NFL Picks Week 6: Carolina Panthers Will Pile on Reeling Atlanta Falcons

It's going to be quite a battle down in Atlanta. 

The 1-4 Panthers travel to the 2-3 Atlanta Falcons. The Atlanta Falcons, who won the division last year, are struggling this season as their offense cant seem to get on track.

The Carolina Panthers are slowly improving as Cam Newton has been a revelation. The Panthers in reality are better than their record. I believe that the Panthers will beat the Falcons at the Georgia Dome, and here are four reasons why. 

Cam Newton Is the Real Deal

Cam Newton is the real deal. 

Throughout his first five games, Newton has thrown 1,610 yards and has an QB rating of 84.3. He also has seven touchdowns and six interceptions. When was the last time you have seen these kind of numbers in a rookie quarterback?

This is the first time he will face the Falcons in his career and he has an advantage. The Falcons defense allows 26 points per game and 294.5 passing yards. In case you are wondering, Cam Newton throws for 346 yards per game.

Look for Cam to air it out. 

DeAngelo Williams Has a Chip on His Shoulder

DeAngelo Williams has not been doing well lately. Maybe last week was the game that could turn his season around.

Last week against the Saints, he ran for 115 yards on nine carries. Ever since he returned in week two, his rushing yards per game have been going up. He is overdue for a solid performance. If I was Cam Newton, I would hand the ball to Williams 15 to 20 times in this game.

Williams is a very talented player who deserves to be more involved in the offense. He's up against a tough Falcons run defense, but I believe that he will rush for over 100 yards against them. 

Also the Falcons defense cannot tackle. That's a plus for Williams.

Steve Smith Will Step Up

Throughout his career, Steve Smith has been a playmaker for the Panthers. In his career against the Falcons, he has 66 receptions for 875 yards with five touchdowns. Expect Smith to have a huge game against the Falcons. 

And to think, he wanted to leave Carolina. He is ranked second in the league in receiving yards.

Defense Will Play Its Best Game of the Season and Will Make a Statement

When Jon Beason was lost for the season, everyone thought the Panthers defense was done and they were going to get lit up by every team in the league. The defense has really steppd up its game. In each of last five games, the Panthers lost by 10 points or less.

The Panthers defense may not be the Pittsburgh Steelers defense, but so far this season they are playing it close to the chest. I expect the defense to be tough against an Atlanta Falcons offense that has been mediocre so far. 

Thanks for reading.