Falcons-Panthers Preview

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• Countdown Daily Recap: Falcons-Panthers

SCOUTING REPORT

Falcons-Panthers: 10 observations After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Falcons-Panthers matchup. 1. Atlanta needs to ride the Michael Turner train again: The Falcons have become one of the more potent passing teams in the NFL but they still rely on a strong ground game to open up the back end for their passing attack. Turner had been stymied for much of the first half of this season -- but over the past two games he has averaged slightly less than 160 yards and over eight yards-per-carry. With that kind of production, defenses need to consider crowding the box with an eighth defender, which opens things up on the back end.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
ATL	5-4	221	194	4-0	1-4	1-2	4-3
CAR	4-6	193	239	2-3	2-3	2-2	4-4
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Atlanta Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Ryan 59.7 2008 14 12

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

Atlanta Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Turner 165 831 5.0 10 Snelli... 37 183 4.9 1

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

Atlanta Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD White 47 668 14.2 6 Gonzal... 44 501 11.4 4

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

Full Player Stats: Atlanta | Carolina

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	ATL	343.0
	CAR	336.0
Yards Passing	ATL	216.7
	CAR	177.3
Yards Rushing	ATL	126.1
	CAR	159.1
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	ATL	371.0
	CAR	315.7
Pass Yds Allowed	ATL	240.7
	CAR	185.0
Rush Yds Allowed	ATL	130.3
	CAR	130.7

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Atlanta leads 11-7
Sep 20, 2009	ATL 28, @CAR 20
Nov 23, 2008	ATL 45, @CAR 28
Sep 28, 2008	ATL 9, CAR 24
Nov 11, 2007	ATL 20, CAR 13
Sep 23, 2007	ATL 20, @CAR 27
Dec 24, 2006	ATL 3, @CAR 10
Sep 10, 2006	ATL 20, CAR 6
Jan 1, 2006	ATL 11, @CAR 44
Dec 4, 2005	ATL 6, CAR 24
Dec 18, 2004	ATL 34, @CAR 31
Oct 3, 2004	ATL 27, CAR 10
Dec 7, 2003	ATL 20, @CAR 14
Sep 28, 2003	ATL 3, CAR 23
Nov 24, 2002	ATL 41, CAR 0
Oct 20, 2002	ATL 30, @CAR 0
Nov 25, 2001	ATL 10, CAR 7
Sep 23, 2001	ATL 24, @CAR 16

The Atlanta Falcons insist Matt Ryan isn't struggling despite his poor numbers over the last three games. The Carolina Panthers appear to be happy just to see Jake Delhomme avoiding more mistakes.

The NFC South rivals meet for the second time this season Sunday with both clubs facing questions about their quarterbacks.

Atlanta (5-3) is playing the first of two straight games on the road, where it is 1/3 with two straight losses. Ryan threw five interceptions in his last two road games.

Ryan, who led the Falcons to 11 wins and a playoff spot as a rookie last season, had four touchdowns, six interceptions and a 54.5 completion percentage in his last three games.

"Matt has played very well the entire season," coach Mike Smith said. "I don't think you can judge a one-game stretch, a two-game stretch, or a three-game stretch in terms of determining. I think that's talking points for a lot of folks.

"For us, we are working for the next game and making sure we make corrections on all levels of the football team. I don't think that contention that Matt is not playing well; I don't believe that at all. I think Matt's played very, very well."

Ryan was 17 of 24 for 135 yards, one touchdown and one interception in last Sunday's 31-17 win over Washington.

Delhomme has five touchdowns and an NFL-high 13 interceptions this year after guiding Carolina (3-5) to the South title in 2008. He didn't thrown an interception the last two games, but coach John Fox has been forced to defend the passing game for not throwing downfield more.

Delhomme passed for 201 yards and no touchdowns in a 30-20 loss at New Orleans last Sunday.

"I'm confident," Fox said, "that we can get better."

Pro Bowl receiver Steve Smith has one touchdown reception this season and is tied for 34th in the league with 34 catches.

"We need to get more dangerous on offense," left tackle Jordan Gross said. "It's kind of the same old song. We need to do better in the passing game."

Both teams are taking the pressure off their quarterbacks by running the ball well. Michael Turner gained 166 yards and scored two touchdowns last week for Atlanta, six days after he gained 150 yards on 20 carries in a 35-27 loss at New Orleans.

Turner has scored in seven straight games and leads the NFC with 10 rushing touchdowns.

The Falcons' beleaguered run defense may be tasked with slowing down a resurgent DeAngelo Williams, who posted an NFL-high 548 rushing yards over the last four weeks. Atlanta ranks 24th against the run, and Williams had 79 yards on 16 carries in a 28-20 road defeat to the Falcons on Sept. 20.

Williams, though, is questionable after sitting out practice Friday for the second time in three days.

The Falcons' defense features the NFL's leading tackler in middle linebacker Curtis Lofton with 84, but Atlanta yielded 397 yards on the ground in the last three games.

Delhomme had 10 touchdowns and three interceptions in his last seven games against the Falcons, going 25 for 41 for 308 yards and one TD and three interceptions in the September meeting.

Ryan also turned in one of his most efficient performances in that game, completing 21 of 27 passes for three touchdowns, one interception and 220 yards.

Atlanta won six of its last nine games in Charlotte, falling 24-9 in last year's visit as Delhomme threw for 294 yards, two scores and no interceptions.

"This next game is at their place, so, it's going to be a challenge," Atlanta tight end Justin Peelle said. "They're playing really well right now."

Carolina will play the rest of the season without weakside linebacker Thomas Davis, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last Sunday. Davis had been productive to the point that teammates believed he could reach his first Pro Bowl.

"He's played very well. I feel bad for the young man because he's put a lot into it," Fox said. "He was playing at a high level. It's unfortunate, and I feel bad for him and his family."

Falcons' Norwood practices as Turner is doubtful

Falcons running back Jerious Norwood practiced Friday for the second straight day after missing Atlanta's last four games with a hip flexor.

Williams' three TDs lead Dolphins past Panthers

Dolphins 24, Panthers 17

Falcons' Norwood back at practice after 5 weeks

Atlanta running back Jerious Norwood practiced for first time in nearly five weeks, giving the Falcons hope he could play against the Giants if they are without injured starter Michael Turner.

Panthers WR Smith will play after car accident

Panthers receiver Steve Smith will play against the Dolphins after being involved in a car accident en route to the game.

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.

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.