Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers Open Thread

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 8:00 AM EDT in Events

After their second ridiculously easy game of the season, the Falcons face notorious nemesis Carolina in an actual game of football. This will be a good indicator of whether or not the Falcons can hang with decent teams, as the Panthers look to be the very definition of decent this season.

To win this game, the Falcons will have to control the clock and get Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood a ton of carries. If they can wear out the defense, Matt Ryan should have little trouble sticking to 15-20 passes and not overexposing his rookie-level decision making. If this game gets out of hand, though, the Falcons could fall behind big.

Join me after the jump for this storied rivalry game (or something).

Who? Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET

Where? Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Weather? The forecast calls for Thunderstorms. Fortunately, Michael Turner cannot be harmed by the elements.

Fun Fact? Albeit against bad teams, the Falcons are averaging nearly 100 yards more on offense than the Panthers. A good defensive effort would go a long way this week.

Injuries? Laurent Robinson is likely out, and Sam Baker could miss the game as well. There's a small chance bust struggling defensive end Jamaal Anderson could miss the game, too. The Panthers are likely to be without backup QB Matt Moore and fourth or fifth string WR Ryne Robinson.

Odds? Carolina over Atlanta 6.5, Over/Under 36.5

Foe? My good friend Jaxon at Cat Scratch Reader will be on the ones and twos for the game, so be sure to stop by there and see what's going on in Panther Nation.

GO FALCONS! Let's endanger these Panthers!

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Comments

I dont like...

…our odds…

by Grayson on Sep 28, 2008 8:04 AM EDT reply actions

I'm staying positive

If we have a good game plan and stick to it, I think we can play with the Panthers. Maybe I’m the eternal optimist, but I think we have a decent chance today.

by newsome on Sep 28, 2008 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Baker's out

as if there was any question.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 1:00 PM EDT reply actions

Reversal of fortune

What a break having a defensive TD called back. We’ll see what happens…

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 1:07 PM EDT reply actions

Kindal Moorehead

Dumb ass penalty gives Carolina a first down, after a 3rd down defensive stop. Next play goes to our 10 yard line, then a TD. Booo.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 1:28 PM EDT reply actions

Harry Douglas

Nice catch in traffic for a first down.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 1:37 PM EDT reply actions

Field Goal

Well, at least we got points and got on the board. Now let’s go defense!

by newsome on Sep 28, 2008 1:40 PM EDT reply actions

Falcons used no-huddle offense

and moved the ball pretty well before stalling.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 1:41 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed

I wasn’t expecting to see that!

by newsome on Sep 28, 2008 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions

As long as it keeps working

we’ll keep doing it, I hope.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions

SPECIAL TEAMS!

Good special teams play… now let’s make something out of it!

by newsome on Sep 28, 2008 1:50 PM EDT reply actions

Great break

I didn’t know Abraham played on special teams! Nice punt block.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 1:51 PM EDT reply actions

Nice gift

Even if it’s only 3 points.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 1:52 PM EDT reply actions

Damn

I come back and watch the Panthers score. Not cool.

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 2:12 PM EDT reply actions

Crappy tackling in Falcons' secondary

led to the TD. Houston was beaten at the line, Coleman and Milloy both missed tackles after the catch. Hell of a way to (almost) end the half.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 2:15 PM EDT reply actions

Norwood

nice run, we need a TD on this drive.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 2:16 PM EDT reply actions

Nice

Norwood takes off.

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 2:17 PM EDT reply actions

Nice pass to Roddy

by mcboyt on Sep 28, 2008 2:20 PM EDT reply actions

Stupid Gameday

Has the Falcons going backward. Geez.

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 2:21 PM EDT reply actions

they kinda are, thanks to the holding penalties

by mcboyt on Sep 28, 2008 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Another holding call

on Dahl. Off with his head!

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 2:22 PM EDT reply actions

Dahl

He’s got talent, but if he doesn’t learn discipline this will be his last year starting for the Falcons.

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 2:24 PM EDT reply actions

Disturbing

that Dahl is starting-quality talent on this team. Upgrading the OL should be way up there on the offseason to-do list.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I know we're going young

And I know Dahl’s a mauler, but your best offensive linemen can keep themselves in check. Dahl’s got a long way to go.

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Converted the gift

on the Carolina penalty. Kick ass!

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 2:25 PM EDT reply actions

We're keeping this one close

I’ll take it.

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 2:27 PM EDT reply actions

Grimey with 8 tackles

Now there’s a gamble that’s working well.

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 2:29 PM EDT reply actions

Does it mean anything

when a CB has 8 tackles in a half? That’s kind of a lot.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Just means

He’s either being targeted (likely) or flying all over the field (also likely.) Either way, at least he can tackle.

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I was expecting a Tampa kind of game

So far, it’s gone a little better than I thought it would.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 2:29 PM EDT reply actions

14-9 at the half

We’re in this, which is encouraging. Now it’s time to steal the game away.

