CHARLOTTE – Not that long ago, the Atlanta Falcons looked like a team capable of challenging the Carolina Panthers' perch atop the NFC South.
The Falcons, however, have now dropped five consecutive games and will arrive at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday as a team desperate for a victory to stay in the playoff hunt.
Does that mindset give them an advantage against a Panthers team that has already punched its playoff ticket?
"We're a desperate team too – desperate for a win each and every week," quarterback Cam Newton said. "We always try to just find a way to be 1-0 by the end of Sunday. For us, it's been that same outlook each and every week, and that's what has gotten us to this point.
"We haven't been looking back, nor have we been looking ahead. We've just had all our energy focused on a specific team, and this week that team is the Atlanta Falcons."
Newton means what he says, but even if it were just lip service and the Falcons were the hungrier team, then this particular opponent would be the perfect one to keep Newton's head in the game.
"I don't need anything to get me going besides the love of the game, but I do kind of get excited when we play Atlanta," said Newton, who grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta. "I had been watching since I first started playing the game at the age of seven. Sundays I would come home from church, and the Atlanta Falcons would be on."
Newton isn't alone in that regard.
"There are certain games for certain guys that have personal meanings," head coach Ron Rivera said. "For me it was anytime I was in California – the Rams, San Diego, San Francisco – anywhere close to home. And for a lot of these guys it's Atlanta. It's so close to us, and a lot of our guys have ties, so it's a big deal.
"For Charles (Johnson), Atlanta has always been a good game for him. And a couple of years for TD (Thomas Davis), it was important to him to play in both of the Atlanta games coming off the third (knee injury). When he got to play the second time, that was such a big deal."
Johnson and Davis are both Georgia natives who played at the University of Georgia.
"This is one of my favorite games," Davis said. "This is a great opportunity for my family back home because it's going to be televised at home.
"I still have a lot of family members that are pulling for the Falcons for whatever reason, but I love to be able to go back and talk trash when we're able to win the game."
Another motivating factor? If the Panthers win this game, they clinch one of the NFC's two playoff byes to go with the NFC South crown they've already secured.
"That would be huge, especially with our bye coming so early in the season," tight end Greg Olsen said. "We're going to fight with everything we have to try to attain that, to have that week off while everybody else beats each other up in the playoffs. That would be huge."
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) makes the catch against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert McClain (27) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) runs into Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert McClain (27) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs out of the pocket as Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Joplo Bartu (59) looks on during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson )
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) runs against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert McClain (27) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs out of the pocket as Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Paul Worrilow (55) looks on during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) is hit by Carolina Panthers cornerback Bene' Benwikere (25) Carolina Panthers defensive back Colin Jones (42) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Philly Brown (16) moves the ball as Carolina Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert (35) blocks against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) passes the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. An injury is seen on his left arm. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) runs past Atlanta Falcons strong safety Kemal Ishmael (36) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Carolina Panthers tight end Ed Dickson (84) falls into the end zone for a touch down against Atlanta Falcons strong safety Kemal Ishmael (36)during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Carolina Panthers tight end Ed Dickson (84) celebrates his touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers linebacker Adarius Glanton (57) tries to stop Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Devin Hester (17) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Dwan Edwards (92) tries to stop Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) misses the ball as Carolina Panthers strong safety Roman Harper (41) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Brenton Bersin (11) misses a thrown ball as Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant (21) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera speaks with official wayne Mackie during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Carolina Panthers defensive end Kony Ealy (94) sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers defensive end Kony Ealy (94) sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis (58) runs the ball after a fumble from Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) moves into the end zone for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) runs against Carolina Panthers strong safety Roman Harper (41) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson )
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) heads to the turf after leaving the pocket against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) is hit by Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Carolina Panthers free safety Tre Boston (33) picks off a thrown ball intended for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Harry Douglas (83) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. Boston ran the ball back for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Carolina Panthers free safety Tre Boston (33) runs back a intercepted ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. Boston scored on the play. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers free safety Tre Boston (33) flips in the end zone as Carolina Panthers cornerback Bene' Benwikere (25) looks on against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. Boston scored a touchdown after intercepting the ball. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) runs against Carolina Panthers cornerback Bene' Benwikere (25) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) is hit by Carolina Panthers cornerback Bene' Benwikere (25) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson )
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) misses a ball as Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) looks on during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Carolina Panthers fans cheer during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Javier Arenas (28) sits on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. The Carolina Panthers won 34-3. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) throws items into the stands after the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. The Carolina Panthers won 34-3. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera, left, speaks with Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith after the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. The Carolina Panthers won 34-3. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera speaks at a news conference after the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. The Carolina Panthers won 34-3. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
