Falcons-Panthers Preview

SCOUTING REPORT

Falcons out to prove they're for real at CarolinaSurprisingly, this is a battle of first-place teams in the NFC South. The Falcons have beaten Detroit and Kansas City at home, but will be looking to prove something on the road after not traveling well against Tampa Bay two weeks ago. Atlanta needs to prove it can beat a good team to build its confidence. Carolina has played a tougher early-season schedule and is coming off a physical loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Both offenses will look to establish the run, so it will be interesting to see which defense is better at stopping it. Atlanta relies on Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood to set up the passing game for rookie QB Matt Ryan. Carolina QB Jake Delhomme took a beating in Week 3 and could use some help from the run game to limit the number of times he is susceptible in the pocket. The fact that these two teams are division rivals and don't like each other only adds to the intrigue.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
ATL	11-5	391	325	7-1	4-4	3-3	8-4
CAR	12-4	414	329	8-0	4-4	4-2	8-4
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Atlanta Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Ryan 59.3 2276 16 12

Carolina Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Delhom... 57.1 1885 8 14 Moore 50.0 63 0 1

Atlanta Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Turner 165 831 5.0 10 Snelli... 62 259 4.2 3

Carolina Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Willia... 181 982 5.4 7 Stewar... 110 509 4.6 6

Atlanta Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD White 51 713 14.0 6 Gonzal... 52 583 11.2 5

Carolina Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Smith 45 599 13.3 4 Muhamm... 33 337 10.2 0

Full Player Stats: Atlanta | Carolina

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	ATL	361.0
	CAR	350.0
Yards Passing	ATL	208.5
	CAR	197.4
Yards Rushing	ATL	152.7
	CAR	152.3
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	ATL	348.3
	CAR	331.2
Pass Yds Allowed	ATL	220.4
	CAR	211.7
Rush Yds Allowed	ATL	127.9
	CAR	119.5

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Atlanta leads 10-6
Nov 11, 2007	ATL 20, CAR 13
Sep 23, 2007	ATL 20, @CAR 27
Dec 24, 2006	ATL 3, @CAR 10
Sep 10, 2006	ATL 20, CAR 6
Jan 1, 2006	ATL 11, @CAR 44
Dec 4, 2005	ATL 6, CAR 24
Dec 18, 2004	ATL 34, @CAR 31
Oct 3, 2004	ATL 27, CAR 10
Dec 7, 2003	ATL 20, @CAR 14
Sep 28, 2003	ATL 3, CAR 23
Nov 24, 2002	ATL 41, CAR 0
Oct 20, 2002	ATL 30, @CAR 0
Nov 25, 2001	ATL 10, CAR 7
Sep 23, 2001	ATL 24, @CAR 16

Last week, the Carolina Panthers were hoping the long-awaited reunion of Jake Delhomme and Steve Smith would give their offense a boost. Instead, it never materialized and they suffered their first loss of the season.

Delhomme and Smith hope to find their rhythm when the Panthers return home Sunday to meet the surprising Atlanta Falcons.

After accumulating 604 yards in winning its first two games of the year, Carolina (2-1) had just 204 in last Sunday's 20-10 loss to Minnesota.

Although the Panthers played against a solid Vikings' defense at the hostile Metrodome, most expected better in the first game Delhomme and Smith played together in 364 days.

Delhomme injured his right elbow in Carolina's 27-20 win over the Falcons on Sept. 23, 2007, and missed the final 13 games of the season after undergoing ligament-replacement surgery. Smith returned last Sunday after being suspended for the first two games for punching teammate Ken Lucas, but Delhomme and the three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver never really got on the same page.

The duo connected on a 16-yard pass on Carolina's first play from scrimmage, but did little after that. Delhomme, who has just one touchdown on the season, finished 17-for-29 for 191 yards, while Smith had four receptions for 70 yards.

The running game also never got going against Minnesota. DeAngelo Williams had 10 carries for 27 yards after rushing for 117 on 29 attempts in his first two games, while Jonathan Stewart finished with 15 yards on seven carries after gaining 130 on 24 attempts in his first two.

"There's not a phase of our team where I think we've arrived," coach John Fox said. "I think we've improved in some areas. We've still got areas to grow. I don't think there are too many coaches in the league that are ready to say they've arrived, and I'm definitely not one of them."

