Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons - Week 11 Preview
This Sunday, the Panthers (5-5) travel to face their divisional rival, the Falcons (3-6), at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, a major NFC South matchup with divisional implications.
In their Week 3 matchup, the Panthers shocked the world by defeating Atlanta 30-0, cementing their dominance on both sides of the ball as Bryce Young managed the game well with 121 passing yards while both Chubba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle had a combined 103 rushing yards.
That game was not only their first win of the season, but it also solidified Carolina’s approach by scoring early and taking advantage of what the defense gave them. Yet, while we’re approaching the back end of this NFL season, the Panthers are still a middle-of-the-pack team and nowhere near a championship contender.
Storylines
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The Panthers are looking to rebound from a 17-7 home loss to the New Orleans Saints, where their offense struggled to find any rhythm.
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The Falcons, meanwhile, are coming off an overtime defeat in Berlin against the Indianapolis Colts, and seek a bounce-back win as they try to finish their season strongly.
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Historically, this rivalry has favored Atlanta, as the Falcons lead the all-time series 37–24.
Key Players to Watch
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For Atlanta, Bijan Robinson remains the engine of their offense; he averages roughly 75 rushing yards per game and also contributes as a receiver, deepening the Falcons’ offensive arsenal.
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For Carolina, Bryce Young’s ability to avoid mistakes will be pivotal. His passing numbers have been under scrutiny for weeks now, and the Falcons’ defense is capable of applying heat.
X-Factors & Matchup Notes
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The Falcons’ pass rush has improved: edge players like Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. have been making plays, which could complicate Carolina’s offensive line and Young’s pocket time.
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Carolina’s offense must establish a ground game and get through third-down struggles if they wants to avoid another stagnant outing and another loss. The Panthers averaged just 124 passing yards in their game with New Orleans.