Bird is the Word Podcast: In depth with Falcons' foes, the Panthers
When the Carolina Panthers joined the league in 1995, they were placed in the same division as the Atlanta Falcons for a reason; to create a geographic rivalry.
The I-85 Rivalry was born.
Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte and the Georgia Dome in Atlanta are separated by a mere 242 miles. But there's a lot of hate in those miles. The NFL got exactly what it wanted by ensuring these teams play each other twice a season.
Who will forget the expletive-laden request from Matt Ryan in the Dome, "asking" the Panthers to leave his field in 2012? The Panthers won't. The Falcons won't forget the nine sacks Carolina distributed on Ryan last season either.
Throw out their records (Atlanta is 3-6 while Carolina sits at 3-6-1) this season, and forget about the overall advantage the Falcons hold (23-15 all-time). Sunday's Falcons-Panthers game in Charlotte will full of venom.
In this version of "Bird is the Word," FOX Sports Carolinas analyst Brett Jensen joined Knox Bardeen of FOX Sports South to talk about the first of two divisional games between these teams.
Some of the topics for the Falcons podcast:
1. While both teams are 3-6 (sort of; there's a tie on Carolina's tally sheet), the feeling in Atlanta is much different than the feeling in Charlotte right now.
2. With a hobbled quarterback, a patchwork offensive line and a running game that hasn't lived up to its hype, how will the Panthers move the football on offense?
3.What's wrong with Cam Newton? This question was discussed on a micro level (current injuries) and a macro level (is Newton everything the Panthers thought they were drafting?).
4. With defensive end Greg Hardy and defensive tackle Star Lotulelei out, will Carolina's defensive front still pose problems for Atlanta?
Bird is the Word Podcast: In depth with Falcons' foes, the Carolina Panthers by Fox Sports South Podcasts on Mixcloud
