The winner takes it all. It’s going to take the full 17 weeks of the 2014 NFL regular season to crown the NFC South champions. The Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons meet in an all-important clash with a playoff appearance on the line.
Can the Panthers ride the momentum of their three-game win streak? Read on as we breakdown what is essentially the NFC South Championship game.
For more on the on-going playoff race, check out our previews for the Browns vs. Ravens and Chargers vs. Chiefs.
It’s been a rocky season, but the 6-8-1 Carolina Panthers are poised to repeat as NFC South champions. The Panthers took sole possession of first place in NFC South after their 17-13 win (their third straight) over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
Cam Newton threw for one touchdown and ran for another against the Browns. Meanwhile, running back Jonathan Stewart had 122 yards on 24 carries. Newton and Stewart make for a devastating running attack, which racked up 209 yards Sunday. Having the Panthers’ running game rolling will be important considering the Falcons have allowed the most rushing touchdowns in the league (20) this season.
[sc:NFL240banner ]To thoroughly take advantage of the Falcons’ porous defense—Atlanta has allowed 404.4 total yards per game, dead-last in the league—the Panthers also need to open up on their passing game. Rookie receiver Kelvin Benjamin had a big game in a 19-17 loss to the Falcons in Week 11, catching nine passes for 109 yards and a score.
Benjamin should be able to provide Newton with his best option in the passing game. Newton threw for 292 yards and two touchdowns in Week 11, but was also picked off two times.
Tighter defense has also helped the Panthers in their three-game win streak. They’ve allowed an average of 275 yards per game, way below their season average of 343.3. The Panthers’ defense has been able to force turnovers with linebacker Luke Kuechly and cornerbacks Josh Norman and Bene Benwikere all having interceptions in the three-game run.
Kuechly, Norman and Benwikere should be able to give the threat of the interception especially after Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan threw four picks in the past five games.
The Panthers are 4-1 ATS in their last five games against Atlanta.
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Betting on the Atlanta Falcons
Big games from Matt Ryan and Julio Jones led the Falcons to a 30-14 rout of New Orleans on Sunday. Ryan passed for 322 yards and a touchdown on Sunday. He avoided throwing an interception for the first time in a five-week stretch and avoided being sacked. Ryan connected with Jones on seven passes for 107 yards.
Jones has 555 yards and two touchdowns in the past three weeks, but had one of his most unproductive games (five catches for 59 yards) against Carolina in Week 11. Ryan also had his lowest output over the past six weeks against Carolina, passing for 268 yards with a touchdown. However, Ryan has now passed for over 300 yards in four straight games.
Atlanta’s defense entered Week 16 as statistically the worst in the league, but they didn’t play the part with their season on the line Sunday. The Falcons recorded a season-high five sacks. Defensive end Osi Umenyiora closed the game with an 86-yard score on a fumble recovery following a strip-sack on Drew Brees.
The secondary also had a big game. Cornerback Robert McClain, thought to be the weak link in the secondary, came up with a crucial interception in the fourth quarter which led to a field goal. Meanwhile, strong safety Kemal Ishmael forced a fumble and recovered at the start of the fourth quarter.
The same defensive showing from Atlanta could have them running away with the NFC South title and a playoff spot. Carolina has averaged 1.5 giveaways per game this season.
The Falcons are undefeated against NFC South this season.
Writer’s Prediction
The Panthers repeat as NFC South champs. Take Carolina to win and cover on the road.
