By Shawn Clarke, Contributing NFL Editor
(SportsNetwork.com) – The Atlanta Falcons finally found success on the road.
It remains to be seen if they can sustain it when they visit the Carolina
Panthers Sunday in a battle between NFC South foes at Bank of America Stadium.
The Falcons defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 27-17, on Sunday and ended a
five-game losing streak. It was Atlanta’s first win since a 56-14 demolition
of the Bucs on Sept. 18 at the Georgia Dome.
Steven Jackson ran for a season-high 81 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries
for a Falcons team that is 24th in rushing with 97.2 yards per game. The
Falcons had 110 yards on the ground and Matt Ryan threw for 219 yards with a
touchdown and an interception.
“This was a team win across the board because everyone contributed to this,”
said Atlanta head coach Mike Smith. “We still have some ground to make up, but
it starts with this victory.”
Julio Jones caught eight passes for 119 yards and Roddy White ended with six
receptions for 72 yards and a score. White needs 73 yards for 10,000 in his
career and has five touchdowns and 461 yards in the last four games against
Carolina.
White needs three touchdowns to pass Michael Turner (61) for the most TDs in
franchise history. Jones is 147 receiving yards short for his second career
1,000-yard season.
Atlanta, which improved to 3-0 in division play, is second in the NFC South
despite a losing record at 3-6, but the New Orleans Saints lead the division
with a 4-5 mark. Carolina is third at 3-6-1.
Ryan said it’s exciting to still be in the mix in the NFC South in November.
“We’ve got everything we want right in front of us,” Ryan said.
Falcons wide receiver and special teams star Devin Hester suffered an ankle
injury against Tampa Bay and is day-to-day. Wide receiver Harry Douglas is
nursing a foot injury and should be healthy enough to contribute.
The last time the Falcons won two straight road games was in 2012. They are
seventh in passing yards (272.4), eighth in total yards (369.7) and 13th in
points scored with 24.3.
Carolina is on a short week after it was manhandled, 45-21, Monday night
against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton didn’t look like himself and passed for 306
yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Newton was sacked a
franchise-record nine times and appeared injured during some moments.
“He’s fine,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. “That’s all I have to say on that
issue.”
Newton, of course, entered the season after ankle surgery and a preseason rib
fracture. He managed to run for six yards on two scrambles for Carolina, which
committed five turnovers on the night, including two on the first two
possessions.
“We can’t expect to win football games starting out like that,” Newton said.
“We put a lot of stress on our defense with excellent field position for them
with back-to-back turnovers. I should have done a better job by checking the
ball down or throwing the ball away.”
Newton said he’s not playing “good ball” right now and the Panthers have to
put a better product on the field. Getting the offense going early against the
Falcons is imperative, according to Newton, who reiterated to the media that
questions surrounding his health wouldn’t exist if the team was winning.
Tight end Greg Olsen and rookie wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin were the lone
bright spots in south Philly. Olsen caught six passes for 119 yards and
Benjamin finished with three catches for 70 yards and two scores.
The Panthers have lost four in a row since their tie with Cincinnati on Oct.
12, but still have a shot at repeating as NFC South champions. They are 18th
in points scored (19.8), 19th in passing yards (225.4), 25th in total yards
(320.8) and 27th in rushing yards (95.4).
Carolina’s defense was shaken up a bit Monday night, as defensive tackle Star
Lotulelei left with an ankle injury and an MRI came back negative. His
availability for Sunday’s game is unknown and may rest with the bye afterward.
“It’s not a high ankle sprain, which is good thing,” Rivera said. “The way it
was explained to me was that it was kind of like one you would get on a
basketball court.
“He’s a big guy, and big guys tend to be a little bit slower on ankle sprains,
but this is a low ankle sprain as opposed to the high ones, which are the
worst ones.”
Rivera said defensive end Charles Johnson hyperextended his elbow in the first
quarter. Johnson was able to return and should be fine for Atlanta coming in.
“It’s just sore, but he should be fine,” Rivera said. “Plus, he loves playing
Atlanta.”
Johnson has eight sacks in the last six meetings with Atlanta and nine in 12
career games. The Falcons lead the all-time series with the Panthers, 23-15,
but have lost the last three meetings following a five-game win streak.
Smith owns a 7-5 record against the Panthers and is 21-18 against division
opponents since 2008.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Both the Falcons and have Panthers have struggled on defense this season, so
Sunday’s game could come down to who makes the most mistakes. Carolina learned
that against the Eagles.
If Newton can shake off some rust and get more protection, the Panthers will
be in good shape to stay within striking distance of the Saints in the NFC
South. That’s easier said than done because Atlanta will pin its ears back
Sunday in hopes of getting to the quarterback often.
Last week against the Bucs, the Falcons produced a season-high four sacks and
added three takeaways. Defensive ends Osi Umenyiora and Kroy Biermann each
posted 1 1/2 sacks and safeties Dwight Lowery and Kemal Ishmael both had an
interception of Josh McCown.
“Kroy probably had his most productive game of the season,” Smith said. “Of
course, anytime when you win you have players that are recognized, and he was
one of the players that was recognized with his performance. Not only against
the run, he set the edge a couple of times and didn’t allow the ball to get
outside. He put some pressure on the quarterback.”
McCown is definitely not like Newton, a big, strong presence in the pocket.
Sunday’s game is important for both division foes with the current situation.
“Anytime the Panthers, with our proximity, anytime we get together it’s
usually a dang barn-burner, and I anticipate it will be,” Smith said. “We’re
looking forward to trying to continue playing well in our division because we
know in the long haul that’s what we’ve got to do; we’ve got to take care of
our division first.”
The Panthers are 23rd against the run (122.4) and pass (254.4), 25th in total
yards allowed (376.8) and points allowed (28.1). They have allowed more than
25 points six times this season, and will see a steady dose of White and
Jones. Jackson had 94 yards from scrimmage in the last meeting on Dec. 29, but
Carolina allowed a season-low 37 rushing yards on 23 carries Monday night.
Atlanta’s defense is much worse. It is 24th in both rushing yards allowed
(124.0) and points allowed (26.4), 31st in total yards (404.8) and last in
passing yards (280.8). Benjamin and Olsen could give the Falcons fits Sunday.
Benjamin leads all rookies with 659 yards and seven TDs.
OVERALL ANALYSIS
This is an important game for both NFC South foes and the Falcons will come
out on top because they’re playing better at the moment and don’t have too
many injury concerns.
Ryan has thrown for 3,017 yards with 20 TDs to 10 INTs in 10 career games
against the Panthers. He also has two of the more talented wide receivers in
the game. If Atlanta has any hopes of making a playoff run after a disastrous
2013 campaign, winning has to continue in Carolina.
Atlanta is known for its struggles on the road, but something is currently
wrong with the Panthers.
Sports Network predicted outcome: Falcons 24, Panthers 21
