Game Reset
Carolina Panthers (3-4) vs. Atlanta Falcons (1-6)
Bank of America Stadium | Charlotte, N.C. | Tickets | Coming to the game?
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Injury Report | Depth Chart
History: Panthers vs. Falcons
- Carolina is 19-32 all-time against Atlanta, with a 12-13 record at home and a 1-2 record in primetime.
- The Panthers will be looking for their first season sweep of Atlanta since 2013 and just the fourth in the all-time series history.
- Current Streak: Panthers W1
- Last matchup: Panthers won 23-16 in Week 5 in Atlanta
Thursday Night Football
- Carolina is 2-8 all-time on Thursday Night Football, with the last win coming against New Orleans in 2016. Atlanta is 6-6 all-time on Thursday Night Football.
- This marks the fourth primetime meeting between Atlanta and Carolina and the first since 2004. The Panthers are 1-2 against Atlanta at night.
- The Panthers will wear black jerseys against the Falcons on Thursday. It's the first time Carolina has worn black against Atlanta at night.
Falcons Reset
Since the teams met in Week 5, there have been some changes in Atlanta. Head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff were both fired a day after the Falcons lost to the Panthers.
Interim head coach Raheem Morris won his first game the next week against the Vikings, but fourth-quarter disaster struck again last week when Detroit mounted a game-winning drive in the final minute. Atlanta is 1-6, with three losses of 4 points or fewer.
Wide receiver Julio Jones, who missed Week 5 with a hamstring injury, has since returned to the lineup where he's averaged 8.0 receptions, 117.0 receiving yards and 1.0 touchdowns in the last two games.
| Category | Panthers | Falcons |
|---|---|---|
| Offense | ||
| Total Yards/Game | 369.1 (16th) | 401.0 (6th) |
| Rushing Yards/Game | 105.4 (t-20th) | 105.4 (t-20th) |
| Net Passing Yards/Game | 263.7 (11th) | 295.6 (3rd) |
| Sacks Allowed | 13 (t-15th) | 15 (t-19th) |
| Third Down Efficiency | 46.9 (8th) | 44.0 (12th) |
| Points/Game | 23.1 (25th) | 26.3 (13th) |
| Defense | ||
| Total Yards/Game | 351.1 (13th) | 425.9 (31st) |
| Rushing Yards/Game | 124.0 (18th) | 92.4 (6th) |
| Net Passing Yards/Game | 227.1 (10th) | 333.4 (31st) |
| Sacks | 6 (t-31st) | 10 (t-24th) |
| Third Down Efficiency | 56.3 (31st) | 40.0 (13th) |
| Turnover Margin | +2 (t-9th) | +2 (t-9th) |
| Points Allowed/Game | 24.0 (13th) | 29.6 (26th) |
Stat Nuggets To Know
Team
- The Panthers have allowed 9.2 yards per reception, the fewest in the league.
- Carolina has not given up big plays on first and second down, ranking 13th (5.5) in yards allowed on first down and 10th (5.0) in yards allowed on second down. However, opponents have converted 71.8 percent of 3rd down attempts between 2 and 6 yards (31st) and 100 percent of third-and-1 attempts (t-32nd).
- Carolina has produced 44 "big plays" (runs of 10-plus yards, throws of 20-plus yards), which ranks 10th in the NFL and is the fifth most through seven weeks in franchise history.
- Atlanta's run defense currently ranks sixth in the NFL (92.4), but its pass defense is 31st (333.4). Carolina's net passing average of 263.7 ranks 11th but is the third- highest through seven weeks in franchise history.
- In Weeks 3-6, the Panthers ranked 29th with a red zone touchdown percentage of just 43.8 percent – notably playing all games without running back Christian McCaffrey. Carolina did score TDs on both red zone trips in New Orleans last week.
- Wide receivers Robby Anderson and DJ Moore lead all NFL receiving duos with 1,207 combined receiving yards. It's the most by any Panthers receiving combo through seven games in franchise history.
Individual
- Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater ranks fifth in passing yards (1,676) and second in completion percentage (72.2). On third down, Bridgewater is third in passing yards (513) and tied for seventh in completions for first downs (29).
- Wide receiver Robby Anderson is second with 640 receiving yards and is fifth with 46 receptions. His 46 catches are tied with McCaffrey for the most in a season's first seven games for the Panthers.
- Wide receiver DJ Moore has 567 receiving yards and is third in the NFL with 18.3 yards per catch. After a 74-yard TD catch last week, Moore has eight career receptions of 50 yards or more, tied with Tampa Bay's Mike Evans for the most since 2018.
