CHARLOTTE – When we first met our friends down I-85 in October, the Falcons had won three of four with a +8 scoring margin in those games.
Since losing 19-13 to Carolina in Week 8, Atlanta has gone 2-3 with a -69 scoring margin.
Atlanta, like Carolina and so many other NFC teams, sits at 5-7 and teetering between a run at a wild card spot or a Top 10 draft pick.
Carolina has only won two home games against the Falcons dating back to 2013, and Cam Newton figured largely in each of those wins (2015, 2017). How he matches up against his hometown team on Sunday will be important to watch.
SLOW PASS RUSH
Speaking of Newton, he’ll be hoping to stay more upright against the Falcons after the bye.
Atlanta barely touched Tom Brady in their loss last week to the Buccaneers at home.
The Falcons currently rank last in the NFL in sacks (15) and pressure rate (19.9 percent), according to Next Gen Stats.
That could prove fortuitous for a Panthers offensive line that struggled in Week 12 at Miami.
MATT RYAN STRUGGLING UNDER PRESSURE
When blitzed, Ryan has thrown a league-high seven interceptions with a passer rating of 75.6, ranking 24th among qualified quarterbacks.
When he isn’t blitzed, Ryan’s rating is 95.5 and his 2.25 TD/INT ratio is tied for ninth in the NFL.
Ryan’s 2,914 pass yards so far means he’s likely to record his 13th career 3,000-yard season on Sunday, tying Dan Marino for eighth-most in NFL history.
PATTERSON STILL DOING IT ALL
Last week, Cordarrelle Patterson topped 1,000 scrimmage yards for the season as he’s set single-season highs for rushing yards (489), rushing touchdowns (four), receiving yards (518) and receiving touchdowns (five), and is the second Falcon in franchise history to record at least 1,000 scrimmage yards, five receiving touchdowns and four rushing touchdowns in a season.
He’s the first player in NFL history with at least 10 rushing TDs, 10 receiving TDs and five kickoff return TDs in a single career.
FOYE EVERYWHERE
Foye Oluokun leads the Falcons defense with 135 total tackles this season. Oluokun’s 135 tackles are the second most in the NFL behind only Seattle’s Bobby Wagner (137).
Oluokon had 16 tackles in the first game against Carolina in Week 8.
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Chanelle Smith-Walker/Carolina Panthers
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Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons on December 31, 2017 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
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Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons on December 31, 2017 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick is stopped by Carolina Panthers linebacker Dan Morgan (55) and defensive back Deveron Harper, left, as he scrambles during the first half in Atlanta, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2001. (AP Photo/Alan Mothner)
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick (7) is forced out of bounds by Carolina Panthers’ Mark Fields (58) and Dan Morgan, rear, during the third quarter Saturday, Dec. 18, 2004 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
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FILE Carolina Panthers’ Steve Smith (89) runs as Atlanta Falcons’ DeAngelo Hall (21) closes in during their NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., in a Sunday Dec. 4, 2005 photo. Tedy Bruschi didn’t get a chance to tackle Steve Smith when the Patriots played the Panthers in September. By midseason, he’d made a remarkable comeback from a stroke and was starting for New England. His return was as impressive as Smith’s achievement of returning from a knee injury that cost the Carolina receiver nearly all of the 2004 season. On Thursday, Jan. 5, 2006, they shared The Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year award. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, file)
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick (7) is sacked by Carolina Panthers’ Julius Peppers (90) during the fourth quarter of the Panthers’ 24-6 win in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Dec. 4, 2005.(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
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Carolina Panthers’ DeShaun Foster (26) celebrates after a touchdown past Atlanta Falcons’ DeAngelo Hall (21) during the first quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Dec. 4, 2005.(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
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Carolina Panthers’ Les Miller (69) sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tony Graziani (13) in the second quarter of their NFL game at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Oct. 26, 1997. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
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Carolina Panther Cam Newton (1) signals for a first down against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
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Carolina Panther Christian McCaffrey (22) scores against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
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Carolina Panther Cam Newton (1) dives for the end zone against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
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Carolina Panthers Mike Adams (29) intercepts a pass against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
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Carolina Panther Devin Funchess (17) looks for running room against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
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Carolina Panther Luke Kuechly (59) against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
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Carolina Panthers play the final regular season game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on Sunday, December 28, 2014, in Atlanta, GA.
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Carolina Panthers play the final regular season game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on Sunday, December 28, 2014, in Atlanta, GA.
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Carolina Panthers play the final regular season game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on Sunday, December 28, 2014, in Atlanta, GA.
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Carolina Panthers play the final regular season game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on Sunday, December 28, 2014, in Atlanta, GA.
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Carolina Panthers 2015
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Carolina Panthers play against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 3, 2013.
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Carolina Panthers play against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 3, 2013.
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Carolina Panthers play against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 3, 2013.
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Chanelle Smith-Walker/Carolina Panthers
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