Panthers-Falcons Preview

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• Countdown Daily Recap: Panthers-Falcons

SCOUTING REPORT

Panthers-Falcons: 10 observations After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Panthers-Falcons matchup. 1. Carolina needs to find a way to stop the leakage up the middle in pass protection: The Panthers struggled with the inside blitz that Philadelphia threw at them, as the Eagles managed to get to the Carolina quarterback five times and forced a total of five interceptions. Whether offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson keeps a back in or gives QB Jake Delhomme more check-down options, the Panthers need to find a way to give their quarterback more time in the pocket.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
CAR	4-6	193	239	2-3	2-3	2-2	4-4
ATL	5-5	252	228	4-0	1-5	1-2	4-4
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Carolina Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Delhom... 57.1 1885 8 14 Moore 50.0 63 0 1

Atlanta Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Ryan 59.3 2276 16 12

Carolina Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Willia... 181 982 5.4 7 Stewar... 110 509 4.6 6

Atlanta Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Turner 165 831 5.0 10 Snelli... 62 259 4.2 3

Carolina Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Smith 45 599 13.3 4 Muhamm... 33 337 10.2 0

Atlanta Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD White 51 713 14.0 6 Gonzal... 52 583 11.2 5

Full Player Stats: Carolina | Atlanta

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	CAR	336.0
	ATL	344.0
Yards Passing	CAR	177.3
	ATL	221.2
Yards Rushing	CAR	159.1
	ATL	122.5
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	CAR	315.7
	ATL	379.5
Pass Yds Allowed	CAR	185.0
	ATL	253.4
Rush Yds Allowed	CAR	130.7
	ATL	126.1

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Atlanta leads 11-7
Nov 23, 2008	CAR 28, ATL 45
Sep 28, 2008	CAR 24, @ATL 9
Nov 11, 2007	CAR 13, @ATL 20
Sep 23, 2007	CAR 27, ATL 20
Dec 24, 2006	CAR 10, ATL 3
Sep 10, 2006	CAR 6, @ATL 20
Jan 1, 2006	CAR 44, ATL 11
Dec 4, 2005	CAR 24, @ATL 6
Dec 18, 2004	CAR 31, ATL 34
Oct 3, 2004	CAR 10, @ATL 27
Dec 7, 2003	CAR 14, ATL 20
Sep 28, 2003	CAR 23, @ATL 3
Nov 24, 2002	CAR 0, @ATL 41
Oct 20, 2002	CAR 0, ATL 30
Nov 25, 2001	CAR 7, @ATL 10
Sep 23, 2001	CAR 16, ATL 24

With a strong performance from their unproven defense in the season opener, the Atlanta Falcons appear poised to return to the playoffs.

The defending NFC South champion Carolina Panthers made no such statement in their first game.

The Falcons look to build on last week's victory and continue their success at the Georgia Dome on Sunday against the Panthers, who are hoping Jake Delhomme can bounce back from a humiliating outing.

Atlanta was one of the biggest surprises in the NFL last season, making the playoffs with an 11-5 record one year after finishing 4-12 in the shadow of the Michael Vick debacle.

The Falcons picked up where they left off a year ago with Sunday's 19-7 victory over Miami, improving to 8-1 at home since the start of last season.

Matt Ryan threw for 229 yards and two touchdowns, including one to tight end Tony Gonzalez, who was acquired from Kansas City in the offseason.

Gonzalez had quite a debut, catching a team-high five passes for 73 yards and becoming the 21st player in NFL history with 11,000 yards receiving.

Atlanta's defense also made a significant impact.

That unit was highly suspect after letting go of five starters and looking shaky during the preseason, but the defense came up with four turnovers and four sacks -- and within 3:22 of a shutout. The Falcons forced 18 turnovers in all of 2008, tied for third-worst in the league.

"I thought we were attacking the ball as well as we have since we've been here," second-year Atlanta coach Mike Smith said. "I think it was evident by the turnovers, with the ball being on the ground."

The Falcons' suddenly swarming defense could make things tough for a Carolina team that finished with a team-record seven turnovers in its opener.

Delhomme was benched in the third quarter of last Sunday's 38-10 loss to Philadelphia after throwing four interceptions and losing a fumble.

