Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers: To-Do Checklist for Week 4

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:51 p.m. ET

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Sep 26, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) hands off to running back Devonta Freeman (24) in the second half against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

No doubt that the biggest game of the season is on the forefront for the Atlanta Falcons. After a high-scoring, slug-fest with arguably their biggest rival, the New Orleans Saints, head coach Dan Quinn and his Falcons team turn their sights to the team’s biggest hurdle in the division, the Carolina Panthers.

To briefly touch on their Monday night victory over the Saints, the Falcons pretty much checked off every item on their week three checklist for the Saints matchup, which led to their 45-32 victory. The offense looked great thanks to impressive play-calling by offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, and the defense was troublesome for most of the game but made enough plays at the right time to preserve the win.

At 2-1 and sitting in first place in the NFC South, the pressure dial gets turned up a notch as a 1-2 Panthers team comes to Atlanta with a little bitterness from the last matchup between the two teams plus an even more focused state of mind after starting off the season with two impactful losses. What will the Falcons have to do to exit the contest with a 3-1 record and continuation as a first place team in the division? Here is their checklist.

Dec 20, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) drops out of the pocket to throw the ball to wide receiver Julio Jones (11) for a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

1. Punch Carolina First

There is one thing for sure about the physical and well-coached Carolina Panthers, in order to defeat them, establishing a combative nature is key. Carolina has a history of taking it to their opponent early which leads to the Panthers overwhelming opponents in all three phases of the game.

Going back to the Falcons victory over the Panthers in week 15 of last season, Carolina jumped out to an early 7-0 lead behind a Cam Newton rushing touchdown but to answer on the following drive with a Devonta Freeman touchdown to tie the game 7-7 was a message to Carolina as well as a huge confidence boost in which the Falcons rode for four quarters.

The same needs to occur again on Sunday. Whether it’s sound tackling on defense, creativity on offense, making the most out of red zone trips on offense which the offense has done quite well lately I may add, Atlanta needs to send a message early or the defending NFC champs will pound their chest and make things very difficult for Atlanta.

Sep 26, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman (26) runs against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

2. Aggressive Play Calling On Offense

In New Orleans, the offense totaled 30 pass attempts and 31 rushing attempts, with each passing attempt averaging seven yards per pass as well as averaging seven yards per rush. Balanced play-calling by Shanahan against the Saints was the key takeaway of the entire game.

Inconsistencies by Shanahan hurt the team in 2015 but so far in 2016, he has corrected his mistakes with games against the Raiders and Saints as visual proof.

This time around, Carolina brings an aggressive, no-nonsense defensive unit that’s third overall, allowing only 273.3 yards per game. Led by linebackers Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis, Carolina has a dangerous defense that has given Atlanta trouble in the past.

Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) catches a touchdown pass over Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Brent Grimes (24) running back Charles Sims (34) during the first half at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

How to combat that is to stay aggressive on play-calling by Shanahan. This Falcons offense is different from previous seasons. Simply because there are weapons literally everywhere. The obvious is the super-explosive Julio Jones, but it doesn’t stop there. Quarterback Matt Ryan has successfully spread the ball around to receivers Mohamed Sanu, Justin Hardy, Aldrick Robinson, and Justin Gabriel along with tight ends Jacob Tamme and Austin Hooper. That’s not even mentioning the versatility shown by both running backs Freeman and Tevin Coleman. That is a lot of weapons to account for while also keeping a close eye on the elite Jones.

Ryan has connected with at least seven receivers in all three games this season plus we have seen Freeman and Coleman get implemented in the passing game creatively. A Falcons offense clicking on all cylinders can have a Carolina defense with rookie corners and inconsistencies at safety uncomfortable for all four quarters.

Nov 9, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant (21) and cornerback Robert Alford (23) talk against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Atlanta Falcons defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

3. Isolate Kelvin Benjamin

A task easier said than done. Especially when the 6’5 240 receiver is a pure mismatch for most cornerbacks in the league.

In two career games against the Falcons, Benjamin has totaled 10 catches for 118 yards and a touchdown. His latest contest against Atlanta, in the 2014 season finale, Benjamin was only limited to one catch for nine yards. While the objective seems daunting, it can be done.

Last week against the Vikings, Benjamin was held to zero receptions which limited the Carolina offense tremendously. Especially with Carolina’s offensive line being inadequate against the stout Minnesota defense.

Expect for corner Desmond Trufant to see Benjamin a number of times as well as cornerback Robert Alford. Two corners who are not the biggest corners in the world, but both have the skills to limit Benjamin in the pass game. Taking away Benjamin eliminates a massive weapon for Carolina and if a shootout breaks out, Carolina will need the playmaking ability of Benjamin.

Dec 13, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is sacked by Atlanta Falcons defensive end Vic Beasley (44) during the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Panthers defeated the Falcons 38-0. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

4. Vic Beasley Must Arrive

Outside of the projected role for Beasley once drafted eighth overall in the 2015 NFL Draft, Beasley’s drafting was also in mind to help combat the likes of Cam Newton.

The 6’3 246 pound edge rusher made his biggest impact last season in the home contest against the Panthers in which he totaled four tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. His forced fumble sealed the upset win over Carolina as it was the easily the biggest win of the year for the Falcons.

If you recall, Beasley saw a healthy share of Panthers right tackle Mike Remmers in that contest and if the name Mike Remmers sounds familiar, it’s because he was the offensive lineman that gave it his all to block Broncos edge rusher Von Miller during Super Bowl 50, with not much success of course.

Beasley has the athleticism to give Remmers and Newton a ton of trouble as well. Admittedly, Beasley hasn’t made the impact that fits his draft placement but that also doesn’t mean he is a bust. As talented as he is, he was considered relatively raw coming out of Clemson. His ability to rush the passer can create havoc for Carolina’s offense.

5. Sound Tackling

Tackling has been a concerning issue for the Atlanta Falcons on defense. We are all aware of the hideous tackling flub against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on running back Charles Sims touchdown before halftime in week one.

The Falcons defense also missed a total of ten tackles the following week against Oakland in week two. Sound, disciplined tackling must be amplified with the Panthers coming to town.

Against the Panthers, that simply can’t happen with a 6’5 quarterback in Cam Newton as well as shifty running backs in Fozzy Whittaker and Cameron Artis-Payne. The tackling woes for Atlanta has been an issue in the past and the defense at times have gotten away with it. The aggressive nature from Carolina needs to be met head-on with the aggressive tackling style that defenders such as strong safeties Keanu Neal and Kemal Ishmael, linebackers Deion Jones and Sean Weatherspoon, and defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux brings to the table.