Carolina (4-12) at Atlanta (8-8)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
BetMGM NFL Odds: Falcons by 8 1/2
Series record: Falcons lead 37-22
Against the spread: Panthers 7-9, Falcons 7-9
Last meeting: Falcons beat Panthers 38-20 at Carolina on Oct. 13.
Last week: Panthers lost at Buccaneers 48-14; Falcons lost at Commanders 30-24 in overtime.
Panthers offense: overall (31), rush (20), pass (31), scoring (25)
Panthers defense: overall (32), rush (32), pass (16), scoring (32)
Falcons offense: overall (10), rush (12), pass (8), scoring (16)
Falcons defense: overall (19), rush (14), pass (19), scoring (20)
Turnover differential: Panthers minus-6, Falcons minus-5
Panthers player to watch
WR Adam Thielen is coming off a big game against the Bucs, catching five passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns and he remains Bryce Young’s favorite option. Thielen has three TDs in the past two games and when the Panthers need a play in the passing game it’s likely going to Thielen.
Falcons player to watch
QB Michael Penix Jr. has played better than his statistics show in his first two starts. His lack of practice time with Atlanta’s starting wide receivers showed in his inability to develop a connection on deep routes, but his ability to move in the pocket and his clutch fourth down completions late in last week’s loss at Washington are reasons for encouragement as the Falcons cling to their fading playoff hopes. The Falcons need Penix to lead a win over Carolina and have Tampa Bay lose to New Orleans in order to win the NFC South and make the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
Key matchup
Penix vs. Panthers pass defense. Penix will face a struggling Carolina secondary. Playing without cornerback Jaycee Horn, the Panthers allowed Baker Mayfield to complete 27 of 32 passes for 359 yards and five touchdowns last week. The Bucs had wide receivers running open all game as the Panthers secondary looked in disarray.
Key injuries
Panthers: Horn (hip) has been ruled out along with LB Josey Jewell (concussion), OLB Amare Barno (shoulder), DB Lonnie Johnson (shoulder/neck) and OLB DJ Johnson (personal). DT A’Shawn Robinson (neck), OG Robert Hunt (knee), OT Taylor Morton (knee), WR Xavier Legette (hip, wrist) and RB Miles Sanders (ankle) were listed as questionable.
Falcons: CB Kevin King (concussion) is unlikely to return. WR Darnell Mooney (shoulder), LB JD Bertrand (eye) and DL Brandon Dorlus (abdomen) are listed as questionable.
Series notes
The Falcons have won the past three meetings in Atlanta and four of the past six overall.
Stats and stuff
The Panthers are 1-6 on the road under first-year head coach Dave Canales. … QB Bryce Young is 5-22 as an NFL starter. Since returning as the team’s starter in Week 8 against the Broncos, Young has completed 172 of 285 passes (60.4%) for 1,853 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. His 13 completions of 25 or more yards are his most in a eight-game stretch in his career. He has also rushed 38 times for 225 yards and four touchdowns since Denver. Young’s 16 total touchdowns are a career high. … Sanders, who has not played for the Panthers since Nov. 10, was a full participant on Friday and could get the start against the Falcons. … OLB Jadeveon Clowney needs three tackles for loss to reach 110. He ranks 12th among active players in tackles for loss. … The Panthers have allowed an NFL-high 496 points this season. … The Falcons are playing for their first winning record and playoff berth since 2017. … Atlanta’s defense has had three or more sacks in five consecutive games for the first time since 1997. The defense had five sacks last week against Washington. … Bijan Robinson has rushed for two touchdowns in two straight games. The most recent Falcons player to post back-to-back games with multiple rushing touchdowns as Devonta Freeman in 2016. … The Falcons’ 198 rushing yards in their first meeting with the Panthers is their high mark of the season. … LB Kaden Elliss needs 10 tackles to reach 150 for the season.
Fantasy tip
Drake London leads Atlanta’s receivers with 90 catches for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns. Darnell Mooney could join London in the 1,000-yard club this week. Mooney has 64 catches for 992 yards and five touchdowns. London, Mooney and No. 3 target Ray-Ray McCloud deserve fantasy consideration against the Panthers pass defense.
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