Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers: Complete Week 11 Preview for Carolina
The Carolina Panthers (3-6-1) have six games remaining on this year's schedule. This week's opponent, the Atlanta Falcons (3-6), offer the Panthers its first realistic shot at a win since defeating the Chicago Bears back in Week 5.
A struggling Atlanta team may be what is needed to get Carolina back in the win column, as the past five games have been very brutal, and only one of those (Week 8 against Seattle) was remotely close.
The Panthers look realistically out of it, but mathematically, the team can still clinch a playoff berth. That will only happen if they can win out. The remaining stretch is very favorable, as only two of Carolina's opponents have winning records.
Carolina would like to go into their bye week with a victory because three of the remaining five games afterward are on the road. A patented Ron Rivera strong finish is desperately needed to turn things around for a team that has been dealt a lot of bad luck both on and off the field.
The I-85 rivalry is one that goes back to days when both the Panthers and the Falcons were in the old NFC West. Traditionally, Atlanta has dominated Carolina, but the Panthers have won the last three meetings. That bodes well for a team seeking its first win in over a month, but to get there, Carolina needs to play drastically better and overcome its weak spots and injuries.
Carolina Panthers Week 10 Recap
1 of 5
Week 10's prime-time game on Monday Night Football was one that Carolina would soon like to forget.
Carolina was owned on both sides of the ball and on special teams. Darren Sproles proved to be a valuable spark to the Philadelphia Eagles offense with a rushing touchdown and a punt return for a score. Mark Sanchez played a lot better than many could have predicted and the Eagles routed the Panthers 45-21.
Carolina's offensive line was an absolute failure, as it couldn't protect Cam Newton. The young quarterback was sacked a team-high nine times and couldn't seem to put anything together until the fourth quarter. By then, it was too late.
Despite Newton making adjustments and looking for the receivers (Greg Olsen and Kelvin Benjamin) who helped drive the offense earlier in the season, the shoddy defense and line play in front of him made it impossible to keep Carolina in the game.
The loss meant a wasted opportunity for the Panthers to get back into first place after the rival Saints lost the day before.
News and Notes
2 of 5
Newton's Health
Much was made about Cam Newton's health last Monday night, as it was a topic of discussion between Jon Gruden and Mike Tirico during the game—and even this writer during the live blog. The barrage of hits Newton took against the Eagles led to speculation about how healthy he really was during and after that game.
At one point in the game, he looked like he was slightly limping. Subsequent reports the day after said Newton was playing hurt. However, Ron Rivera has disputed those reports, saying Newton was fine. Per the team's official website, Rivera was quoted as saying, "He's fine. That's all I have to say on that issue".
It's difficult to contradict what the coach has to say about his quarterback because he would know better than anyone. But the offseason ankle surgery and preseason rib injury have both played a part in Newton's season, causing him to miss the first game of the season and reducing the number of times he would run the ball. Fans only need to use their eyes to see that Newton is not 100 percent.
He was run down by Connor Barwin when he would usually outrun a pursuing defensive end. Newton has stated he has been playing hurt, but he's going to be out there on the field regardless. For now, Panther Nation will have to take Rivera at his word and trust that all is well the franchise quarterback.
State of NFC South
As noted in the introduction, the Panthers still have a shot at the playoffs. The only way that can happen is if Carolina wins the division—and considering the disappointing records of every team in the division (all have losing records), reclaiming the division crown isn't nearly a steep an obstacle as it would be in other divisions.
Carolina has the easiest remaining schedule (.380) while rivals New Orleans (.420), Tampa Bay (.480) and Atlanta (.570) have slightly more difficult paths to the title.
The Saints would appear to be the only legitimate threat standing between the Panthers and a postseason bid. To overcome its rival, Carolina will most likely have to win out (including one more game against the Saints) and hope New Orleans struggles the rest of the month.
Games against the AFC North (Cincinnati, Baltimore and Pittsburgh) could generate some competition before the teams play again on December 7th. However, Carolina has been very disappointing this year and a loss to a team with a losing record could more or less spell doom for its playoff hopes.
Former Players Facing Former Teams
Thomas DeCoud and Charles Godfrey have something in common: They will be facing their former teams on Sunday. DeCoud spent several seasons in Atlanta before signing with Carolina during the offseason, while Godfrey was released earlier this season and signed by the Falcons.
Both are expected to offer some valuable insight into their former team's tendencies on both sides of the ball. Fans of both teams may experience a bit of a culture shock seeing old faces donning a rival's colors, but in this league, such things are expected.
How each player will help its new team this weekend remains to be seen, but shutting down each team's talented receivers could be a common theme.
Hurt Hog-Mollies
The news that Carolina's offensive line is experiencing another set of injuries has to be frustrating. Of course, the line hasn't been that good this year and having starters on the line missing games would prompt the most cynical of fans to quip, "Does it really matter?"
