The Carolina Panthers (5-7) travel to division rival Atlanta (3-9) for a Week 14 matchup.
Matchup Stats
- The Panthers will go for a season split of the series after Atlanta won at Carolina back in November. The Falcons have now won seven of the last eight against Carolina and hold a 31-18 lead in the all-time series.
- In the previous matchup, the Falcons returned a punt for a touchdown and Carolina was held out of the end zone in a 29-3 outcome.
- This season, Carolina's run defense has struggled, allowing 137.5 yards per game. However, the Falcons have also struggled to run the ball, ranking 30th with 74.3 rushing yards per game.
- Atlanta's passing offense led by Matt Ryan ranks first in the league with 319.1 passing yards per game. Julio Jones ranks sixth in the league with 950 receiving yards.
| Category | Panthers | Falcons |
|---|---|---|
| Offense | ||
| Total Yards/Game | 341.3 (21st) | 369.4 (11th) |
| Rushing Yards/Game | 120.5 (12th) | 74.3 (30th) |
| Passing Yards/Game | 252.4 (15th) | 319.1 (1st) |
| Sacks Allowed | 45 (29th) | 40 (t-24th) |
| Third Down Efficiency | 31.4 (t-28th) | 40.4 (14th) |
| Points/Game | 23.3 (t-13th) | 21.7 (18th) |
| Defense | ||
| Total Yards/Game | 366.7 (22nd) | 368.2 (23rd) |
| Rushing Yards/Game | 137.5 (29th) | 108.7 (17th) |
| Passing Yards/Game | 229.2 (14th) | 259.5 (26th) |
| Sacks | 46 (1st) | 18 (31st) |
| Third Down Efficiency | 40.3 (12th) | 44.3 (8th) |
| Points/Game | 26.7 (26th) | 26.9 (27th) |
Individual Stats
- Over the last five games, DJ Moore leads the NFL with 517 receiving yards to go with three receiving touchdowns. The second-year wideout has 980 receiving yards on the season, ranking fourth in the NFL.
- Christian McCaffrey leads the NFL in scrimmage yards (1,811), which ranks seventh all-time through the first 12 games of a season. He leads the NFL with 16 total touchdowns and is first among running backs with 75 receptions. He also ranks second in rushing yards (1,167), receiving yards by a running back (644) and yards after catch (616).
- Last week, McCaffrey passed Roger Craig (2,118) for the most receiving yards by a running back through the first three seasons of an NFL career. With 2,162 career receiving yards, McCaffrey ranks ninth in franchise history.
- Curtis Samuel recorded his fifth receiving touchdown of the season last week and sixth total TD of the year. Among wide receivers, his six total touchdowns are tied for eighth in the NFL.
- After recording 1.5 sacks against Washington, Mario Addison moved into the top 10 in the NFL with 9.5 sacks on the season.
- Luke Kuechly now has over 100 tackles for the eighth consecutive season. He is one of five players since tackles were recorded with eight consecutive 100-tackle seasons.
- With 95 tackles, Eric Reid ranks third among NFL safeties in tackles. He is second among safeties with 4.0 sacks. Those sacks tie Toi Cook (1996) for the most by a safety in franchise history.
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)
Milestones to Watch
- Carolina (6) needs three touchdowns from 50 or more yards to break the franchise record for most 50+ yard touchdowns (8, 1999).
- Currently leading the league with 46.0 sacks, the Panthers need 14 sacks to tie the franchise record (60) set in 1996 and 2013.
- Christian McCaffrey (1,167) needs 348 rushing yards to eclipse DeAngelo Williams' franchise record (1,515, 2008) for rushing yards in a season.
- McCaffrey (1,811) is 155 scrimmage yards away from breaking his own franchise record (1,965) which he set last season. With 189 scrimmage yards and 25 receptions, he would become the second player in NFL history with 2,000+ scrimmage yards and 100+ receptions.
- With at least 189 scrimmage yards on Sunday, McCaffrey would tie for the fewest games (13) to reach 2,000 scrimmage yards in a season in NFL history. He would join Jim Brown, Priest Holmes, Chris Johnson, Walter Payton and O.J. Simpson.
- DJ Moore needs 20 receiving yards for his first career 1,000-yard receiving season. It would mark the first 1,000-yard receiving season for a Panther since 2016 (Greg Olsen) and first by a wide receiver since 2014 (Kelvin Benjamin). There have been 17 total 1,000-yard receiving seasons by Panthers all-time.
- Mario Addison (55.0) needs 1.0 sack to pass Mike Rucker (55.5) for third place all-time in franchise history. He would also record his second career double-digit sack season.
- Eric Reid (95) needs 22 tackles to pass Mike Minter (116, 2000) for the most tackles by a safety in one season in franchise history. He needs one sack to be in sole first place for the most sacks by a safety in one season in franchise history (Toi Cook, 1996, 4.0).
- With five tackles from Reid (95) and seven tackles from Shaq Thompson (93), the 2019 team would be the first Panthers squad with three players with over 100 tackles in a season.