Penalties have also been a major area of concern for Fox, as Carolina committed 12 last Sunday. The Panthers' 28 penalties are tied for the league lead, and in the past two weeks they've been flagged for a false start 11 times.

"The false start penalties are bothersome. That's something that you should be able to fix," Delhomme said. "We had a ton here at home, which is very disappointing."

While the Panthers seem to be in a bit of a rut, their upcoming schedule should help them get on track. Carolina plays five of its next seven at home, a stretch that includes matchups against Kansas City, Detroit and Oakland.

The Falcons (2-1) have already taken advantage of playing two of those teams.

Atlanta is halfway to its win total from a year ago, but both of those victories have come at home against the hapless Chiefs and Lions.

After losing at Tampa Bay 24-9 on Sept. 14, the Falcons jumped out to a 24-0 second-quarter lead en route to a 38-14 victory over Kansas City last Sunday.

Michael Turner rushed for 104 yards and had the first three-touchdown game of his career against the Chiefs. After spending four years in San Diego backing up LaDainian Tomlinson, Turner is thriving as a lead back. He set a Falcons record with 220 yards rushing in their season-opening 34-21 win over Detroit, and has 366 yards and five touchdowns on the season.

"It wears on a defense to have running backs bounce off tackles play after play," rookie quarterback Matt Ryan said. "Michael is great with that aspect because he has the will to not go down. He has the ability to get to the secondary off broken tackles and rack up yards. It takes a toll on the defense."

In addition to trying to shut down Turner, Carolina, which is allowing an average of 113.0 rushing yards per game, will also be keyed on frustrating Ryan and getting him out of sync.

After the Falcons established their running game against Kansas City, Ryan was able to get comfortable, and finished 12-for-18 for 192 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. When Turner was limited to 42 yards on 14 attempts against the Buccaneers, though, Ryan also struggled.

Playing on the road may also hinder Ryan. He is 21-for-31 for 353 yards and two touchdowns in his two home wins, but was just 13-for-33 for 158 yards and two interceptions in the road loss.

The road team, however, has won the last five games in this series.

'Messed-up hand' limits Panthers DE Peppers

Julius Peppers' hand is a touchy subject in the secretive world of NFL injuries. Coach John Fox would only call it a "messed-up hand."

Panthers' Gross has broken right leg, not ankle

Panthers left tackle Jordan Gross broke his right leg, not his ankle, as the team first announced.

Scouts Buzz: Stafford growing up fast

Scouts Inc. examines Matthew Stafford's development, the Vikings' dynamic offense and more.

FBO: Week 11 Quick Reads

Football Outsiders apply their metrics to Week 11. Findings: Even when Wes Welker doesn't find the end zone, he's historic; Mark Sanchez isn't ready; DeAngelo Williams needs the rock more; and T.J. Houshmandzadeh may have saved Minny's season.

Falcons release suspended QB Michael Vick

The Atlanta Falcons have released quarterback Michael Vick Friday morning, team officials confirmed. The team had been seeking to trade the former star quarterback, who was suspended by the NFL after his conviction on dogfighting charges. He last played for the Falcons in 2006.

Rookie safety ready to contribute for Falcons

William Moore has a reputation as a ferocious hitter on the football field. He's intense, almost frighteningly so.

Favre, Vick pen pals: Dear Michael, Im retired

The e-mail address that you supply to use this service will only be used to send the requested article.

Vick, Humane Society 'using each other'

Michael Vick and the Humane Society are using each other, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Falcons CB Middleton injured in practice

Rookie cornerback William Middleton, a fifth-round draft pick from Furman, suffered a hamstring injury in practice on Wednesday.

Panthers become big losers - of excess weight

There's much less to see when you look at the Carolina Panthers' sideline these days.

Moore making most of shot with Panthers

The Panthers' Kenny Moore, shown with students at First Ward Elementary School on March 10, is among the candidates to enter the season as the team's No.

New fullback has Hoover a bit on edge

When it comes to locker room grief, Carolina Panthers fullback Brad Hoover gives it as well as anyone.

Brown's focus is on technique

If the Carolina Panthers were truly worried about Everette Brown's size, they wouldn't be lining him up the way they are.

Hoover doesn't plan to go without a fight

Brad Hoover was walking off the practice field Monday shortly after beating most of his Carolina Panthers teammates in a series of sprints when he told a reporter he couldn't talk until later.