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NFL Atlanta Falcons

Julio Jones Will Be X-Factor For Atlanta Falcons In Week 11

By @nick_villano

Julio Jones

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

In a battle of terrible NFC South teams, the Carolina Panthers go toe-to-toe with the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday. In what will end up being the battle of two awful defenses, the Falcons better be ready to go in a shootout.

Julio Jones is usually the most important player on the Falcons, especially lately. He has four 100-yard games this season. The Falcons won three of them. Those stats speak for themselves. The team has never won when Jones had less than 100 yards. Matt Ryan needs to find him early and often if they want to leave Carolina with a win.

The Panthers have allowed 254 yards per game. They are coming off a week where they allowed over 300 yards to Mark Sanchez on Monday Night Football. It is pretty obvious Ryan is a better player. He is going to take advantage of this secondary. Melvin White, an undrafted free agent in his second season, is their No. 1 corner. Veteran Roman Harper is the best player in the entire secondary — expect a game where they get torched.

The Panthers have been much better lately at stopping the run. They held LeSean McCoy to under 20 yards on the ground. The Falcons still have no running game to speak of. They are going to be forced to throw.

The Falcons have the worst pass defense in the NFL. They are going to give up points to Cam Newton. He is going to have a much better day than he did last week. Ryan is going to have to outduel him. Jones is going to have to have a big day. If he can’t total at least 120 yards with a touchdown, it is hard to see the Falcons winning.

Somehow the Falcons are a game out of first place with three wins and six losses. No matter the circumstances, that is the situation they are in. They need to take advantage of being here by winning the games they have a chance to win. They need to lean on their star in order to do that. That is what makes Jones the x-factor in this game.

Nick Villano is the New Jersey Devils writer for Rant Sports.  He also adds to the site’s NBA, MLB and NFL content.  You can follow him on Twitter or add him to your Google circle.

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