Falcons (5-7) at Panthers (5-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
TV: Fox
Tipico Sportsbook line: Panthers by 2 ⁄2
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Falcons’ keys to victory: With offensive coordinator Joe Brady suddenly out of the picture, head coach Matt Rhule’s offensive vision for the Panthers will likely see them run a lot more often. Coincidentally, Carolina’s best rushing performance of the season (203 yards) came against Atlanta in Week 8. The Falcons’ defense, even without the prospect of facing star RB Christian McCaffrey, must keep the ground game in check and force QB Cam Newton to throw as he returns following a putrid Week 12 performance in Miami.
Panthers’ keys to victory: Newton should have a much cleaner pocket compared to that debacle against the Dolphins. A particularly feeble Panthers offensive line will be helped out by an even more feeble Falcons pass rush, which ranks last in sacks (15) on the season. If this front can keep their quarterback upright and provide some push in the running game with RBs Chuba Hubbard and Ameer Abdullah, Carolina will have a decent chance to control the pace of this one.
Matchup to watch: Falcons TE Kyle Pitts vs. Panthers CB Stephon Gilmore. That previous Week 8 matchup also saw Gilmore, who implored coaches to stick him on Pitts in his team debut, lock up the rookie phenom. One of those missed targets ended up in Gilmore’s hands for the game-clinching interception.
Who wins? Brady is already out, and other seats in Carolina are getting hot. Still, Rhule and the Panthers figure out a way to get a win and stay in the playoff race.
Panthers, 20-13
Anthony Rizzuti, Panthers Wire