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 2:33 PM EDT reply actions

We might not have to steal it

Carolina might GIVE it to us, like that last FG or the defensive TD they had called back on the Falcons’ first possession.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Alright, let's try this

What’s the final score of this game? Closest person to it wins…my admiration?

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 2:38 PM EDT reply actions

Falcons 19, Panthers 17. Keeping my fingers crossed for a win by default.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions

DeAngelo Williams

Needs to remember that he’s a crappy running back.

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 2:46 PM EDT reply actions

Alright

Let’s make like a frat boy and score!

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 2:48 PM EDT reply actions

Hmmm

One step forward, one step back for Turner.

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 2:53 PM EDT reply actions

Puntfest

Falcons get another shot at the end zone.

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 2:59 PM EDT reply actions

Douglas!

Big drop on 3rd down.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 3:04 PM EDT reply actions

Stalled out

Just short of field goal territory. Frustrating.

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 3:05 PM EDT reply actions

Damn

Panthers moving.

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 3:07 PM EDT reply actions

Tearing us up

on the short passes.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 3:09 PM EDT reply actions

No turnovers yet

on either side. A takeaway could well be a momentum (and game) changer.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 3:12 PM EDT reply actions

A good pick

Off Delhomme could do it.

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions

The way it's going

it will take something like that for the Falcons to win. Carolina’s defense is pretty will stifling everything the Falcons try.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions

23-9

As Muhammad drags Grimey into the end zone.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 3:24 PM EDT reply actions

I spoke too soon

About the tackling.

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Damn

That could well be the ballgame. They’re going to need a superlative effort to get back into this.

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 3:24 PM EDT reply actions

Yep

Carolina’s defense is not going to stop dominating our O-line now.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Ryan

Looking decent today. The very definition of decent.

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 3:29 PM EDT reply actions

Considering

that the Carolina D-line has been in his face a lot, he’s done pretty well. If they’re going to lose, at least be better for the experience.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 3:31 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah

Though you hate to see the offense look so vanilla, no matter who they’re playing.

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions

OL is overmatched

just like the Tampa game. I’m beginning to resign myself to this stuff whenever we face a decent defense.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Terence Moore

will interpret this as the death knell of the franchise.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 3:41 PM EDT reply actions

The sky isn't just falling

It’s on fire.

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Worst fantasy day ever

I’m going to punch the guys from Rotoworld in the face after today.

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 3:41 PM EDT reply actions

Football is just a game

but Fantasy League makes you want to hurt someone.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I have patience with the Falcons

Because I love them and they’re supposed to be rebuilding. My Jay Cutler-led team is supposed to be doing nothing of the sort.

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I feel your pain

Played rotisserie baseball in the ‘80s and it was freakin’ consuming. You get a sense of personal investment that can become way out of proportion to reality.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Falcons get the ball

Let’s see some offense!

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 3:41 PM EDT reply actions

For us to win

…we must score two TD’s and have a two point conversion on one of them…that aint happening…

by Grayson on Sep 28, 2008 3:46 PM EDT reply actions

This game is uglier

than a Sarah Palin interview.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 3:46 PM EDT reply actions

Just like a Socialist President Obama...

The Panthers are taking away all of the Falcons opportunity.

on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city

by southtunnel on Sep 28, 2008 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Just like politics on a sports blog

That game was pointless and left everyone feeling bad about themselves.

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Socialist?

Why would ya say a crazy thing like that, hon? Ya need a good moose steak, is what you need. And maybe some lovin’ from a big old Alaska gal, ya seem kinda lonely. Yaaah.

Go you Falcons, yaaah.

by Sarah Palin on Sep 28, 2008 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Got any opinions on the game, Mrs. VP?

by Dave Choate on Sep 29, 2008 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions

This game is uglier

Than Adam Jennings on a punt return.

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 3:50 PM EDT reply actions

Now, now

let’s not start saying things we can’t take back!

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, at least we didn't go for the field goal

Wasn’t worth it at this point, anyways.

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 3:52 PM EDT reply actions

Ugh

I think I’m most disappointed by the offense in this one. You can’t win too many games if all you can do is kick a few field goals. Disappointing.

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 3:59 PM EDT reply actions

Back to the O-line

We’ve got talent at the skill positions, that leaves the line. Upgrade!!!

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 4:01 PM EDT reply actions

My one frustration with the draft

Is that we didn’t further upgrade the offensive line. We really, really should have picked up a project in the later rounds.

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Baker was a good pick

but not enough help, agree. Comrade must make right in offseason or face wrath of Supreme Commander Blank.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 28, 2008 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions

There is help out there

I think this tema is well-positioned for the future outside of the offensive line, and Blalock and Baker still have a lot of promise. Even Clabo’s not bad by any stretch.

by Dave Choate on Sep 28, 2008 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions