Written by Clark Gerber, a contributor for WRAL Sports.

Atlanta Falcons
Carolina Panthers
FOX | Sunday, December 17th 1:00 PM EST

Out of all the negative occurrences during last Sunday’s game in New Orleans, there was one that has really bothered Panthers interim head coach Chris Tabor.

In the second quarter, the Saints successfully blocked a punt from Johnny Hekker, resulting in a crucial touchdown and giving them a two-score lead at halftime.

This has also caused Tabor, who is currently the team’s special teams coordinator, to doubt everything as Carolina prepares to welcome Atlanta this weekend.

According to Tabor, when you make a mistake, you must thoroughly review and determine if it was a problem with the plan or simply an oversight, even though it may be unpleasant.

After identifying the issue, it will likely guide you towards your desired goal. Therefore, for us, we are eagerly awaiting Sunday to confirm if we have resolved it.

It appears that quarterback Bryce Young shares this attitude, as he recently had another disappointing game as the team’s leader. His teammates have noticed and have been impressed with his determination to improve, despite the challenges of a difficult season.

Adam Thielen, a veteran receiver, stated that he has noticed the most development in him in terms of maturity. He believes that the player has shown a great ability to move on from difficult situations and focus on the task at hand. Thielen also mentioned that the player’s attitude and mindset have greatly improved throughout the week, especially after a tough loss or game.

The Panthers and their young players are looking for improved performance on the field this week, as last week’s game saw season-low completion percentage (36.1%) and passer rating (48.0%). They also hope to apply the lessons learned from their previous game against the Falcons, where three turnovers led to a disappointing season-opener.

“I am becoming increasingly comfortable with executing and efficiently perceiving things,” Young stated. “I believe I am progressing in this area and must continue to do so.”

With four games remaining, there is still hope that the newcomer can improve the situation and use these challenging moments as a launching pad for a successful career in the Hall of Fame, following in the footsteps of those who came before him.

Tabor mentioned that some quarterbacks become successful due to their experiences during their first year in the league. He referenced a specific player, Peyton Manning, who went through this and ultimately had a successful career.

I will focus on the positive instead of dwelling on the negative because it is too effortless to do so. Discussing the negative is a simple conversation, whereas the positive requires effort and perseverance. I prefer to be on the positive side because it presents a challenge, and as a competitor, I enjoy challenges.

Game Strategy: Panthers vs. Falcons

The Falcons should be challenged to pass more, as Atlanta relies heavily on their run game to win. In their previous games, the Falcons have struggled when passing 30 or more times, only winning 2 out of 5 times. The Panthers should prioritize stopping the run and putting pressure on Desmond Ridder to throw.

2. Generate key points The Falcons emerged victorious in their initial encounter, largely due to their ability to convert 3 turnovers into 17 points. The Panthers must repay the favor on Sunday by creating advantageous field positions for their struggling offense. As we reiterate every week, Carolina ranks last in creating takeaways for themselves. They must break this pattern and compel at least two turnovers in this game.

3. Protect Bryce Young The most troubling stat of the week may be that the Panthers have allowed 3 or more sacks in eight straight games. And in seven of those eight, it was 4+ sacks. Bryce Young is getting hit way too much. He needs to stay upright for the offense to have a chance to succeed. Look for Carolina to break its streak and allow 2 or fewer sacks on Sunday.

Numbers to know

In their last 12 matchups, the Panthers have only won 3 times against the Falcons and have a record of 1-4 at home.

Carolina’s offense has failed to score more than 20 points in their last seven games, which is currently the longest streak in the league. So far this season, the Panthers have been averaging 15.2 points per game, placing them 30th in the NFL.

Bijan Robinson, the running back for the Falcons, is currently in the midst of his most successful stretch as a rookie. In the past four games, Robinson has been averaging 19.5 carries for 99 yards and has scored a total of four touchdowns.

In the past four games, the Panthers’ rushing offense has excelled with an average of 135.8 yards per game and a 4.2 yards per carry average. On the other hand, their passing offense has struggled with only 121.8 yards per game and a net yards per attempt of 3.3.

The Falcons’ pass defense has been exceptional on the road, limiting opposing teams to an average of 153.3 passing yards and a net average of 4.6 yards per attempt.

Source: wralsportsfan.com