Matchup Notes
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)
- Carolina plays its final home game of the season against Atlanta. The Panthers are looking to snap a six-game losing streak. The game marks the second of three divisional games to end the season.
- Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey broke the franchise record for scrimmage yards in a season, passing DeAngelo Williams mark of 1,636 scrimmage yards in 2008. McCaffrey now has 1,747 scrimmage yards, ranking fourth in the NFL.
- Against New Orleans, McCaffrey threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to Chris Manhertz on a fourth down in the first quarter. He became the first non-QB to throw a touchdown pass in franchise history, and the first Panthers player with career rushing, receiving and passing touchdowns. McCaffrey became the first player with 50 yards rushing, receiving and passing in a game since Walter Payton achieved it in 1985 (12/22/85).
- Carolina held the Saints offense to just 12 points, the sixth-fewest points scored by New Orleans in the last five seasons.
- Luke Kuechly recorded 12 tackles (press box stats) against New Orleans, including two tackles for loss. He now has 19 tackles for loss, tying Charles Johnson's mark for tackles for loss in a season, set in 2011. Kuechly ranks third in the NFL in tackles for loss, and has the most by a linebacker in a season since Kansas City's Justin Houston had 23 in 2014.
- Cam Newton ranks eighth in the NFL in completion percentage at 67.9. That mark currently ranks as best all-time for a single season in franchise history.
- Carolina ranks third in the NFL in rushing, averaging 134.6 yards per game. The Panthers are first in the league with 5.32 yards per carry and rank second with 62 rushes over 10 yards.
- DJ Moore leads all NFL rookie wide receivers with 860 scrimmage yards. He also leads all wide receivers with 172 rushing yards and 5.2 yards after contact per rush.
Upcoming Milestones
Panthers players have a number of career milestones that could be in reach for Sunday's game:
- Christian McCaffrey needs 21 rushing yards to become the sixth Panther in history with a 1,000-yard rushing season. He needs 21 rushing yards and 232 receiving yards to become the third player in NFL history (Marshall Faulk, Roger Craig) with 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season.
- In terms of receptions, McCaffrey (94) needs:
-5 receptions to pass DeAngelo Williams (178) for the most career receptions by a running back in franchise history.
-9 receptions to pass Matt Forte (102) for the most by a running back in a season in NFL history.
-10 receptions to pass Steve Smith (103) for the franchise record for receptions in a season at any position.
-14 receptions to pass Odell Beckham (187) for third-most receptions by any NFL player in their first two seasons. - DJ Moore (13) needs two rush attempts to pass Ted Ginn (14) for the most rushes by a wide receiver in a single season.
- Moore (860) needs 149 scrimmage yards to break Kelvin Benjamin's franchise record (1,008) for most scrimmage yards by a rookie wide receiver.
- Luke Kuechly (19) needs one tackle for loss to pass Charles Johnson (19) for the most in a season in the franchise. He is currently tied.
- Julius Peppers (158.5) needs two sacks to pass Kevin Greene (160.0) for the third-most sacks in NFL history since it became a statistic in 1982.
Notable Connections
Coaching Connections
- Panthers defensive coordinator Eric Washington was a coaching intern with Atlanta during the 2004 training camp, assisting with the linebackers.
- Panthers running game coordinator John Matsko and Falcons tight ends coach Wade Harman were both on the Ravens coaching staff from 2008-10.
- Falcons defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel played for the Panthers in 2007.
- Falcons quarterback coach Bush Hamdan was the offensive coordinator/QBs coach at Davidson in 2014.
- Falcons offensive assistant coach Dave Brock was the assistant head coach/recruiting coordinator and wide receivers coach at North Carolina from 2005-06.
Player Connections
- Panthers defensive tackle Dontari Poe played for the Falcons in 2017.
- Panthers punter Michael Palardy spent time with Atlanta in 2016.
Regional Connections
- Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is a native of College Park, Ga., and attended Westlake High School.
- Panthers defensive tackle Kyle Love is from College Park, Ga.
- Panthers fullback Alex Armah played collegiately at West Georgia and is from Dacula, Ga.
- Falcons safety Justin Bethel is from Blythewood, S.C., and went to Presbyterian College.
- Falcons wide receiver Justin Hardy is from Vanceboro, N.C. and played collegiately at East Carolina.
- Falcons defensive linemen Grady Jarrett and Vic Beasley Jr. played at Clemson University.
- Falcons linebacker Bruce Carter is from Havelock, N.C., and played at North Carolina.
College Connections
- Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and Falcons long snapper Josh Harris were college teammates at Auburn.
- Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson was college teammates with Falcons wide receiver Marvin Hall and cornerback Desmond Trufant at Washington.
- Panthers defensive end Bryan Cox Jr. was college teammates with Falcons cornerback Brian Poole at Florida.
- Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage played with Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson at LSU. Jackson, Panthers guard Trai Turner and Panthers safety Eric Reid were also college teammates with Falcons linebacker Deion Jones at LSU.
- Falcons safety Jordan Richards and tight end Austin Hooper were college teammates with Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey at Stanford.
