Good news: at least to begin this stretch one analyst sees McMillan as a strong play. The Big Lead has McMillan ranked among the NFL's top 15 wide receivers for Week 15.

The Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints meet Sunday in a Week 15 matchup in New Orleans, Louisiana. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET.

On Wednesday night, the NFL announced the freshly-slated times for their Week 17 games. That weekend will see the Panthers host the Seattle Seahawks from Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 28 at 1:00 p.m. ET.

Josh Kendall and Chad Graff of The Athletic released their NFL Power Rankings for Week 15. The focus here are the Carolina Panthers. Dave Canales’s squad was off last week, and managed to move three rungs up the ladder from the No. 18 spot to 15th. The Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers both own 7-6 win-loss records atop the NFC South.

2. Green Bay Packers (9-3-1), NFC North leaders: They're back on top of the division and just a half-game off the conference pace. But the Pack would need to beat Denver and for the Rams and Seahawks to lose in order to rise to the top spot Sunday. Remaining schedule: at Broncos, at Bears, vs. Ravens, at Vikings

For the first time in his pro career, Panthers QB Bryce Young will be playing meaningful December football. He spoke about it on Wednesday.

Meanwhile in the NFC, the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles are floundering, the Detroit Lions might not even make the postseason and there's also no clear team-to-beat in their place, with only a single game separating the one seed and the seventh seed.

McMillan reflected on his journey to the Panthers, noting the significance of pre-draft workouts with fellow player Bryce and the little signs that pointed to his eventual place with the team.