Here are 5 things to mull over before today's 1 p.m. kickoff between the Atlanta Falcons (9-5) and the Carolina Panthers (6-8) at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
1. HOW THE FALCONS CLINCH A PLAYOFF BERTH: Here's what has to happen for the Falcons to clinch a playoff berth:
ATLANTA FALCONS (9-5) at Carolina (6-8)
Atlanta clinches NFC South division title with:
- ATL win + TB loss or tie OR
- ATL tie + TB loss
Atlanta clinches a playoff berth with:
- ATL win + ATL clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over DET OR
- ATL win or tie + GB loss or tie OR
- ATL win + DET loss or tie OR
- ATL tie + DET tie OR
- WAS loss or tie + GB loss OR
- WAS loss or tie + GB tie + DET loss
2. REVIEW OF GAME ONE: The Falcons defeated the Panthers 48-33 in a game that was a one-score affair with 1:53 to play on Oct. 2 at the Georgia Dome.
The Falcons opened a 34-10 lead, but could close out the Panthers until cornerback Robert Alford returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown with 1:14 to play.
Here’s the REPORT CARD from Game One vs. Carolina.
3. THREE KEY MATCHUPS: Here's a look at three key matchups:
Falcons DE/OLB Vic Beasley vs. Carolina RT Darull Williams: Beasley is having a breakthrough season as he leads the NFL is sacks (14.5) and forced fumbles (six). He will play defensive end in the nickel and was seen spying San Francisco's Colin Kaepernick from linebacker last week. Trai Turner, a Pro Bowl guard, slid out to right tackle when Williams went down in the Oakland game. Turner moves back inside to guard as Williams returns from a high ankle sprain.
Falcons RB Devonta Freeman vs. Panthers LB A.J. Klein: A week after being held to 6 yards on six carries, Freeman was named the NFC offensive player of the week for his bounce-back performance against San Francisco. He rushed 20 times for 139 yards (7.0 per carry) and three touchdowns. He now has 12 total touchdowns, which is tied for fifth in the league. Pro Bowl middle linebacker Luke Kuechly was cleared through the concussion protocol, but Klein continued to man the spot for the Panthers against Washington. He had five tackles and one for a loss against the Redskins.Falcons' wide receivers vs. Panthers cornerbacks: Falcons All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones had 12 catches for 300 yards against the Panthers on Oct. 2. Early in the season, the Panthers' revamped secondary without out Josh Norman was clearly having problems. Promising rookies James Bradberry and Daryl Worley start for the Panthers. Bradberry, a second-round pick from Samford, is the left cornerback and Worley, a third-round pick from West Virginia, plays on the right side. Taylor Gabriel, Aldrick Robinson and Mohamed Sanu have all stepped to replace Jones over the past two games.
4. TALE OF THE TAPE: 2016 Regular Season Statistics Rankings:
Falcons Panthers
33.5 (1) Points/Game 24.1 (14)
412.9 (2) Total Offense 347.3 (17)
116.7 (8) Net Rushing Yards/Game 111.9 (10)
296.1 (3) Net Passing Yards/Game 235.4 (19)
30:02 (19) Possession Average 30:59 (7)
25.6 (26t) Opponent Points/Game 25.1 (25)
368.9 (25) Opponent Total Offense 360.6 (22)
101.5 (15) Opp. Rushing Yards/Game 85.8 (3)
267.4 (30) Opp. Passing Yards/Game 274.8 (32)
+8 (4t)m Turnover Differential +1 (17)
5. NFL OFFICIALS:
The Vinovich Crew -- R: Bill Vinovich (52), FJ: Michael Banks (72), U: Bruce Stritesky (102), SJ: Gary Cavaletto (60), HL: Phil McKinnely (110), BJ: Greg Meyer (78), LJ: Mark Pearlman (9), RO: Darryll Lewis.
[cmg_cinesport url="http://cinesport.ajc.com/embed/ajc-atlanta-sports/d-led-who-falcons-want-avoid/"]
The AJC's D. Orlando Ledbetter & Noah Coslov chat about Julio Jones' status, what makes this Falcons team different than years past & the teams that Falcons don't want to see in the playoffs.
