With an outside chance to nab the NFC South title and the conference’s last playoff spot, the Atlanta Falcons play host to the Carolina Panthers. Needing help to make the postseason, the Falcons have to win and get a Tampa Bay loss to New Orleans to keep their season going. Carolina is closing out another last-place season as the development of quarterback Bryce Young remains the focus. The Falcons are favored by close to double-digits in this must-win game.
How to watch Panthers at Falcons
Veteran quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Andy Dalton started the first matchup between these adversaries in October, with the Falcons cruising to victory. A youth movement at quarterback dictates the rematch. Rookie Michael Penix Jr. makes his third career start for the Falcons going against Young — Carolina’s former No. 1 overall pick.
Penix was adequate in Atlanta’s overtime loss to Washington, leading multiple late drives that put the Falcons in position to win. Carolina’s pass defense ranks 27th in yards allowed per play, giving Penix another bottom-ranked defense to face early in his career.
Regardless of how Penix performs, Atlanta’s running game should be heavily involved. Bijan Robinson (95 yards) and Tyler Allgeier (105 yards) had strong games against Carolina’s last-place run defense earlier this season.
Carolina’s offense struggled mightily in Week 17’s blowout loss to Tampa Bay. Sacked five times, Young didn’t receive help from Carolina’s new-look backfield (39 rushing yards). With 1,000-yard lead back Chuba Hubbard sidelined with injury, Young will air it out plenty against a weak Atlanta pass rush (31st in sack rate).
A strong December from wideout Adam Thielen saw the veteran average 81 receiving yards per game with four touchdowns — maintaining a consistent connection with Young since returning from injury in late November.
Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons odds
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(Photo of Kyle Pitts: John Byrum / Getty Images)