The Atlanta Falcons are this week’s journey to tackle the Carolina Panthers as simply as large as different video games that may include a high-profile tag.
“The massive half for us is educating all of the rookies, letting them guys know that each week within the Nationwide Soccer League is primetime,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris stated. “You bought to all the time deliver the power.”
The groups meet Sunday afternoon in Charlotte.
The Falcons (1-1) are coming off Sunday evening’s 22-6 victory at Minnesota.
“We have not performed our greatest sport but,” Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. stated.
The Panthers (0-2) shall be taking part in of their dwelling opener after losses at Jacksonville and Arizona. There aren’t any hints that the Panthers will bench quarterback Bryce Younger like they did a yr in the past following two video games.
“Clearly, there’s stuff Bryce would come up right here and say he’d like to scrub up from the primary two video games,” Carolina coach Dave Canales stated about Younger. “I am fired up with the place we’re headed.”
Falcons operating again Bijan Robinson has gained 167 yards on the bottom throughout two video games, whereas choosing up one other 125 yards on receptions.
Morris elevated Robinson’s stature this week by proclaiming him “positively the very best participant in soccer.”
“It was nice to have the ability to see the run sport going,” Penix stated. “I wish to see this offense when we’ve got the run and the go going on the similar time and see how electrical we may be.”
Whereas this would be the Panthers’ divisional opener, the Falcons have already taken a Week 1 dwelling loss to Tampa Bay, making this sport that rather more necessary.
Penix threw for 312 yards in opposition to Carolina in final yr’s regular-season finale, although the Panthers received 44-38 on a day that started with Falcons nonetheless holding hopes of reaching the postseason. He stated he expects to see a wide range of setups from the Panthers protection.
“They current plenty of various things,” Penix stated. “They obtained playmakers. They may make performs. We simply obtained to make extra.”
Carolina racked up 537 yards in that sport final January, and Younger had the very best sport of his skilled profession, finishing 73.5 % of his passes for 251 yards with three passing touchdowns and two dashing scores.
There was little circulate offensively final week for the Panthers within the loss to Arizona till late within the third quarter when dealing with a 27-3 deficit. The dashing assault stalled, managing simply 49 dashing yards.
“I wish to see that blend come alive,” Canales stated.
The Falcons want a substitute for A.J. Terrell Jr., a cornerback who didn’t apply Wednesday with a hamstring harm suffered final weekend and is taken into account week-to-week, Morris stated. Dee Alford stuffed in, however Morris would not decide to Alford’s position in opposition to the Panthers.
“We wish to have these guys go on the market and compete at a really excessive degree this week in an effort to determine who will get the very best alternative,” Morris stated, stating that Clark Phillips III is trending up as he comes off a preseason rib harm.
Defensive finish James Pierce Jr. (groin), tight finish Charlie Woerner (ankle) and receiver Jamal Agnew (groin) additionally didn’t apply for Atlanta Wednesday. Receivers Darnell Mooney (shoulder) and Jamal Washington (concussion) had been restricted together with offensive lineman Jack Nelson (calf), linebacker Kaden Elliss (neck) and security DeMarcco Hellams (hamstring).
The Panthers are retooling their offensive entrance with guard Robert Hunt and middle Austin Corbett occurring injured reserve. Cade Mays is shifting to middle to take Corbett’s spot, whereas Chandler Zavala will begin at proper guard. Mays began eight video games at that place final yr.
Canales stated Mays competed for the beginning place this season, so ought to be well-suited to be again as a starter.
“These reps are going to pay dividends for us,” he stated.
Panthers linebacker Patrick Jones II and defensive deal with Tershawn Wharton each had been held out of Wednesday’s apply as a consequence of hamstring accidents. Receiver Xavier Legette (hamstring) was a restricted participant.
The Falcons are 37-23 all-time in opposition to Carolina, with a 16-14 mark in Charlotte. The groups have break up video games in every of the previous 5 seasons.
–Discipline Stage Media
