Panthers-Falcons Preview

SCOUTING REPORT

Panthers poised to end Falcons' division hopesThe Falcons, who trail the Panthers by two games in the NFC South, need a win to stay in the thick of the playoff hunt. By picking off a division rival on the road, Carolina can take a big step toward its goal of winning the division. Both teams' coaches rely on similar formulas for success: run the ball, play good defense and capitalize on field position with solid special teams play. The Panthers have taken care of business against lesser competition in recent weeks, but the Falcons are a tough opponent (especially playing in the Georgia Dome) with plenty to lose.

· Full Scouting Report

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

Individual Leaders

Carolina Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Delhom... 55.5 2015 8 18 Moore 61.6 1053 8 2

Atlanta Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Ryan 58.3 2916 22 14 Redman 58.0 781 4 3

Carolina Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Stewar... 221 1133 5.1 10 Willia... 216 1117 5.2 7

Atlanta Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Turner 178 871 4.9 10 Snelli... 142 613 4.3 4

Carolina Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Smith 65 982 15.1 7 Muhamm... 53 581 11.0 1

Atlanta Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD White 85 1153 13.6 11 Gonzal... 83 867 10.4 6

Full Player Stats: Carolina | Atlanta

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

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Atlanta leads 10-6
Sep 28, 2008	CAR 24, @ATL 9
Nov 11, 2007	CAR 13, @ATL 20
Sep 23, 2007	CAR 27, ATL 20
Dec 24, 2006	CAR 10, ATL 3
Sep 10, 2006	CAR 6, @ATL 20
Jan 1, 2006	CAR 44, ATL 11
Dec 4, 2005	CAR 24, @ATL 6
Dec 18, 2004	CAR 31, ATL 34
Oct 3, 2004	CAR 10, @ATL 27
Dec 7, 2003	CAR 14, ATL 20
Sep 28, 2003	CAR 23, @ATL 3
Nov 24, 2002	CAR 0, @ATL 41
Oct 20, 2002	CAR 0, ATL 30
Nov 25, 2001	CAR 7, @ATL 10
Sep 23, 2001	CAR 16, ATL 24

Carolina has been winning ugly against bad teams in recent weeks, but there wasn't much to criticize about the Panthers' performance when they met the Atlanta Falcons in September.

In a matchup with one of their top competitors in the NFC South, the Panthers look to win their fourth straight road game against the Falcons when the teams conclude their season series Sunday.

Carolina (8-2) has won four in a row, leads the NFC South and appears to be in excellent position to end a two-year playoff drought. Though the Panthers have the third-best record in the NFL and have surpassed last season's win total, some are wondering how good they really are after barely managing to beat Oakland and Detroit the past two weeks.

Carolina defeated the winless Lions 31-22 on Sunday despite holding the ball for less than 26 minutes. The Panthers had the ball for less than 23 minutes in a 17-6 victory over the Raiders the previous week.

Carolina completed 17 passes combined in those two games, with three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Steve Smith getting held to seven receptions for 68 yards.

The Panthers' running game was dominant against Detroit and Jake Delhomme was turnover-free after throwing four interceptions against Oakland, but Carolina needed all of its team-record 264 rushing yards to overcome a suspect defensive performance.

Against Oakland, it was the Panthers' defense that bailed out a struggling offense.

"There are really not too many phases of our team right now where I think we've arrived," Carolina coach John Fox said.

The Panthers have allowed at least 130 yards on the ground in each of the last two games, and Lions rookie Kevin Smith rushed for 112 yards. He was just the second player to reach the 100-yard rushing mark against Carolina this season.

When the Panthers hosted the Falcons (6-4) on Sept. 28, however, Fox couldn't have had many complaints. Carolina held Atlanta's Michael Turner -- at the time the NFL's leading rusher -- to 56 yards on 18 carries, and the Panthers outgained the Falcons 401-268 in a 24-9 win.

Carolina, which leads Atlanta by two games in the division, has won three in a row on the road against its rival. The Falcons' last home victory against the Panthers came Dec. 18, 2004 by a 34-31 score.

One area of mild concern during September's lopsided win over Atlanta was Carolina's problems running the ball, as it averaged 3.2 yards on 33 attempts. The Panthers are averaging 4.4 yards per carry on the season and rank sixth in the NFL in rushing with 133.7 yards a contest.

Against Detroit, Jonathan Stewart rushed for 130 yards and a touchdown and DeAngelo Williams added 120 yards and two scores. The dominant ground game is something the Panthers had been trying to re-establish since Stephen Davis led Carolina to the Super Bowl five years ago.

While the Panthers have had success running the ball, Turner has continued to produce for the Falcons. He ranks third in the league with 971 rushing yards and has nine touchdowns.

Turner scored twice against Denver last week, but Atlanta lost 24-20. The defeat was the Falcons' first in five games at the Georgia Dome, where they have outscored opponents 148-99.

One of Turner's TDs came on a 28-yard run, but he gained just 81 yards on 25 carries with the Broncos stacking the line and daring rookie quarterback Matt Ryan to pass. The strategy worked, as Ryan threw an interception and didn't have a TD pass for the first time in six contests.

Falcons coach Mike Smith said his team has faced more eight- and nine-man fronts in recent weeks.

"People do not want us to be able to run the football," Smith said. "They're going to do anything they can to stop the run and force us to be one-dimensional and throw the football."

Ryan has had a strong first season, completing 59.7 percent of his passes for 2,159 yards with 11 touchdowns and six interceptions, but he turned in one of his worst games last week.

"We've got to recognize what the defense is doing to us and make adjustments," Turner said.

Atlanta needs to bounce back quickly, with three of its next four games against division opponents.

"We still control our own destiny," Falcons offensive tackle Todd McClure said. "We play them all one more time. We've just got to make it happen and then let the chips fall where they may."

Peppers: Long-term deal with Panthers off table

Julius Peppers no longer wants a long-term contract with Carolina, saying the Panthers have ignored him this offseason.

Owners talk labor situation; status quo reigns

NFL owners have met for several hours to discuss the labor situation, although it appears they are no closer to reaching an agreement with the players' union for a new collective bargaining agreement.

St. Jude Children's Hospital

The auction for the Alice in Chains Fantasy Football Charity League has kicked off and you have until Feb. 11 to bid on some amazing items and help St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Kiper: Answering reader mail on picks, stock and the draft

Mel Kiper answers piles of mail on numerous topics. He discusses why Tim Tebow's bad performance might not kill his stock, why the Giants may consider an RB in Round 1, whether Rex Ryan should grab a CB and much more.

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.

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.