Here’s what Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan had to say about the Panthers:

On the Panthers' front seven. "Very good front seven. The have a deep rotation on the defensive line. They have a lot of guys who can make plays. Their linebackers are really good. All three of them do a great job both in the run game and the pass game. They are very athletic."

On their secondary. "Their secondary to me, the corners are more mature. There are guys who are coming into their own as younger players. I think they've done a nice job. Then they've got some physical safeties who do a nice job within their scheme."

On Carolina getting Thomas Davis back after his one-game suspension for his hit on Green Bay's Davante Adams. "Obviously, he's a great player, and when he's out, some of the things they like to do with him are a little bit different. At this time of the year we have plenty of tape of what they do with him in and with him out. He'll be there and we'll be ready for him on Sunday."