A key divisional matchup will be heading our way in Week 14 as the Carolina Panthers host the Atlanta Falcons in a pivotal NFC South encounter. Both teams are desperate for a win to keep their flickering playoff hopes alive. Here's a breakdown of the Falcons vs Panthers clash.
Atlanta Falcons enter Week 14 as +2.5 underdogs
The Atlanta Falcons dropped to 5-7 for the season after a tough 30-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 13. It was another disappointing performance by the Falcons, who have now lost five home games this season. They trail the reigning Super Bowl champions by four games in the NFC South standings heading into Week 14.
The Falcons will look to get their season back on track this coming Sunday when they travel to Charlotte to face the Carolina Panthers. For the Falcons to grab the all-important win, they must continue making strides in running the football.
The Falcons are ranked 27th in the NFL in rushing offense, averaging just 88 yards per game this season. However, they have made a concerted effort to run the football in the past two games, rushing for 270 yards on 52 carries during that stretch. They ran for 149 yards in the win against Jacksonville and gained 121 yards on the ground in the loss to Tampa Bay.
Cordarelle Patterson is expected to be the focal point of the Falcons' attack in Week 14. He leads the team in rushing with 489 yards, including a 108-yard performance against the Jags. Patterson also ran for two scores in that contest.
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Carolina Panthers installed as -2.5 favorites
Carolina's losing woes show no sign of abating as the Panthers crashed to their second consecutive defeat with an embarrassing 33-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. The Panthers had no answer for Jaylen Waddle, who caught nine passes for a season-high 137 yards and a touchdown.
Like the Falcons, the Panthers have a 5-7 record and are in danger of missing the playoffs again. With their season hanging in the balance, the Panthers decided to make a coaching change, with offensive coordinator Joe Brady getting the sack ahead of Week 14.
Head coach Matt Rhule finally lost his patience with Brady, who was reluctant to call run plays for Carolina. The Panthers only had 18 carries in the Week 13 loss to Miami. Rhule wants Carolina to run the football at least 33 times per game. To help address that issue, the Panthers will have running backs coach Jeff Nixon as their play-caller for the remainder of the season.
The Panthers will not be making a quarterback change despite the poor showing of Cam Newton in Week 13. He was horrendous in the loss to the Dolphins, passing for just 92 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. Newton finished with a QBR of just 5.8, the worst of his career.
Writer's Prediction
Atlanta wins this key NFC South matchup.
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