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Rushing to reality: Atlanta vs. Carolina
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Only four weeks ago many in Falcon nation would have hoped and wished to be in a three-way tie heading into a week four. Many hoped, some believed, but honestly few actually expected this to become reality. I certainly didn’t expect it.
Welcome to reality. Here is why reality is better than fiction.
Last week there were 15 games in the NFL. 14 of the teams that won had two things in common. First, they outrushed their opponents. And second, they of course scored more points. One team didn’t outrush their opponent, Tampa Bay. Tampa lost the rushing battle 47 yards to Chicago’s 158 yards. They also managed to survive four turnovers, but it took them until 4:24 left in overtime and 407 yards passing on 38 of 67 attempts by Brian Griese.
Over the years, the Falcons and Panthers have enjoyed a nice I-85 rivalry, whether it was MV7 running on fourth down and levitating into the end zone to push the game into overtime or the Panthers running a no-QB offense to rush to victory in the Georgia Dome. I have no doubt this game will be about who wins the rushing battle.
With the exception of the Tampa game in week two -- where the Falcons abandoned the run early on -- the Falcons have registered impressive rushing performances. The Atlanta coaching staff has shown they know how to utilize two very different running backs and so I believe Atlanta has the advantage in the run game.
If the Falcons defense is able to slow or stop the Panthers rushing game, they must then defend the passing attack. I believe the Panthers have a significant advantage in the passing game over the Falcons with a rookie QB.
Enter John Abraham. Carolina will need to find a way to stop John Abraham, which means keeping more people in for protection allowing our DB’s to play man-up with a zone over top. From there it’s a chess match of players and matchups.
My prediction is a slugfest on the ground but the Falcons win by 10 points due to a pick-six in the fourth quarter.
