Panthers scouting report: Offensive line will have to play better in rematch vs. Falcons
A scouting report on the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons, who meet Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in Atlanta. After Ron Rivera was fired Tuesday, interim head coach Perry Fewell and the Panthers will try to end their four-game losing streak. The Panthers lost to the Falcons in Week 11, 29-3.
WHEN THE PANTHERS PASS THE BALL …
Who knows at this point. The Panthers offense may look pretty much the same or it may have a different feel with interim offensive coordinator Scott Turner calling the plays for the first time in his career. It will be interesting to see Turner in his debut, but either way Kyle Allen needs to make better decisions in Atlanta than he did the last time these two teams met. Allen threw four interceptions against the Falcons, including three within Atlanta’s 25-yard line. The Panthers limiting the pressure on Allen will be key. Carolina has allowed the fourth-most sacks this season (45), including five vs. Atlanta. They will be without rookie left tackle Greg Little (ankle) once again and tight end Greg Olsen, who is out for the first time this season (concussion). The Falcons defense only has 18 sacks (31st), but they’ve shown they can get pressure vs. the Panthers. This will be a big test for Carolina’s offensive line.
Advantage: Falcons
WHEN THE PANTHERS RUN THE BALL …
They should have success. Christian McCaffrey averaged five yards per carry the last time these teams met and he would have had more carries if things hadn’t gotten out of hand. With the poor pass protection Carolina’s offensive line has shown this year, the Panthers should try to get the running game going early on the road. The Falcons allow 108.7 rushing yards per game (16th) and McCaffrey is due for a big game after last week’s … offensive disfunction, especially on first down. Look for Carolina to run and run early.
Advantage: Panthers
WHEN THE FALCONS PASS THE BALL …
The Panthers need to try and create pressure. Matt Ryan was sacked nine times by the Saints last week and 18 times over the last three games, including three by the Panthers. With Carolina leading the NFL in sacks (46), they should be able to take advantage of the Falcons’ offensive line and get to Ryan. Wide receiver Julio Jones and tight end Austin Hooper will play for Atlanta after both missed time, which will be a big boost to the Falcons’ passing attack.
Atlanta is averaging the second-most passing yards per game (295.2) and has been effective at times, but like Carolina, has been inconsistent. Having their two playmakers back should help, but cornerback James Bradberry did a nice job overall covering Jones earlier this season. They will likely compete again Sunday. This area is the hardest to tell who has the edge because of the inconsistencies. We’ll give it to the Falcons since they won the battle the last time these teams met.
Advantage: Falcons
WHEN THE FALCONS RUN THE BALL …
There’s no reason to believe they shouldn’t have success. After Washington put up 248 yards and three rushing touchdowns on the Panthers last week, pretty much any NFL team should be able to find some room to run against this defense. The Panthers had seemingly figured out a fix for their run defense against the Falcons when they met in Week 11, holding them to 54 yards, but Carolina had no answer at all to Washington on the ground last week and has allowed 100-plus yards in all but two games this year. The Falcons have only run for 100-plus rushing yards in two games, but after last week the Panthers can’t have an edge in this area.
Advantage: Falcons
SPECIAL TEAMS
Joey Slye is coming off a perfect game for the Panthers after his fiasco in New Orleans. Making all three PATs shouldn’t really be an accomplishment, but here we are. He’ll be back in a dome Sunday, so it will be interesting to see if he has similar issues to what occurred vs. the Saints or if he is able to learn from it. On the Falcons’ side, Younghoe Koo showcased his own young kicker woes vs. the Saints last week, missing a field goal and a PAT. This could be anybody’s game, but Slye is coming off the better week.
Advantage: Panthers
COACHING
This will be the first time Ron Rivera isn’t on the Panthers sideline since January 2, 2011. No matter the precarious job situation Dan Quinn may be in, not having Rivera is a disadvantage for Carolina in this game in terms of experience and overall coaching. It will be an interesting test for interim head coach Perry Fewell, who has been in the same position before for seven games with the Bills in 2009 (finished 3-4). Scott Turner will be calling the offensive plays for the first time in his career. This will be a test for the Panthers that could go many different ways
Advantage: Falcons
PREDICTION
This was an emotional week for the Panthers. A week in which it was almost hard to remember that there was a football game happening. This may be the last game Carolina should and could win in 2019. Christian McCaffrey will have a big day. The defense will rebound some and unlike the last time these two teams met, it will be competitive. But this week has been all over the place for the Panthers, and it will show Sunday.
Falcons 24, Panthers 20
