POWER RANKINGS: Unbeaten Patriots and Panthers are 1-2
NEW YORK (AP) A last-second field goal kept the New England Patriots unbeaten, but they're no longer a unanimous No. 1 in the AP Pro 32 power rankings.
Cam Newton has his Carolina Panthers perfect, too, and they moved to No. 2 after balloting by the 12 media members who regularly cover the league on Tuesday.
The Patriots, a unanimous choice the past two rankings, received 11 first-place votes for 383 points. The Panthers took the other first-place vote for 372 points.
''Cam looks like an MVP,'' Fox Sports' John Czarnecki said in putting Carolina on top, adding ''the loss of (Julian) Edelman really hurts'' New England.
Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 54-yard field goal with 1 second left to lift the Patriots (9-0) to a 27-26 win over the New York Giants on Sunday. Carolina (9-0) defeated Tennessee 27-10.
''This team just keeps plugging along,'' ESPN's Herm Edwards said of the Panthers.
Cincinnati (8-1) lost its first game 10-6 to Houston and dropped two spots to No. 4. Arizona (7-2) moved up three places to third after a 39-32 win over Seattle. Behind the 200-yard rushing effort by Adrian Peterson, Minnesota (7-2) beat Oakland 30-14 and improved to fifth.
The Bengals were on a roll, but their offense couldn't get going against J.J. Watt and the Texans.
''Is that what we can expect from the Bengals in the playoffs?'' asked NBC Sports' Tony Dungy.
For now, ''the Bengals can focus on protecting their three-game lead in the AFC North,'' added Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News.
The Cardinals came through behind Carson Palmer, and have a three-game lead over Seattle and St. Louis in the NFC West.
''That was as impressive a win in Seattle as I've seen this season,'' Edwards said.
Cincinnati visits Arizona on Sunday night.
As for the Patriots, it was another Tom Brady last-minute drive that led to the game-winning field goal.
''Far from perfect at the Meadowlands, the Patriots manage to emerge 9-0,'' the Tampa Tribune's Ira Kaufman said.
The win came with a price. Wide receiver Julian Edelman is out for the season with a broken foot.
''The Patriots have always excelled at `next man up,' but with Dion Lewis and Edelman and multiple offensive line injuries, their reserves are getting thin,'' Jenny Vrentas of Monday Morning Quarterback said.
Buffalo is at New England on Monday night.
Denver and Green Bay both lost Sunday. The Broncos fell to No. 6, the Packers to eighth.
''Let the crisis begin,'' Newsday's Bob Glauber said. ''The Broncos will shut down Peyton Manning until he can recover from foot and rib injuries, handing the offense over to Brock Osweiler. This will not end well for Peyton.''
The Cleveland Browns are back at No. 32.
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