3 key matchups: Panthers at Falcons

Tom Brady threw more than 600 passes in 2020 and is on pace to throw more than 750 in a 17-game season in 2021. For the sake of his health, and hits like this by Atlanta's Deion Jones, it might behoove the Bucs to continue running the ball as much as possible. (Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

Oct 30, 2021

FLOWERY BRANCH -- Here are three matchups to watch when the Panthers (3-4) play the Falcons (3-3) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium:

Panthers QB Sam Darnold vs. Falcons FS Jaylinn Hawkins: Darnold has completed 153 of 249 passes for 1,684 yards and has thrown for seven touchdowns and eight interceptions. He has a passer rating of 77.5. He is 16-29 in 45 starts. Hawkins has an interception in each of the past two games.

Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard vs. Falcons LB Deion Jones: Hubbard was drafted in the fourth round out of Oklahoma State this year and is attempting to replace Christian McCaffrey (hamstring), who’s missed 17 of the past 20 games. Hubbard’s the leading rusher with 84 carries for 309 yards and a touchdown. He’s a dependable check-down receiver with 17 catches for 110 yards. Jones is coming off a spectacular game that led to him being named the NFC defensive player of the week after making 15 tackles in the win over the Dolphins.

Panthers DT Derrick Brown vs. Falcons guards Chris Lindstrom and Jalen Mayfield: The Panthers like to move around Brown, the former AJC Super 11 out of Lanier High and Auburn. In his second season, he’s turning into a disruptive force. The Falcons will need to execute their combination blocks against Brown. “Those combinations are important,” Lindstrom said. “When you get those combination blocks, you want to take advantage of them. It’s always better to be two-on-one than one-on-one.”