Falcons vs. Panthers: Three players to watch this week

These three players are candidates to make big plays against the Panthers.

This week we look ahead at our next opponent, the Carolina Panthers and what they can bring to the table against their divisonal foe.

Last week the Atlanta Falcons not only faced the Philadelphia Eagles, but also faced multiple injuries as well.  Starting MLB Deion Jones left the game with what came to be a foot injury, he has since been placed on the IR.  As well as starting safety Keanu Neal, who also left the game last week early with a torn ACL, both players have been placed on the injured reserve with only Jones having the posibility of returning later this season.  Starting running back possibility Freeman has also been ruled out against Carolina with a knee injury, this comes just days after Jones and Neal were put on the IR.

The Falcons will look to bounce back this week against the Panthers after a tough low scoring contest to the defending Super Bowl Champion Eagles.  We’re going to take a look at a few guys that will be making an impact on this weeks game.

FIrst of all, if the Falcons want to bounce back this week, they’ll need to contain Cam Newton, keep in the pocket and don’t let him get into open field.  Newton has been known to rush for many yards in his career in the NFL.  With Jones and Neal out, Atlantas defense cannot let up.

Another Panthers player to watch this week is Christian McCaffrey, McCaffrey was a stat machine at Stanford, accounting for 75 percent of their teams yards per game including; rushing, receiving, and return yards.  McCaffreys a very versatile player, running the ball and catching the ball, Falcons defense will need to contain him as well.

As for the Falcons, the player to watch will be Matt Ryan, last week he was off to a shakey start, looking lost on the very first offensive play of the game,  Ryan is a verteran quarterback and he needs to show it this week, Carolina brings a poised and hungry defense.  Matt Ryan will need to stay strong in the pocket and make good clean strong throws, last week Julio Jones had a pretty good game with ten catches for 170 yards, but no touchdowns.  Finding multiple receivers is something Ryan needs to work on too, Jones wont be open every play, I’d really like to see him make some more throws to Mohammad Sanu and Calvin Ridley as well as Austin Hooper, Falcons starting TE.

This is your game day three players to watch in this Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers.  Be on the lookout for each of them to try and make an impact for their perspective teams.