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I'm starting to become smitten with this offense. The Panthers went up and down the field against the Cardinals, scoring touchdowns on four of their first six possessions. Matt Rhule and offensive coordinator Joe Brady are doing a nice job of scheming up big plays, like this throwback screen to Robby Anderson. Defensively, rookies like Jeremy Chinn, Derrick Brown and Yetur Gross-Matos are beginning to find their way. This team might be frisky and fun.

They are one of the early surprises of the season. At 2-2, Matt Rhule has this team playing good football with two straight victories.

Teddy Bridgewater has added his (surgically repaired) legs to the Sunday repertoire. His 5.8 yards per rush are best figure of his career.

FPI chance to make playoffs: 17.9%

Two wins in a row give the Panthers optimism toward sliding into the final playoff spot. And that's possible in what appears to be a down year for the NFC. They have been in every game and shown improvement each week, which also is a good sign. The next four games against Atlanta, Chicago, New Orleans and the Falcons again will be key because it gets tougher after that; Carolina needs to go 2-2, at worst, and more likely 3-1 to have a chance to be relevant down the stretch. This is a young team with talent that should be playing its best during the second half of the season. -- David Newton

The Panthers have something in the pairing of Teddy Bridgewater and 31-year-old offensive coordinator Joe Brady. Carolina appeared to be in major trouble when Christian McCaffrey went down with an ankle injury in Week 2, but the offense has put up points with ease in two straight wins since the All-Pro running back was moved to IR. Bridgewater is thriving, and that 18-yard touchdown scramble -- his first scoring run since his horrific knee injury in the summer of '16 -- told the story of a player who's made it all the way back. The defense also deserves credit: After managing a league-low nine QB pressures in the first two weeks, per Next Gen Stats, the pass rush has come to life behind Brian Burns and Yetur Gross-Matos. The Panthers are certified frisky.