rushing. Only four are allowing more than their 4.7 yards per carry. It's constantly keeping opponents in manageable down-and-distance situations that ultimately will impact the back end of the defense."

The Athletic also had a familiar tune regarding the Panthers' recent play. They also ranked the Panthers as the No. 30 team in the league.

"Rookie quarterback Bryce Young returned to the lineup Sunday. Maybe he shouldn’t have? Young’s yards per attempt (4.9) rank 33rd in the league and his pass EPA per dropback (minus-.26) is 34th, according to TruMedia. The only time this season the Panthers have topped 17 points was when Andy Dalton filled in for Young last week."

Meanwhile, CBS Sports didn't mince any words regarding why they ranked the Panthers at No. 31. 

"They don't do enough on offense right now as Bryce Young is struggling. They are in a big hole at 0-4."

The Panthers appear as the laughingstock of the league, and it is deserved. They haven't played good football on offense, and Panthers head coach Frank Reich keeps promising that a better version of the team is close. However, close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. 

As the Panthers look at the prospects of yet another rebuild, the consensus around the NFL is that they are very far from being a good football team. And already the 2023 NFL season may be a wash. 

Team	Record	Winning percentage	Points for	Points against	Home record	Away record	Streak
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	3-1	.750	84	68	1-1	2-0	W2
Atalanta Falcons	2-2	.500	62	77	2-0	0-2	L2
New Orleans Saints	2-2	.500	62	76	1-1	1-1	L2
Carolina Panthers	0-4	.000	67	102	0-2	0-2	L4

More Carolina Panthers News

• Frank Reich encourages Panthers fans to 'keep the faith' despite team's poor start.
• Bryce Young 'frustrated' with himself after Week 4 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
• Frank Reich admits to calling a play for a player not on the field in Week 4 loss to Minnesota.