Jannah Theme License is not validated, Go to the theme options page to validate the license, You need a single license for each domain name.
Football News

[Preview] Week 10 (Thursday): The Falcons must spread their wings

Faced with a team in difficulty, Atlanta must show progress.

Kick-off Thursday night to Friday at 2:15 a.m.
Carolina Panthers (2-7) – Atlanta Falcons (4-5)

If Atlanta fans had been told they would be first in their division (tied with the Buccaneers) at the start of the week 10, there is no doubt that they would certainly have signed with both hands. Since the start of the season, the Falcons have surprised and managed to always be in the running. The counterpart is that this relatively good start to the year gives ambitions to the franchise. Except that for that, we will have to improve in certain areas.

The Panthers, the ideal opponent

The main axis of progression is in the air. In two seasons, Atlanta has recovered two very high potential targets in the Top 10 of the draft. Kyle Pitts (4th in 2021) and Drake London (8th in 2022) are indeed players of the future in the aviation sector. Respectively tight end and receiver, the association of the two men made everyone salivate in Georgia. The problem with players catching balls is that someone has to throw them. And it’s not won…

Since the start of the season, Arthur Smith has trusted Marcus Mariota to lead the Falcons’ attack. Except that he throws very little. It’s simple, the old Titan only tried 201 assists in 9 games (only 124 completed) for a total of 1561 yards and 10 TDs. On the ground, however, Mariota is a threat with 60 races already for 304 yards gained and 3 TDs registered. But we know that if the Falcons want to develop and become a more complete attack, Smith will have to ask Mariota to let go of his arm. For this, the Panthers seem to be the right opponent. Just watch their first matchup this year. It was barely two weeks ago. A game that certainly saw the pitcher deliver his best aerial performance of the season.

PJ Walker on the rebound?

The number 2 of the 2015 draft has accumulated 253 passing yards (his season high) and launched 3 tutorials and a sheet of 20/28. A feat on which we must rely to progress. Unfortunately, Atlanta fell back into its ways the following week. The quarterback only completed 12 assists (out of 23) and garnered 129 yards. For this ” return match “ in Charlotte, it’s an opportunity to open the air again. Especially since the Panthers are in great difficulty in this area. Last Sunday, Joe Burrow had fun with a defense that takes 25.3 points per game (29th in the league) and 231 yards per encounter in the air (20th in NFL). In other words, now is the time.

On the Panthers side, the outlook is less cheerful. There is this defense which is not at the top, but there is also an attack at half mast. Last Sunday against the Bengals, the first half turned into a nightmare. The franchise scored zero points and PJ Walker delivered an atrocious stat sheet (3/10, 9 yards and 2 INTs) before being replaced by Baker Mayfield. Since then, Steve Wilks, the coach who has been acting since the forced departure of Matt Rhule, has confirmed Walker in his position. Although he does not really understand the logic, he will be the starting quarterback of this attack on Thursday night. For how long ?

SEE ALSO:  Every NFL team's opponents for the 2024 season
Back to top button

Adblock Detected

Please disable your ad blocker to be able to see the content of the page. For an independent site with free content, it is literally a matter of life and death to have ads. Thank you for your understanding!