- Wide receiver Curtis Samuel is first in the NFL in third-down conversions with 12 (11 receptions, one rush). He has 175 of his 231 receiving yards on third down.
- Defensive end Brian Burns has three strip-sacks this season, tying for third in forced fumbles. His three forced fumbles also tie Julius Peppers (2002) for the most in the first seven games by a Panther.
- Linebacker Shaq Thompson is tied for seventh with 60 tackles.
- Safety Jeremy Chinn leads all rookies with 56 tackles.
- Defensive tackle Derrick Brown has six tackles for loss, leading all rookies and tied for ninth in the NFL.
Chasing Milestones in 2020
- The Panthers need two wins to reach 200 regular season wins. Dating back to 1995, Carolina is 198-208-1 in the regular season.
- Samuel needs 42 rushing yards to pass Steve Smith (387) for the most by a wide receiver in Panthers' history.
- Moore needs 18 receiving yards to pass Mark Carrier (2,547) for sixth place in franchise history.
- Moore needs six receptions to pass Mark Carrier (176) and DeAngelo Williams (178) to move into sixth place in franchise history.
- Linebacker Shaq Thompson needs 28 tackles to pass James Anderson (432) for seventh place in franchise history.
- Defensive tackle Derrick Brown needs three tackles for loss to tie Star Lotulelei (9) for the most in one season by a Panthers' rookie defensive lineman. Luke Kuechly (12) has the record for all rookies.
Carolina is 21-35 all-time against Atlanta dating all the way back to 1995.
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 vs Atlanta Falcons on December 31, 2017 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons on December 31, 2017 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2012, file photo, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) dives into the end zone for a touchdown as Atlanta Falcons' Chris Owens (21) pursues during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C. The Panthers second-year quarterback had his best game of the season, but the highlight occurred as he was crossing the goal line to complete a 72-yard scoring run. He somersaulted into the end zone, and as his legs were in the air, he was nudged slightly by a Falcons defensive back. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt, File)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick is stopped by Carolina Panthers linebacker Dan Morgan (55) and defensive back Deveron Harper, left, as he scrambles during the first half in Atlanta, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2001. (AP Photo/Alan Mothner)
Carolina Panthers strong safety Kurt Coleman (20) celebrates his interception and touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick (7) is forced out of bounds by Carolina Panthers' Mark Fields (58) and Dan Morgan, rear, during the third quarter Saturday, Dec. 18, 2004 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
FILE Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) runs as Atlanta Falcons' DeAngelo Hall (21) closes in during their NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., in a Sunday Dec. 4, 2005 photo. Tedy Bruschi didn't get a chance to tackle Steve Smith when the Patriots played the Panthers in September. By midseason, he'd made a remarkable comeback from a stroke and was starting for New England. His return was as impressive as Smith's achievement of returning from a knee injury that cost the Carolina receiver nearly all of the 2004 season. On Thursday, Jan. 5, 2006, they shared The Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year award. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, file)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick (7) is sacked by Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) during the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 24-6 win in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Dec. 4, 2005.(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' DeShaun Foster (26) celebrates after a touchdown past Atlanta Falcons' DeAngelo Hall (21) during the first quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Dec. 4, 2005.(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Les Miller (69) sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tony Graziani (13) in the second quarter of their NFL game at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Oct. 26, 1997. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panther Cam Newton (1) signals for a first down against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panther Christian McCaffrey (22) scores against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panther Cam Newton (1) dives for the end zone against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers Mike Adams (29) intercepts a pass against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panther Devin Funchess (17) looks for running room against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panther Luke Kuechly (59) against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play the final regular season game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on Sunday, December 28, 2014, in Atlanta, GA.
Carolina Panthers play the final regular season game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on Sunday, December 28, 2014, in Atlanta, GA.
Carolina Panthers play the final regular season game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on Sunday, December 28, 2014, in Atlanta, GA.
Carolina Panthers play the final regular season game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on Sunday, December 28, 2014, in Atlanta, GA.
Carolina Panthers strong safety Juston Burris (31), free safety Tre Boston (33), and Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Jeremy Chinn (21) celebrate an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Atlanta. The Carolina Panthers won 23-16. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) scrambles past Atlanta Falcons' Sean Weatherspoon (56), Kroy Biermann (71) and Chris Hope (24) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. The Panthers won 30-20. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers play against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 3, 2013.
Carolina Panthers play against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 3, 2013.
Carolina Panthers play against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 3, 2013.
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) signals a first down after a run as Atlanta Falcons' Sean Weatherspoon (56) and Chris Hope (24) move downfield during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. The Panthers won 30-20. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton greets fans after the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, in Atlanta. The Carolina Panthers won 21-20. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
