It's that time of the week again where we breakdown our opponents offense. This week of course we face the Atlanta Falcons in our second meeting of the season. When we first started this season we all expected Atlanta to struggle and looking down the schedule said okay week 4 we should win against a rebuilding team. Atlanta was 2-1 at the time and still didn't garner much respect from the league, after all, the teams they beat where the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs. In their loss, Matt Ryan put up a relative sinker of a game against Tampa, completing only 40% of this passes no touchdowns and two interceptions and meanwhile Turner was held to under 50 yards. Everyone figured, sure they could win the easy ones but give them a half solid team and they will fold.

Not anymore, Matt Ryan has shown he should develop into a solid starting QB, if not an elite QB, and Michael Turner has put together quite a season, 971 yards, 9 TD, and a solid 4.3 yards per attempt. Combine them with star receiver Roddy White and currently a solid up-and-coming Michael Jenkins and they put together a serious threat on offense. Most offensive linemen don't get much attention as there is little to judge them on. However, for Atlanta without their linemen playing so well rest of the offensive wouldn't be the same, they've only allowed 12 sacks this season.

Twelve weeks into the season and you can see Atlanta's offense is quite solid all around. Elite is not a word associated with them right now, but combine this years success with another year and a few more solid moves and we could very well wish Atlanta was in another division.

Overall, the Falcons offense rank 7th in total yard per game and 12th in total points scored. Looking just at stats, the rushing game is their strength, ranked 2nd in the league while their passing game is in the middle ranked 14th.

Lucky for us however, is that the Panthers defense isn't to shabby all around. Ranked 8th overall, 5th in passing yard allowed (185.4 yds / game) but with a dip in rushing defense at 17th (107.6 yds / game). Yet we have only allowed an average of 15.5 points per game this year to earn us the spot of 3rd place. So the Panthers 5th ranked passing defense will face the Falcons 14th ranked passing offensive, but our 17th ranked rush defense will face the 2nd rushing offense.

With that in mind here are the top match-ups I'll be watching when our defense is on the field and what the defense will have to do to help the Panthers win. This week its fairly straight forward.

1. Falcons RB Michael Turner vs Panthers Run Defense

First and foremost the Panthers run defense must be ready for the challenge ahead. While the Panther defense did a large part of keeping us in the last two game, the Lions RB Kevin Smith was able to put up 112 yards and the week before Oakland's backfield put up 138 yards. If our defense can't slow down Turner this very well could be a long day. However, we can't over commit on the run defense as Roddy White will hurt us over the top.

2. Falcons WR Roddy White vs Panthers CB Chris Gamble

If Gamble can remove Roddy White from the picture or at least limit his success, that will definitely help the Turner factor. But he has a big challenge, White has the 3rd most receiving yards in the league with 903 yards and 3rd in receptions with 58. As I said before on the other side of the ball you have WR Michael Jenkins who is also in the top 50 in receptions yards and catches. Our safeties will have their hands full in trying to key on the run, but also providing the extra help over the top with the receivers.

Roddy is currently listed as questionable on today's injury report but I highly doubt he'll miss this game. If he does, well I don't think I have to say how big that would be.

3. Falcons T Todd Weiner vs Panthers DE Julius Peppers

Starting Falcons T Sam Backer is out for the game on Sunday, so Julius Peppers will be facing veteran backup T Todd Weiner. However, he was limited in practice on Friday and is listed as questionable with a knee injury, but I haven't heard how serious it maybe. Assuming he can play, he will face a dominate Peppers. Pep has been a force lately and would love to get his hands on Ryan a few times. If the Panthers are able force 3rd and long, expect a massive push from our D-line to through Ryan off balance. This would be the second way to keep Matt Ryan and Roddy White from making their big plays.

Of course if Weiner can't play who starts? My guess, just like White, is that he plays.

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It's a solid match-up Atlanta vs Carolina this weekend. It's not strength versus strength but is almost weakness versus strength. High ranked pass D versus middle of the road ranked pass offense and highly ranked rush offense versus middle of the ground ranked run defense. While that might be the case, I see the Panthers stepping up their game and providing just enough to allow the Panthers offense the help they need to win this game. They can't do it all this week so the offense will have to provide the points.

If we want to stay on top of the division we must win this game. Tampa Bay is only a game behind and they hold the head-to-head tie breaker. They play Detroit on Sunday. This alone should give them reason to play hard, if they need more than just playing a division foe. I realize this is not a give me game with the possibility we could lose but I'm optimistic and believe we will win.

Prediction: Panthers 20, Atlanta 17
(If Roddy White doesn't play: Panthers 24, Atlanta 10)