Atlanta Falcons: Beating the Panthers won’t be as easy as it seems

Let’s call it like it is, the Atlanta Falcons’ week eight opponent, the Carolina Panthers, are among the three worst teams in the NFL.

Their top two quarterbacks — who aren’t good themselves — are injured, they traded away their best player just over a week ago, they have an interim head coach, and they only have two wins this season. Nothing about them signals a team that the Falcons shouldn’t be able to beat.

However, despite all of this, they have proven that they are highly motivated and capable of pulling off an upset.

The Atlanta Falcons need to be wary of an inspired Carolina Panthers team

The Atlanta Falcons need to beat the Carolina Panthers at home on Sunday, it is as simple as that. If they win then they will be at least one game up on every team in the division, but if they lose they could end up at the bottom of the division.

The Panthers know that if they win this game, then they are in the driver’s seat in the division. They will want this game just as badly as the Falcons.

Add to the fact that their only two wins this season came against division rivals — two teams that the Falcons failed to beat — and it is safe to say that they know how to play NFC South teams. If they win on Sunday, then they will be a perfect 3-0 against division rivals and 0-4 against non-divisional opponents.

Their first win came in week three when they took down the New Orleans Saints at their home venue by a score of 22-14. Then last week they pulled off an upset over the sinking Tampa Bay Buccaneers by a score of 21-3. They simply dominated Tom Brady.

Need I remind you of it again, their two wins came against teams that the Falcons couldn’t beat. Sure, the Panthers are not a good overall team but they know how to play in the more important regular season games.

If the Falcons can pull out a win then they will have a respectable lead in the division with a favorable schedule, plus they will bury the Panthers in a hole, but if they lose they could end up back at the bottom while the Panthers celebrate a division lead.