Sports
Three key matchups: Panthers at Falcons
Dec 28, 2013
Panthers WR Ted Ginn vs. Falcons CB Robert McClain: In the Panthers’ big 17-13 win over the Saints, Ginn had 66 yards receiving and a 37-yard gain during the go-ahead touchdown drive. With Steve Smith possibly out with a knee injury, the Panthers will need Ginn to step up. He has 34 catches for 550 yards and four touchdowns this season. McClain ranks sixth on the team with 64 tackles and has six pass breakups with no interceptions.
Panthers LB Luke Kuechly vs. Falcons RB Steven Jackson: Kuechly ranks third in the NFL with 146 tackles. Kuechly has turned in a spectacular season. The Panthers give up 87.7 yards per game, which ranks second in the league. Jackson, who’s been a bust with the Falcons, has 144 yards for 502 yards (3.5 per carry) and six touchdowns. Jackson rushed for 57 yards on 13 carries in the previous meeting. His string of eight consecutive 1,000-yard seasons is about to be snapped.
Panthers DEs Greg Hardy and Charles Johnson vs. Falcons OTs Ryan Schraeder and Lamar Holmes: The Panthers’ ends have combined for 20 sacks. Hardy has 11 and Johnson has nine. Both can put tremendous pressure on the passer. This will be another big test for Schraeder and Holmes, who held up against San Francisco’s Ahmad Brooks and Aldon Smith. On 48 pass attempts, the Falcons gave up one sack. They battled and received a lot of help from chip blocks from backs, receivers and tight ends.
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
