The Falcons’ planned takeover of NFC South could be complete before Santa Claus takes to the skies Saturday night
The Falcons (9-5) require a Christmas Eve victory over the three-time NFC South division champion Panthers (6-8) and a victory by the Saints (6-8) over the Buccaneers (8-6) later in the day to earn the title outright.
The Falcons face the Panthers at 1 p.m. Saturday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Saints host the resurgent Bucs at 4:25 p.m.
The Falcons have not won the division since 2012 and would end Carolina’s reign, which peaked with a trip to Super Bowl 50 last winter.
“Through the years, competing against (Carolina coach) Ron (Rivera) and his team, I just thought what a tough group of guys they have,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “Over the last three years, they’ve showed as division champs their resiliency and toughness. I love the matchup against them.”
Between 2013-2015, the Panthers became the only team to repeat as the NFC South champion since the division was formed in 2002. The Falcons won the division in 2004 (11-5 under Jim Mora), 2010 (13-3 under Mike Smith) and 2012 (13-3, Smith). The 2004 and 2012 teams advanced to the NFC championship game, but were defeated by Philadelphia and San Francisco, respectively.
The Falcons, who defeated the Panthers 48-33 on Oct. 2 at the Georgia Dome, will get a boost from the return of All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones from a sprained toe injury. Jones did not play in the past two games against the Rams and the 49ers.
Last Monday night, the Panthers played some strong power-football in their 26-15 victory over Washington for their second straight win.
“We have to re-focus,” Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis said. “The Falcons are a different team than the one we played on Monday night and we understand that. We have to be ready for an extremely high-powered offense.”
Davis believes the Falcons are a stronger team than the one the Panthers faced back in October.
“I think their defense is playing a lot better now, too,” Davis said. “If you look at what they’ve been able to do, and in particular Vic Beasley getting the pressure … and the young guys, the linebackers flying around and making plays, I think they are a complete football team.”
Davis has been particularly impressed with Falcons rookie middle linebacker Deion Jones, who is second on the team with 87 tackles and first with three interceptions. He has returned two of his interceptions for touchdowns.
“I love the way the kid has been playing,” Davis said. “My hat’s off to him. I feel like he’s had a phenomenal year. I feel like the sky is the limit for him.”
The team’s contrasting styles are personified by their quarterbacks. The Falcons are powered by the NFL-best passing of Matt Ryan (114.4 quarterback rating) while the Panthers lean heavily on Cam Newton’s mobility.
Ryan needs one touchdown pass to eclipse his career-high of 32 in a season.
“I think when you look at the guys that are around Matt right now … the way there are running the offense and the precision with which he is throwing, I think that’s been the biggest difference,” Davis said. “He’s gotten comfortable in the new system and its showing.”
Newton has been under siege this season. Teams have tried to punish him whenever he leaves the pocket and officials have been called out for failing repeatedly to protect him from helmet shots.
Newton completed more than 50 percent of his passes for the first time in five games against Washington.
“He’s had his ups and downs, but for the most part the guy works hard and he’s really kind of putting it all together now,” Rivera said. “I think a big part of it has been that we’ve got some continuity up front. For the first time, we’ve had a group of guys that have started together for four straight games.
“He feels comfortable … his confidence is growing in those guys. You see him stepping into throws a lot more and really be able to throw as he’s driving into the ball.”
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