AP Power Rankings: Panthers top AP Pro32, Broncos fall again

NEW YORK (AP) The Carolina Panthers are a perfect 14-0 on the season and a perfect 12 in the AP Pro 32 power rankings.

For the third week in a row, the Panthers received all 12 first-place votes in balloting by the media members who regularly cover the NFL.

''Even when his usually stingy defense falters, soon-to-be league MVP Cam Newton finds a way,'' said the Tampa Bay Tribune's Ira Kaufman after the Panthers' latest win, 38-35 over the New York Giants.

''Defense will not be happy after giving up 35 to Giants,'' adds NBC Sports' Tony Dungy.

Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos are stumbling. After a second straight loss, Denver (10-4) dropped four spots to ninth - the team's lowest ranking of the season. Of course, Peyton Manning has been sidelined the past five games.

''Crisis time is here for the Broncos, who lose a second straight game and now find not only their divisional title hopes in peril, but their playoff chances suddenly in question,'' says Newsday's Bob Glauber. ''Will it be Peyton Manning to the rescue?''

The Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks remained 2-3-4 after all won over the weekend. All three teams are on the rise, especially defending NFC champion Seattle.

''Seahawks look scary again,'' says' Fox Sports' John Czarnecki.

Led by quarterback Russell Wilson, the Seahawks (9-5) have won five in a row since starting the season with four losses in six games.

''No one wants to play the Seahawks right now,'' adds ESPN's Herm Edwards.

The Washington Redskins (7-7) are on a two-game winning streak for the first time since last season, and are 12th - the highest ranked team without a winning record. That leaves the 32-team league with only 11 teams with winning records.

''The Redskins control their own fate in the NFC East, but finishes with their next two games on the road,'' says Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News. ''The Redskins are 1-5 thus far on the road.''

The Tennessee Titans are 32nd.

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Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL