CHARLOTTE — The Carolina Panthers season is coming to an end this weekend with a showdown against the Atlanta Falcons. While much of this week will be somewhat introspective and about laying the groundwork for next season, there is still a game to be played, one with playoff implications for the Falcons, who are still in a fight for the NFC South title with the Buccaneers.

There have been major changes for the Falcons since they last faced the Panthers in October. That game was a 38-20 loss for Carolina. Since then, the Panthers have gone 3-7 and the Falcons have gone 4-6 and made a quarterback switch. So get to know this new Atlanta team ahead of Sunday.

Meet Michael

Following a 15-9 win over the Raiders that saw Kirk Cousins throw his 16th interception to his 18th touchdown and take his 28th sack, the Falcons made a change at quarterback, turning to the rookie and No. 8 overall pick in this past April's draft, Michael Penix Jr.

Penix has only started two games, a win and a loss, albeit the loss was an overtime thriller against the 11-5 Washington Commanders. In those two games, the rookie has gone 37-62 for 425 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, while taking two sacks.

With only two games of tape, against vastly different teams, there is still a lot to learn about Penix and how he factors into this offense.

"I watched the game last night and just on TV, kind of seems like they still run the core plays," explained corner Mike Jackson on Monday. "It's late in the season, so obviously people change stuff up, but I'm pretty sure they have a couple of plays that they like for him."

One thing that stands out immediately though is his throwing hand. Penix is one of only two passers currently in the NFL who are left handed, the other being Tua Tagovailoa. It's something different to adjust to, especially if you've never faced it before, which is the situation Jackson finds himself in this week.

"It's just going to be kind of different cause I've never played a left-handed quarterback," Jackson explained. "So, it's like everything you traditionally think of is backwards now. So for his three-step draw, like all that type of stuff, so I feel like it's gonna be kind of fun to like take on this challenge."

The Panthers don't have a left-handed quarterback on the roster to simulate the difference in practice this week. Theoretically it shouldn't change anything in the offense for the Falcons. But it does mean for any defenders who have not faced a leftie before, they'll have to tell their eyes what they're seeing as the game begins.

"At the end of the day, the routes still going to be the same," Jackson said. "It's just, like, everybody says with a left-handed quarterback, the ball comes out different. Like the spin on the ball, so it looks different right when you try to catch it. But other than that it's still going to be just regular football."

Bijan is still Bijan

While the quarterback might have changed, the Falcons still have one consistent part of their offense, and it's arguably the most important part: Bijan Robinson. The second year running back is now in the Top 5 of the league in rushing (fourth overall) with 1,286 yards on the ground, with 12 touchdowns. He's had five games in a row topping 90 yards or more and this season has posted four games of 100-plus rushing yards. While his legs have handled most of the work in recent weeks, taking away the need to use him in the passing game as well, it still remains a vital part of his game. This season, Robinson has 59 receptions for 428 yards and another score through the air.

Not only does Robinson present a striking rushing attack at every point of the field, he also the ability to take advantage, well, at every point of the field. According to Next Gen Stats, since entering the league in 2023, Robinson has generated 1,019 yards after forcing missed tackles, one of only two players over 1,000 such yards during that span (Derrick Henry, 1,146). Robinson has forced a league-high 190 missed tackles, 15 more than second-place Henry.

Tacklers and kickers

Let's use this final point to hit two things of note: tacklers and kickers. The Falcons' defense has struggled against the pass, sixth in the league in QB rating allowed. When the ball gets into the field though, Kaden Elliss is there to make a stop. The linebacker is eighth in the NFL with 140 tackles and five sacks with eight tackles for loss. He is the first Falcon ever to record 100+ tackles, 5+ sacks and an interception in a single season. Do-it-all safety Jessie Bates III, who is tied for a team-high 10 passes defended, is second on the team with 97 tackles.

Since the last time the Falcons faced the Panthers, Atlanta has placed kicker Younghoe Koo on injured reserve. In his stead, Riley Patterson has taken over, his third team of the year. Patterson has been tested from 50-plus twice, going 1-2 from distance. His long so far with the Falcons has been 52-yards.