Delhomme, who went 7 of 17 for 73 yards, was pressured all game, but still wasn't making good throws and decisions. His turnovers Sunday led to 24 Eagles points, and coach John Fox pulled him after he threw consecutive interceptions in the third quarter.

It was Delhomme's first game since throwing five interceptions and losing a fumble in Carolina's 33-13 divisional playoff loss to Arizona in January.

"I think you go through stretches where maybe you're not seeing the field as well as you'd like," said Delhomme, who signed a five-year, $42.5 million contract extension in April. "I think that happens during the course of a season. ... But these two, they were separated by a bunch of time. For whatever reason, those are the cards that have been dealt."

Despite committing 11 turnovers in his last 22 possessions, Delhomme will start at the Georgia Dome, in part because the team doesn't have any other good options.

Backup Josh McCown was placed on injured reserve Monday after injuring his left foot and knee in relief of Delhomme, and third-string quarterback Matt Moore doesn't have the experience. The Panthers signed veteran quarterback A.J. Feeley on Monday, but he won't be ready.

Although Delhomme led Carolina to a Super Bowl in 2003, this could be one of the most important games of his career.

"I'd like to erase any doubts," said Delhomme, who threw for 589 yards and three touchdowns with no turnovers in two games against Atlanta last season.

Delhomme's tendency for turning the ball over isn't the only problem the Panthers have, though.

Carolina couldn't stop Philadelphia's ground game, yielding 185 rushing yards on 32 attempts, and the defense will have its hands full trying to slow down Michael Turner.

The Pro Bowler didn't have much luck against the Dolphins, gaining 65 yards on 22 carries, but he had no trouble running through the Panthers defense in their last meeting. Turner, who finished second in the NFL with 1,699 yards rushing last season and set a team record with 17 touchdowns, ran for 117 yards and a career-high four TDs in Atlanta's 45-28 home win over Carolina on Nov. 23.

In the other meeting between these division rivals last season, the Panthers defeated the Falcons 24-9 on Sept. 28 behind Delhomme's 294 passing yards and two touchdowns.

'Messed-up hand' limits Panthers DE Peppers

Julius Peppers' hand is a touchy subject in the secretive world of NFL injuries. Coach John Fox would only call it a "messed-up hand."

Panthers' Gross has broken right leg, not ankle

Panthers left tackle Jordan Gross broke his right leg, not his ankle, as the team first announced.

Scouts Buzz: Stafford growing up fast

Scouts Inc. examines Matthew Stafford's development, the Vikings' dynamic offense and more.

FBO: Week 11 Quick Reads

Football Outsiders apply their metrics to Week 11. Findings: Even when Wes Welker doesn't find the end zone, he's historic; Mark Sanchez isn't ready; DeAngelo Williams needs the rock more; and T.J. Houshmandzadeh may have saved Minny's season.

Panthers become big losers - of excess weight

There's much less to see when you look at the Carolina Panthers' sideline these days.

Moore making most of shot with Panthers

The Panthers' Kenny Moore, shown with students at First Ward Elementary School on March 10, is among the candidates to enter the season as the team's No.

New fullback has Hoover a bit on edge

When it comes to locker room grief, Carolina Panthers fullback Brad Hoover gives it as well as anyone.

Brown's focus is on technique

If the Carolina Panthers were truly worried about Everette Brown's size, they wouldn't be lining him up the way they are.

Hoover doesn't plan to go without a fight

Brad Hoover was walking off the practice field Monday shortly after beating most of his Carolina Panthers teammates in a series of sprints when he told a reporter he couldn't talk until later.

Falcons release suspended QB Michael Vick

The Atlanta Falcons have released quarterback Michael Vick Friday morning, team officials confirmed. The team had been seeking to trade the former star quarterback, who was suspended by the NFL after his conviction on dogfighting charges. He last played for the Falcons in 2006.

Rookie safety ready to contribute for Falcons

William Moore has a reputation as a ferocious hitter on the football field. He's intense, almost frighteningly so.

Favre, Vick pen pals: Dear Michael, Im retired

The e-mail address that you supply to use this service will only be used to send the requested article.

Vick, Humane Society 'using each other'

Michael Vick and the Humane Society are using each other, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Falcons CB Middleton injured in practice

Rookie cornerback William Middleton, a fifth-round draft pick from Furman, suffered a hamstring injury in practice on Wednesday.