Carolina's Jonathan Stewart, the 5'10" rookie from Oregon, is off to a nice start this year, a trend I expect will continue this week against the Atlanta Falcons.
Hailing from Olympia, Washington, he has racked up three touchdowns so far this season. Because Stewart is bigger than teammate DeAngelo Williams, he’s been getting most of Carolina’s touches in the red zone.
This week Carolina hosts the Atlanta Falcons.
The Falcons come into the game 2-1 on the season, having beaten the snot out of the Kansas City Chiefs last week.
The Falcons' other win came against the Detroit Lions, another stellar football club. In both these games, Atlanta was able to run the ball easily, and rookie QB Matt Ryan was never really tested.
In Week 2, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were able to stop the Falcons' run, and the young Mr. Ryan responded by completing 13/33 passes for 158 yards and two interceptions.
Believe it or not, the Falcons looked very ordinary, losing 24-9.
Atlanta's defense has also looked soft against the run. They are allowing 5.1 yards per carry and 139.3 yards per game, having allowed two runs of over 40 yards in three short weeks. Not the best.
Carolina has run the ball successfully on every opponent but the Minnesota Vikings. But let's face it: Nobody runs on Minnesota.
If the Panthers' defense is able to stifle Atlanta's Michael Turner, Matt Ryan is going to make mistakes.
Those mistakes should lead to more red zone touches for Jonathan Stewart, as well as fantasy points for the Carolina defense. I wouldn't be shocked if Stewart had a 40-yard-plus touchdown run or if the Panthers scored a defensive touchdown.
The Falcons have only played well at home against terrible teams.
This week they are on the road against a team who can play.
Rookie quarterbacks don't usually come into the NFL, go on the road, and light it up.
Look for the Panthers' defense to teach Matt Ryan a few lessons and for Jonathan Stewart to capitalize on those opportunities. I'd start them both this week.
7 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
daniel cox 9 months ago
buddy, sound observations. those two big runs are the major reason the falcons' defense has looked so poorly against the run. the numbers look worse than their performance has been. (that's not just my falcons bias.)
but you are right, the big play has killed them. they've got to make sure neither williams nor stewart break off long runs on them. pressure on jake d. is key as well. he's shown he doesn't like that.
the falcons have historically played the panthers well.
i think this game is closer than you might think.
that or it's a blow-out. one or the other....heh, how's that for prognostication?
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Buddy Smith 9 months ago
Hey Dan,
First of all thanks for reading the piece. It's nice to know that I'm not just typing into the abyss.
If the Falcons are able to run the ball and stop the run they could win. If not it should be a good day for Carolina. I agree with your close game or blowout prognostication. :) I've always found I score a lot of fantasy points by betting against the rookie quarterbacks. It's nothing personal against Tyler Thigpen, Matt Ryan, or whoever is playing in Baltimore right now...it's just a hard job that takes a while to learn.
Anyway thanks again for reading. Have a great weekend!
Buddy.
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Brian H 9 months ago
Another factor that might not be totally noticed is that its been raining for the last 24 hours in charlotte and rain is predicted for all day today, Saturday & Sunday... It may be a slop-fest out there and totally change this game's dynamics.
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Bob Baumbarger 9 months ago
Brian I just check the weather only a 30% chance of rain the today and tommarow and a high of 81 Sunday I don't think that the feild will be bad at all.Pathers win 21-17
GO PANTHERS!!
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Buddy Smith 9 months ago
True enough that does change the dynamic. Thanks for the info and the read!
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Bob Baumbarger 9 months ago
Great Article! I agreewit what you said and if our offence line shows up it will be a great game and I'll be there yelling for our team
Go PANTHERS!
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Buddy Smith 9 months ago
Thanks again. I guess now they just have to go out there and play football.
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