AT CAROLINA PANTHERS, 1 p.m. Sunday
Record: The Panthers are 3-5-1 before Monday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Monday's game: With Philadelphia quarterback Nick Foles out for several weeks with a collarbone injury, Mark Sanchez, the former New York Jets quarterback, will start for the Eagles against Carolina. The Panthers are 0-3-1 over the past four games.
The skinny: The Panthers started the season 3-2 as Cam Newton was coming off an ankle surgery. What was supposed to be a stingy defense has started to leak yardage and points. Former Falcons free safety Thomas DeCoud didn't play in the last game against New Orleans because of a hamstring injury, but returned to practice and may face the Eagles.
Series history: The Falcons lead 23-15. Since Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan told the Panthers to "Get the (expletive) off my field" after a thrilling 30-28 victory on Sept. 30, 2012 at the Georgia Dome, the Panthers have spanked the Falcons in three consecutive games.
State of the union: Carolina quarterback Cam Newton, of Westlake High, is in a slump. He has only thrown eight touchdown passes this season. Also, after not throwing an interception in his first three games of 2014, he's thrown in each of the past five games. He has not thrown for more than 300 yards or three touchdowns in a game this season. The locals are starting to get restless, with some calling for backup Derek Anderson and for the Panthers not to sign Newton to a long-term deal. Here's what Charlotte Observer columnist Scott Fowler summed up the situation: "I don't want to make a lot of excuses for Newton, because there's no doubt he isn't playing well. He has not been able to lift a team with otherwise mediocre talent to greatness, and the great players can do that year after year (see Brady, Tom). But Newton also has been let down by the team, because the pieces surrounding him too often can't be trusted. And it's not all injury-related – general manager Dave Gettleman made several offseason decisions that have returned to haunt him. Outwardly, Newton remains confident. Of the Panthers' game at Philadelphia on Monday night, he said: 'I think this game is going to be a great win for us.' "
Three things: 1) The Falcons' secondary can send the "Thank You" cards to Panthers general Dave Gettleman for pushing wide receiver Steve Smith out the door. Rookie Kelvin Benjamin has exceeded expectations, but he's not in Smith's league yet; 2) The Panthers have used five different offensive line combinations this season. Left tackle Bryon Bell (knee and elbow), left guard Amini Silatolu (right knee) and rookie right guard Trai Turner (left knee and ankle) returned to practice last week; 3) Carolina defensive end Greg Hardy remains on the exempt/Commissioner's Permission list as a result of his domestic violence case.
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