Falcons-Panthers: Game day preview

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

1. Falcons need to sustain their intensity: The Falcons have opened the past three games with touchdown drives, but have not been able to sustain the momentum.

Against a desperate Carolina team that is playing well, the Falcons will need to keep their feet on the gas pedal.

Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey is a master at customizing packages for each opponent.

So while quarterback Matt Ryan had his best game of the season against the Panthers and completed 13 straight passes during one stretch, the Panthers will see a whole new attack.

"It takes some effort for the guys each week to make sure they are on top of the game plan," Ryan said. "It's a real advantage having so many different things that we are capable of doing."

After film review, Mularkey weaves together different formations, shifts, play calls and motions to keep defenses off balance with his game-opening script.

"We feel like if we can study and work hard it, that can be a great advantage for us," Ryan said.

The Falcons believe they can sustain the good starts.

"It's adjustments, but we feel like a lot of the time it's mistakes that we make," Ryan said. "It's the little things, like a penalty here or a mental error during a play that throws us off rhythm and keeps us from being consistent."

2. Falcons must put up a Williams Wall: Carolina running back DeAngelo Williams is on pace to record his second consecutive 1,500-yard season.

He set a team-record last season rushing for 1,515 yards. He has 768 yards in eight games this season and seven touchdowns. In the first meeting, Williams rushed for 79 yards on 16 carries and one touchdown.

"He's a real powerful back," defensive tackle Trey Lewis said. "Especially with that cut back. He's always bouncing it outside. He's always creating lanes that wouldn't normally be there."

The Falcons will try to clamp down on Williams' galloping cut-back runs. He also shares some carries with Jonathan Stewart.

"They get the ball in once place, and they can end up any place on the field," cornerback Tye Hill said. "They could possibly be the best tandem of backs in the league. We know what we are up against."

3. Keep the fire burning: With Matt Ryan in a funk, the Falcons will need to keep Michael "The Burner" Turner rolling along. He has rushed for 151 and 166 yards over the past two games.

The return of fullback Ovie Mughelli has helped to get the running game on track.

"He is a big part of what we do in the run game," Ryan said. "He does a great job of blocking against not only linebackers, but defensive linemen as well. When you have a big, strong fullback like that who opens up holes, it helps in the run game."

The Panthers will be without Thomas Davis, the team's second-leading tackler, who suffered a torn ACL and is out for the season. The former Georgia standout was blossoming under first-year defensive coordinator Ron Meeks.

"I want to continue to elevate my game," said Turner, who has 10 rushing touchdowns.

4. Panthers are hot: The Panthers defeated the defending NFC champion Arizona Cardinals 34-21 two weeks ago and went toe-to-toe with New Orleans for three quarters last Sunday before losing 30-20.

The Falcons know that it's going to be tough to sweep the Panthers for the first time since 2004.

"They are heating up on defense," Falcons wide receiver Roddy White said. "They are flying around. They've got people playing a whole lot better than the first meeting."

The Panthers signed defensive tackle Hollis Smith on Oct. 1 to help stabilize the interior of their defense. The 14-year veteran is playing well alongside Damione Lewis.

"Every time that you get a team the second go around, they'll have a favorite blitz or a new coverage that they want to play," White said. "They'll come out there like that and try to mix it up and give Matt different looks. We just have to handle it."

5. Delhomme is on a short leash: This one could turn into an all-day rush-a-thon. The Panthers have turned their fortunes around -- winning three of the past five -- by taking the ball out of the hands of quarterback Jake Delhomme.

He threw only 12 passes for 62 yards through three quarters against the Saints last week. His penchant for interceptions dictated the change in philosophy.

"We've cleaned that up [turnovers] in the last couple of weeks just to give us a chance to win," Carolina coach John Fox said.

But Delhomme passed for 308 yards and one touchdown against the Falcons in Week 2, a 28-20 victory. The game was not safe for the Falcons until Chris Houston intercepted Delhomme with 2:37 left in the game.

"We were definitely struggling in the passing game," Fox said. "I think in the last couple or weeks, that's much better now. I'm not saying that we are a well-oiled machine by any stretch, but we are definitely improving in that area, and hopefully we'll continue to improve."

Three key matchups

1. Carolina LT Jordan Gross vs. Atlanta RDE John Abraham: Abraham has been slowed by a foot injury, but is coming off two solid games. He shared a sack with Jonathan Babineaux last Sunday and was around the quarterback all day against the Redskins, and the Saints the previous Monday. He usually saves a strong game for the Panthers. Gross held him sackless and with one quarterback hit in the first meeting in Week 2.

2. Carolina RB DeAngelo Williams vs. Atlanta MLB Curtis Lofton: Lofton leads the NFL in tackles with 84, according to NFL.com stats. The Falcons coaches have given Lofton 95 tackles, including 67 solos, two forced fumbles and two passes defensed. His job will be to hit Williams at the point of attack; others will have to worry about Williams' cut-back runs.

3. Atlanta RB Michael Turner vs. Carolina MLB Jon Beason: Turner ran for 105 yards in the first meeting with the Panthers, who are playing much stronger on defense. Turner and Beason both earned their first Pro Bowl trips last season. Beason is the Panthers' leading tackler with 80 tackles.

The Falcons will win if ...

1. They put some salt on Peppers: Carolina's disgruntled franchise player is quietly putting together a season. He appears to be rushing the quarterback with vigor again. He has 35 tackles, seven sacks and 13 quarterback hits. Since 2002, he has 77.5 sacks, the third-most in the league. He was held to two tackles in the first game between the Falcons and the Panthers. Offensive tackle Tyson Clabo will have to continue to play well against Pepppers.

2. Get another big game from Babineaux: Defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux turned in what coach Mike Smith called his best game as a Falcon last week. He swarmed the Washington Redskins for 11 tackles and 2.5 sacks. He likely will command a double-team and will have to split it in order to be a disruptive force. His penetration will be key to slowing down Carolina's strong running game.

3. Keep Steve Smith under control: Wide receiver Steve Smith has not been a force this season. The Falcons don't need him to wake from his slumber. He has only 34 catches for 478 yards. However, he caught eight passes for 131 yards on Sept. 20 against the Falcons and was the intended target on Chris Houston's key interception.