GAME 14: Falcons 41, 49ers 13
5 things we learned from the Falcons' win over the 49ers
What Matt Ryan had to say about the win over the 49ers
PHOTOS: Falcons win over the 49ers
GAME 13: Falcons 42, Rams 14
REPORT CARD: Falcons handled their business against woeful Rams
GAME 12: Chiefs 29, Falcons 28
Falcons still control their playoff destiny
PHOTOS: Falcons have a bad day at the office
Matt Ryan tormented by Berry's big interceptions
Beasley becomes a double-digit sacker
GAME 11: Falcons 38, Cardinals 19
5 things we learned from the Falcons' win over the Cardinals
Julio Jones gets calls this time
Taylor Gabriel continues scoring streak in win over Cardinals
Coleman scores TD in return from injury
Falcons' offensive line 'stepped up to the task'
Ryan, offense slowed down to a crawl
Perkins stalls key drive with costly penalty
Defense gets blown of the line of scrimmage
Keanu Neal can expect fine but Falcons' biggest issue is injuries (Trufant and Tamme)
Falcons go into bye week wrong way -- beat up by Eagles
What Dan Quinn had to say after the loss to the Eagles
What the Falcons had to say after the loss to the Eagles
PHOTOS: Falcons fall to the Eagles
GAME NINE: Falcons 43, Buccaneers 28
5 things we learned from the Falcons' rout of the Bucs
GAME EIGHT: Falcons 33, Packers 32
5 things we learned from the Falcons' 33-32 win over the Packers
Finally, the Falcons finish: 'We had to stop the bleeding'
GAME SEVEN: Chargers 33, Falcons 30 in OT
5 things we learned from the Falcons loss to the Chargers
Dan Quinn's gamble with house-money backfires
6 penalties 'unacceptable' for Falcons offensive line
Philip Rivers confounds Falcons with short passes: 'He picked us apart'
Matt Ryan's late-game interception leads to overtime loss
PHOTOS: Chargers rally to beat Falcons
GAME SIX: Seahawks 26, Falcons 24
5 things we learned from the Falcons loss to the Seahawks
MARK BRADLEY: The Falcons didn't win, but they made one guy believe (me)
MARK BRADLEY: The Falcons got jobbed but did themselves proud
Matt Ryan's turnovers were costly
What Dan Quinn had to say after the 26-24 loss to Seattle
Seattle slows down Falcons' running backs Freeman, Coleman
Ryan Schraeder, offensive line rebounds in second half
Julio Jones: 'It was just a missed call'
What the Falcons had to say after the 26-24 loss to Seattle
What Matt Ryan had to say after the 26-24 loss to Seattle
Richard Sherman non-commital on pass interference non-call
PHOTOS: Falcons at Seahawks in Seattle
GAME FIVE: Falcons 23, Broncos 16
5 things we learned from the Falcons upset of Super Bowl champs
MARK BRADLEY: The Falcons rock a rookie in the Rockies
What Dan Quinn have to say after the win over Denver
Coleman amassed 163 yards to power the offense
Vic Beasley has breakout game with 3.5 sacks
Kemal Ishmael moved to linebacker, led team in tackles
What the Falcons had to say after the win over the Broncos
Photos: Falcons battle the Broncos
GAME FOUR: Falcons 48, Panthers 33
5 things we learned from the Falcons' 48-33 win over the Panthers
Tweetcap: Falcons 48, Panthers 33
Old pro Freeney shows new trick with Falcons
Falcons' rookie Neal holds on vs. Olsen
What Julio Jones had to say after the 48-33 win over the Panthers
What Dan Quinn had to say after the 48-33 win over the Panthers
What Matt Ryan had to say after the 48-33 win over the Panthers
Alford battled; Collins to return
Early view in NFC South isn't what most expected; Falcons on top
GAME THREE: Falcons 45, Saints 32
5 things we learned from the Falcons' 45-32 win over the Saints
Falcons, Saints protest with unity circle before game
REPORT CARD: Falcons earned high marks for drubbing Saints
What Dan Quinn had to say after the 45-32 win over the Saints
What Matt Ryan had to say after the 45-32 win over the Saints
What the Falcons had to say after the 45-32 win over the Saints
Keanu Neal makes strong debut for Falcons
Falcons' Deion Jones runs for glory, not survival, in return home
AJC POWER RANKINGS: Falcons best in NFC South?
GAME TWO: Falcons 35, Raiders 28
5 things we learned from the Falcons' win over the Raiders
Trufant's heads-up play saves the day
Tight ends help to power offense
Weatherspoon plays strong in first start since 2013
Matthews, Schraeder held Mack sack-less
JEFF SCHULTZ: Falcons put on offensive show and win
What Matt Ryan had to say after beating the Raiders
What Dan Quinn had to say after the win over the Raiders
GAME ONE: Buccaneers 31, Falcons 24
5 things we learned from the Falcons' loss to the Bucs
No sacks for new-look Falcons pass rush
Julio Jones not worried about his ankle injury
Falcons have a case of the "no-huddle" blues
REPORT CARD: Falcons can't 'gift' opponents 17 points
FILM REVIEW: Beasley missing in action
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