Here are three key matchups when the Falcons (2-7) face the Panthers (5-4) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte:
Falcons MLB Deion Jones vs. Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey: Jones did an excellent job controlling New Orleans running back Alvin Kamara last week. Jones helped to hold him to 24 yards on four rushes. Kamara caught 8 of 10 passes when he was targeted for 50 yards, but didn't do any major damage. McCaffrey is another running-catching threat back, who is on pace to amass 2,462 yards from scrimmage, which would be the second best season in the NFL history behind Chris Johnson's 2,509 scrimmage yards in 2009.
Falcons CB Isaiah Oliver vs. Panthers WR Curtis Samuel: Oliver is coming off of perhaps his best game of the season. He had six tackles and one quarterback hit as the Falcons sent him on a cornerback blitz. Samuel, a 2017 second-round pick from Ohio State, has 34 receptions for 442 yards and leads the Panthers in touchdown catches with four:
Falcons LT Jake Matthews vs. Panthers DE Mario Addison: The Panthers lead the league in sacks with 26, and Addison leads the way with seven. Matthews and the Falcons' offensive line have given up 22 sacks, which ranks 11th in the league. The Falcons have an adjusted sack rate of 6.1% on pass plays, according to footballoutsiders.com. The league average is 7.2%. Addison stands up on the 3-4 on running downs and rushed from right defensive end against the Packers opposite of former Falcon Bruce Irvin.
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