Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons Preview
The Carolina Panthers (4-12) are set to face off against the Atlanta Falcons (8-8) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, with the game airing on CBS. The Falcons enter as favorites, currently holding an 8.5-point advantage over the Panthers. Historically, Atlanta has dominated this matchup, leading the series 37-22. Both teams have struggled against the spread this season, each recording a 7-9 record. In their last encounter on October 13, the Falcons emerged victorious with a decisive 38-20 win in Carolina.
In their most recent games, the Panthers faced a tough loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, suffering a significant defeat of 48-14, while the Falcons fell to the Washington Commanders, losing 30-24 in overtime. This week, both teams will look to bounce back and rekindle hopes for better outcomes in their respective seasons.
On the offensive side, the Panthers have struggled throughout the year, ranking 31st overall, 20th in rushing, and 31st in passing, while their scoring offense is 25th. Defensively, they sit at the bottom, ranking 32nd overall and in rushing defense, while the pass defense finds some relative success at 16th place but still struggles significantly in scoring defense, ranked 32nd. In contrast, the Falcons’ offense presents a stronger front, ranking 10th overall, with 12th in rushing and 8th in passing, contributing to their scoring efficiency, which is 16th. On defense, Atlanta combines a mid-tier performance overall, standing at 19th with a respectable ranking in both rushing (14th) and passing (19th) defense, alongside their scoring defense, positioned at 20th.
Key players to watch include Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen, who is fresh off a standout performance against the Buccaneers, recording five receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Thielen has solidified his status as Bryce Young’s primary target, accumulating three touchdowns in the last two games. On the Falcons’ side, quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has improved despite not fully clicking with his wide receivers on deep routes. However, his escaping ability in the pocket and clutch plays during crucial moments showcase the potential he brings to the field. Penix’s leadership will be essential as the Falcons aim for a victory against the Panthers, hoping for a Tampa Bay loss to secure their playoff aspirations.
A significant matchup to monitor will be Penix against the Panthers’ pass defense. Carolina’s secondary has demonstrated vulnerability, particularly with the absence of cornerback Jaycee Horn. Last week’s performance allowed Baker Mayfield to torch the Panthers, completing an impressive 27 of 32 passes for 359 yards and five touchdowns. The Panthers’ struggling defense could be a critical factor as they aim to contain Penix.
In terms of injuries, the Panthers will miss Horn (hip), and linebacker Josey Jewell (concussion), along with several other players such as OLB Amare Barno and DB Lonnie Johnson. Key Panthers like DT A’Shawn Robinson and WR Xavier Legette are questionable. On the Falcons’ side, CB Kevin King is dealing with a concussion which may keep him sidelined, while WR Darnell Mooney and other players like LB JD Bertrand face questionable statuses.
Reviewing the series history highlights that the Falcons have dominated recent encounters, winning the last three games held in Atlanta and four of the last six overall. For the Panthers, they have found the road particularly challenging under first-year head coach Dave Canales, with a record of 1-6 away from home. Quarterback Bryce Young’s statistics reflect a continued learning curve, with a record of 5-22 as a starter, yet he has thrown 12 touchdowns since reclaiming the starting role.
The Panthers also find themselves facing tough statistics, currently leading the league in points allowed this season with 496. The Falcons, meanwhile, are not only chasing a winning record but also vie for their first playoff appearance since 2017. Atlanta’s defense has been making strides, achieving three or more sacks in five consecutive games, a feat last reached in 1997. Bijan Robinson has shown flashes of brilliance with rushing touchdowns in consecutive games, while other players like LB Kaden Elliss are closing in on individual milestones.
For fantasy enthusiasts, Drake London leads the Falcons’ receiving corps, nearing the 1,000-yard mark with seven touchdowns, while Darnell Mooney is just shy of joining him with 992 yards. Both players, along with Ray-Ray McCloud, could be vital fantasy assets, given the vulnerabilities in the Panthers’ secondary.