Amini Silatolu is dealing with swollen knee and he is doubtful for Sunday's game. Nate Chandler has missed practice this week but is optimistic about being on the field against Atlanta. Rivera has maintained a positive stance and said that Trai Turner would start at right guard if Silatolu can't go. Andrew Norwell could get the call at left guard if this happens, so there will be some experience on the offensive line.
Regardless of who is on the line Sunday, keeping Cam Newton's jersey clean needs to be priority one.
Injury Report
3 of 5
| Player/Position | Injury | Game Status |
| Bene Benwikere, CB | Ankle | |
| Nate Chandler, RT | Foot | |
| Jerricho Cotchery, WR | Hamstring | |
| Roman Harper, S | NFI | |
| Star Lotulelei, DT | Ankle | |
| Kawann Short, DT | Ankle | |
| Amini Silatolu, OG | Knee | |
| Jonathan Stewart, RB | Ankle | |
| Trai Turner, OG | Ankle | |
| DeAngelo Williams, RB | Foot |
Source: Panthers.com
Maybe there will be a day when none of the Carolina running backs are on the injury report. The silver lining to take from it, though, is that Stewart did practice (even if it was limited), and while Williams missed Wednesday's practice, there is nothing to suggest he will miss Sunday's game.
On the offesive line, Silatolu will most likely miss this weekend's game and will be replaced by Andrew Norwell. Fellow guard Trai Turner should be able to return to the front and the skills that made him a solid starter in college will go a long way in helping the ground game take off.
Injuries to Lotulelei and Short should be monitored because the defensive line cannot afford to take another hit. Lotulelei rolled his ankle in Philadelphia and had to be carted off the field. It wouldn't be surprising if he misses the game against Atlanta.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
X-Factors and Matchups to Watch
4 of 5
Antoine Cason and Josh Norman vs. Matt Ryan, Roddy White and Julio Jones
The Carolina secondary is not very good and, if not for the underwhelming performance of the offensive line, would be considered the team's worst unit. The Panthers may be facing a below-.500 Falcons team, but Atlanta has two quality receivers in Roddy White and Julio Jones. These guys can make Matt Ryan look like a superstar and each can be clutch.
White helped steal away from Carolina a couple years ago with a big reception that set up a Falcons field goal. The duo has combined for 100 receptions for 1,344 yards and seven touchdowns. The Atlanta running game isn't very good, so Ryan could rely on the aerial attack to move the ball. White and Jones will be instrumental in helping him do just that.
Cason and Norman will have to make smart plays and not give up free yards. Cason was the biggest violator in this area as he was flagged for pass interference against New Orleans two weeks ago. Ryan may not be as effective as Drew Brees, but he can take advantage of stupid penalties.
Carolina's Kick Coverage Team vs. Devin Hester
Carolina fans will recall how Devin Hester tormented the Panthers when he was in Chicago. Now that he is in Atlanta, he could continue to be a nightmare on special teams. At the moment, he is listed as questionable on the Falcons' injury report, but even an ankle injury may not be enough to slow the special teams expert down.
Last week, Carolina gave up a touchdown on a punt return to Darren Sproles, and a similar flaw in the coverage could come back to bite the Panthers again. Hester may not be as big a threat as he was earlier in his career, but he can still turn it on.
Carolina Backfield vs. Atlanta Front Seven
The Falcons haven't been good at stopping the run, but the Panthers haven't been great at running the ball, either.
However, having Stewart and Williams back on the field against Atlanta could open up the playbook some and take the pressure of the Carolina passing game. Stewart only has 299 rushing yards on the season, but much of that is a result of being sidelined with injuries.
If Williams plays, he could create an efficient balance between the tandem. Additionally, there is Cam Newton and even though he does not have the high number of rushing yards as he did in the past, he can still make plays happen with his feet.
Panthers X-Factor of the Week: Offensive Line
After last week's debacle, the unit needs a solid performance to rebound.
Consider this their official notice. Forget the injuries and inconsistent play in the running game and pass protection; each member of the Carolina offensive line needs to step up and win the battle in the trenches.
Without the big men up front paving the way, the offense as a whole cannot be effective or give its team a chance to win games. It's been a long time since the unit turned in a quality game. Going up against a team that ranks near the bottom in total defense could be the confidence booster that is desperately needed.
Prediction
5 of 5
As far as rivalries go, this should be a good game to watch. However, both teams have proven to be unworthy of being watched based on disappointing seasons. Carolina has not won since Week 5 and have been blown out in three of its last five games. The Falcons have had their share of woes which culminated with a 22-21 loss to Detroit—a game that Atlanta led 21-0 at one point.
What does Sunday's game hold in terms of this division rivalry?
The Panthers have won the last three games and scored at least 30 points in two of those contests. It may take a shootout to determine a victor in this one and each team features a less-than-desirable defense.
During the Ron Rivera-Cam Newton era, games between these two have been determined by 14 points or less in five of six meetings. Expect much of the same Sunday.
Carolina grinds out a tough win to keep its playoff hopes alive.
Prediction
Carolina 28, Atlanta 24
Team and player information provided by Panthers.com, ESPN.com, NFL.com and Pro-Football-Reference.com.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
