win over the Bengals last Sunday and are heading into an unfortunately early bye week with a lot to be happy about.NFL experts are starting to believe this team is pretty good Youth Taylor Moton Jersey , as evidenced by this week’s power rankings. Following their win over the Bengals, the Panthers find themselves in the top ten of most experts’ lists as they head into their week off.I have to say most because—as always—there has to be one hater in the group:ESPNSure, being No. 11 isn’t that bad, but come on man... can’t we have a clean sweep of the top ten for once? Here are the rankings from the better experts who place the Panthers firmly where they belong...NFL.comUSA TodaySporting NewsBleacher ReportSB NationWhat do you think Stitched Taylor Moton Jersey , Panthers fans? Are the Panthers a top-ten team? Why or why not?Discuss. Panthers coach Ron Rivera was asked about some of his aging stars yesterday, and how glad he was to get them a win in an otherwise meaningless season finale.“It was probably the best way to send Ryan and Pep on their way,” Rivera said, of Ryan Kalil and Julius Peppers Youth Curtis Samuel Jersey , via Joe Person of . “Two great Panthers. It’s kind of nice for them.”There’s only one problem with that statement. Kalil had already announced he was retiring at season’s end. Peppers did no such thing. In fact, those close to the future Hall of Fame defensive end tell PFT that he is seriously contemplating a return for an 18th season in 2019.He didn’t speak to reporters after the game, and Rivera admitted he might have been spitballing.“I’m assuming,” Rivera said. “Maybe there’s something I don’t know. So Stitched Curtis Samuel Jersey , we’ll see. I just really do appreciate who those two guys are.”The Panthers paid $5 million this year for five sacks from Peppers. That tracks along pretty well with his career production and pay, as he’s collected 159.5 sacks and made nearly $165 million in his career to do it.While his return to Carolina prior to the 2017 was seen as a last hurrah since he was returning to his home state (the Panthers drafted him second overall in 2002 out of the University of North Carolina), that isn’t necessarily the case. He’s left Carolina before (for Chicago’s free agent riches in 2010, after an ugly franchise-tag battle with the Panthers) Youth Christian McCaffrey Jersey , and might need to do it again.The Panthers are in need of a pass-rush upgrade this offseason, with or without Peppers. But Rivera speaking as if the team has moved on may mean the team has, even if Peppers hasn’t quite yet. Or, Rivera might have just been a little loose with his words. That has happened before too.Peppers’ sack total sits half a sack short of Kevin Greene for third place on the all-time list. He may try to move up a spot next year Stitched Christian McCaffrey Jersey , even if the Panthers have moved on.