Loading ...
Week 4 preview Falcons Vs. Panthers
The Atlanta Falcons travel to North Carolina to face a Panthers team that appears to be in the best shape we have seen in the last few years. Steve Smith is back from his suspension, Jake Delhomme is throwing the ball well and the Pathers defense appears to look stout. Rated 19th againsst the run the Falcons have a decent team to play against and so far the general concensus is not looking good for the Birds.
Atlanta is not to be underestimated though as we feature the number one runnin back in the NFL through 3 weeks at 366 rushing yards and 5 rushing TDs, in Michael Turner. Jerious Norwood is the “lightning” to Turner’s “thunder” moniker and both should provide quite a handful for the Panthers run D.
I look for Matt Ryan to control the ball and for the birds running game to wear on the Panthers defense allowing for passing lanes and completions down the field. The counterpoint to this plan is one Julius Peppers who is now playing the right defensive end “weakside” position and this provides the key match-up issue for a Falcons victory as rookie tackle Sam Baker who is coming off a concussion suffered last week plays against Peppers. This will be quite a test for Baker and the coordinators will certainly look to exploit this weekness.
I look for a Falcons win in difficult fashion. If the Falcons win they will need to blow the doors off of the D early and often and look to run the run defense down. If the Falcons offense can stay on the field then we have a shot. If the Panthers can disrupt Ryan and the Falcons potent runners then we are in for a very long day.
Falcons win 24-21
The Birds Speaks!
