FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons (3-2) knew when they entered the 2024 season that their best path to the postseason led through their own division. With a win against the Carolina Panthers (1-4) on Sunday, they will complete a three-game sweep of the NFC South and continue to build momentum through an important stretch.
The I-85 Rivalry is about to resume this weekend, so let's go ahead and crack open this ice-cold six pack of information to get you all squared away for the game ahead.
Injury update
Atlanta entered the weekend with only one player officially ruled out for Sunday's game. Linebacker Troy Andersen will miss his second-straight game due to a knee injury he sustained in the team's win against the New Orleans Saints. Andersen's performance in that game earned him NFL Defensive Player of the Week honors, but it will be at least another week before we see any potential encore. After spending the previous four games on injured reserve, linebacker Nate Landman was designated to return on Monday, logged three limited sessions and is listed as questionable for Week 6. His return to the lineup would be big against Chuba Hubbard and the Panthers' run game.
The Panthers have ruled out five players for the game, including starting center Austin Corbett, right tackle Taylor Moton and linebacker Josey Jewell. They have also listed outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney as doubtful for this weekend due to a shoulder injury. It should also be noted that reserve center Andrew Raym will also miss the action, so an Atlanta pass rush looking to find its next gear will face a depleted interior in Charlotte.
Getting the pass rush going
Let's talk about that pass rush, shall we? Falcons players and coaches were asked about that aspect of the game all week, and they aren't shying away from the difficult conversation. They know they need to improve and generate more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Currently, the Falcons are last in the league with five sacks and second to last with a pressure rate of 14.1%.
However, Atlanta's players and coaches emphasized that their ability to rush the passer on third downs is impacted by their performance on first and second down — they aren't putting teams in obvious passing situations enough. Nor are they building big enough leads to force an opponent's hand late in games.
"We've got to be better on first, second down, get an offense behind the chains, so now we can pin our penetrators back and get that pass rush," defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake explained. "But, it's been an emphasis all offseason, into training camp, and as we're going through here to week six."
For more on how the Falcons are going about improving their pass rush and what they need to do to help those efforts, check out this insightful piece by Terrin Waack.
Falcons offense taking flight
While the pass rush digs in on the answers, the Falcons' offense is finding its stride. This week's Nerdy Birds includes an extensive deep dive into the offensive improvements Atlanta has made since Week 1. They've improved in four key areas, and they were the NFL's best unit in some of those metrics in Week 5.
"Atlanta ranked 29th in the league after scoring on just 20% of its drives in Week 1. However, Its scoring rate improved to 20th, 17th and now sits at 11th-best in the league at 42.9%," Matt Haley writes in Nerdy Birds. "In fact, in Week 5, the Falcons led the entire league with a scoring rate of 63.6%. That's quite the turnaround. The increase shows that the offense isn't just generating empty yards. Each offense wants to score on every drive, but the steady progression up the ranks shows that things are starting to come together in a real way for the Falcons."
The Falcons' offensive explosion could very well continue this weekend. The Panthers are allowing 33 points per game, the most in the league, and they rank 32nd in red zone defense and No. 29 on third down.
Team identity forming
Notably, each of the Falcons' first five games have been decided by one score. Each of their three victories occurred because of game-winning drives late in the fourth quarter or in overtime. Ideally, the Falcons wouldn't live so close to the edge in their remaining games, but these tight outcomes have helped them develop a strong team identity.
"From the first game, losing by one possession to the Steelers. Coming out the following week and going out there and really not blinking again versus the Philadelphia Eagles," head coach Raheem Morris explained. "Having the ability to do that stuff within the game, whether it be New Orleans or whether it be the last win versus Tampa, the guys just don't blink."
That "don't blink" phrase is one that has been repeated throughout the locker room so far this season, and Amna Subhan dug in to explore what that really means and how it fits this Falcons team. Good teams need to be resilient in this league, and the Falcons have proven so far they can bounce back with the best of them.
Take a look at some of the best film photography from Week 5, when the Falcons donned their throwback red helmets against the Buccaneers in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 in the locker room before the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 celebrates in the locker room after the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
A general view of the locker room before the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Justin Simmons #31 in the locker room before the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 in the locker room before the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Justin Simmons #31, cornerback Mike Hughes #21, cornerback A.J. Terrell #24, safety Jessie Bates III #3 talk on the sideline during the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
A general view of the locker room before the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 warms up before the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 in the locker room before the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
A general view of the sideline during the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
A general view of the locker room before the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #20 in the locker room before the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
A general view of thehallway before the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Kevin King #32 warms up before the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 gets prepped in the locker room before the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
A general view of the field during the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Justin Simmons #31 in the locker room before the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
A general view of the red helmet during the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 gets prepped in the locker room before the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 warms up before the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Kyle Hinton #68 gets prepped in the locker room before the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 gets prepped in the locker room before the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tackle Kaleb McGary #76 puts on his helmet during the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
A general view of the locker room before the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
A general view of the locker room before the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 gets prepped in the locker room before the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
A general view of the locker room before the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Kyle Hinton #68 in the locker room before the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
A general view of the halo board during the Week 5 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, October 3, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
These two quarterbacks can start fast
One of the interesting notes surrounding this game has to do with the two quarterbacks. Kirk Cousins — who was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against Tampa Bay — and Andy Dalton are currently tied for the second-most game-opening drives resulting in touchdowns among all active players with 44 such drives in their respective careers. Only Aaron Rodgers (50) has more.
The Falcons have scored touchdowns on two of their opening drives this season, including in their Week 5 win against the Buccaneers. Carolina has scored a touchdown on just one of its opening drives so far, but it faces an Atlanta defense that has given up an opening-drive touchdown in back-to-back games.
Player of the Game prediction: Kaden Elliss
This is the second season where injuries at the linebacker position have potentially narrowed the aperture of Kaden Ellis's versatile role in Atlanta. At least so far. If the Falcons get Nate Landman back in the fold this weekend — or even if they don't — I think Elliss will have a big game on Sunday.
A large part of that has to do with the injuries along Carolina's offensive line, and particularly at center. Elliss is a player who has inside-outside versatility as a blitzer or pass rusher, so I wouldn't be surprised at all if he's deployed directly at the Panthers' offensive line reserves. With a history of rushing through the A-gap, Ellis could have a big day in the backfield.
When he's not rushing the passer, Elliss will have a busy day keeping an eye on the Panthers' backfield. Chuba Hubbard has the fifth-most rushing yards this season, and he's the focal point of Carolina's offensive attack. Containing him could fall to Elliss, and that could be one of the defining matchups in this game.
How to watch
Make sure you have a plan to catch all of the action on Sunday. If you need help, we've got you covered.
