We’re not going to try and sugarcoat this Week 15 matchup between the 1-12 Carolina Panthers and the 6-7 Atlanta Falcons. This probably won’t be a memorable game.
But that still doesn’t mean we couldn’t find some intriguing storylines for Sunday . . .
December Rain
A 2023 matchup between two NFC South squads doesn’t need any help to get ugly. Alas, Mother Nature is prepared to lend a hand.
Sunday’s forecast in Charlotte is calling for the potential of heavy rain and 10-to-20-mph winds. The Panthers have already taken precautions against the wet and frigid conditions, as they’ve been warming the ever-polarizing turf at Bank of America Stadium with a “blanket-like” device.
We already know how unforgiving that field can be this time of year. Just ask the Detroit Lions.
So it may be pretty hard to ignore the elements, which could—for better or for worse—turn this game on its side.
Iced Bryce?
If the weather is as bad as predicted, the Panthers’ passing game will likely be even worse . . . if that’s possible.
Quarterback Bryce Young and his offense are coming off one of their most embarrassing performances of the season, one in which they amassed all of 99 passing yards in a 28-6 loss to the New Orleans Saints. The rookie completed a career-low 36.1 percent of his throws for just 137 yards.
In conditions like this, teams usually look for some quick give-and-go to strike movement through the air. But with Carolina lacking pass catchers who can get and go, there’s no telling how limited this already paltry pass approach will be.
Battleground
One offense’s sense of self is certainly stronger than the other’s, but both the Panthers and the Falcons will look to run as much as they can on Sunday.
Carolina has received a recent surge from running back Chuba Hubbard, who recorded 191 yards and a pair of touchdowns over the past two weeks. Heck, even Miles Sanders—who racked up a season-high 74 yards in Week 14—got in on the ground success.
But the bigger story rests in the other backfield—with the three-headed attack of Tyler Allgeier, Cordarrelle Patterson and standout rookie Bijan Robinson. The work between Robinson and Allgeier dictated the pace of Atlanta’s Week 1 win over Carolina, where the duo combined for 131 yards and two scores on just 25 carries.
Can the Panthers, who have continued to be quite soft against the run, deny the Falcons of their identity?
