FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons coach Dan Quinn has Cam Newton's number.
He’s 3-0 against Newton and the Panthers over the past two seasons as the Seattle’s defensive coordinator.
He’s prepared for the Panthers’ run-heavy offense and knows the nuances of the attack that Newton has used to carry the Panthers to a 12-0 start.
The Falcons (6-6) face Newton and the Panthers at 1 p.m. Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.
“It’s our championship game for sure,” Quinn said.
In the divisional round of the playoffs last season, the Seahawks beat the Panthers 31-17. Newton completed 23 of 36 passes for 246 yards and rushed for 37 yards.
The Seahawks created three turnovers – including two interceptions off Newton – and converted them into two touchdowns. Seattle safety Kam Chancellor had a 90-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Quinn used both of his safeties, Earl Thomas and Chancellor, to slow down the Panthers. Chancellor had 10 tackles and Thomas had 11, including a forced fumble.
Falcons safeties William Moore and Ricardo Allen will have to be as active against the Panthers, who lead the league with 413 rushing plays and average 141.9 yards rushing per game, third in the league.
Moore believes that Newton gained an immeasurable amount of confidence from going to the playoffs last season, after pummeling the Falcons 34-3 in a winner-take-all game.
“He’s still doing the same things that he’s always done for the past few seasons, but now you can see the confidence that he’s playing with,” Moore said. “He’s got receivers that probably no one has really much heard of until now. He’s playing with confidence.”
Moore sees that confidence streaming through the entire team when he’s watching film.
“A team feeds off of the quarterback,” Moore said. “He’s playing with a lot of confidence and its striking through the whole team.”
Rookie defensive end Vic Beasley will have a key role in trying to contain Newton on read-option runs.
“He’s definitely a talented passer and runner,” Beasley said. “We are just going to try to do the best that we can and be discipline at the end positions and try to attack him as much as we can.”
In addition to Newton, the Panthers’ rushing attack is powered by running back Jonathan Stewart, who has rushed for 914 yards.
The Falcons are coming off two poor tackling games against Minnesota and Tampa Bay. They had 15 missed tackles against Minnesota and had “double digit” missed tackles against the Bucs, including four on a third-and-19 scramble by quarterback Jameis Winston.
“He’s a talented back,” Beasley said of Stewart. “Him and Cam Newton are a great duo. We must tackle well and play to the best of our ability. If we have missed tackles in this game, they will probably go for six.”
The Falcons will also try to keep Newton surrounded with a controlled pass rush. Newton does some his damage when he escapes the pocket.
“We know that if we don’t rush the proper way, he can beat us up the middle or even on the outside,” Beasley said. “We definitely have to keep him contained and keep a watch on him. If we can get pressure on him, it could hopefully cause over throws and turnovers.”
The Falcon have seen Newton’s highlights from this year. He’s willed the Panthers to wins with his big plays.
“They are rolling right now,” Beasley said. “They are in a good position right now. He’s an awfully good and talented quarterback.”
The Falcons haven’t even discussed Newton’s end zone dances.
Defensive coordinator Richard Smith said the only way to stop Newton’s dances is to keep him out of the end zone.
