NFL Atlanta FalconsCarolina Panthers

Atlanta Falcons Must Focus On 3 Key Elements To Defeat Carolina Panthers In Week 17

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Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

It is not often that you see a sub-.500 team advance to the playoffs. That has been the story of the NFC South division this season. The Atlanta Falcons have scratched eliminating the New Orleans Saints off of their checklist. Now it has come down to the final week of the season and a winner-take-all game against the Carolina Panthers. There are a couple of things the Falcons need to key in on Sunday against Carolina if they want to punch their ticket to the postseason.

One of those items is neutralizing the run game for the Panthers. Atlanta did a bang-up job in that department last week against New Orleans, holding Mark Ingram to a mere 38 yards rushing. Now they just need to pick up where they left off. However, limiting an offense of the Panthers is a tall order considering they have to account for not only Jonathan Stewart, who has rushed for 352 yards in the month of December, but also Cam Newton in his ability to burn defenses with his legs. The Panthers are ranked eighth in the league in rushing offense, and their run game has been a key element in their three-game win streak in December. Knowing what is at stake, the Falcons’ defensive front along with linebackers such as Joplo Bartu and Paul Worrilow need to really go after it and take away the run game for Carolina.

Another thing that needs to happen is that Falcons’ secondary needs to provide another huge game. Cornerback Desmond Trufant must have a big game in coverage against the big Panthers’ rookie receiver Kelvin Benjamin. Size advantage for Benjamin? Absolutely. Then again, Benjamin is a matchup problem for most DBs in the league. After all he is 6-foot-5, 240 pounds. That is why the Falcons need as much safety help as possible from Dwight Lowery and Kemal Ishmael, who is absolutely balling out this year. Unfortunately, William Moore has been placed on injured reserve after re-injuring his shoulder last week against the Saints, so this might add a little more pressure for this secondary. However, if the Falcons were able to contain a big tight end/wide receiver of Jimmy Graham‘s caliber last week they should be able to replicate that effort against Benjamin.

Last but not least, that Falcons’ offensive line needs pass protect like crazy. I am pretty sure the Panthers will be dialing up blitz after blitz on Matt Ryan in order to provide him with minimal time in the pocket. Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson and his 7.5 sacks this season will require the most attention on that defensive front for Carolina. Oh yes, and of course Julio Jones and Roddy White need to both have a big game.

My expectations are not too high for the Falcons’ run game, as the Panthers have one of the better pass stopping defenses in the NFL mostly due to Luke Kuechly. Kuechly will have his typical double-digit tackle performance. Additionally, Steven Jackson has that quad injury that he suffered last week, so if he is a go it will be interesting to see how effective he can be.

If the Falcons can accomplish at least two out of the three aforementioned tasks they should be able to clinch that Wild Card spot and the division. If not there will be yet another postseason including Carolina while Atlanta sits at home.

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