New QB, on both sides
Neither of these defenses will face the same quarterback either did the first time around when these organizations faced off against one another in Week 6. At that time, there were no whispers of the Falcons moving on from Kirk Cousins, and Bryce Young had been replaced by Andy Dalton. The quarterback position for both clubs has changed drastically since then, though.
Young is back as the Panthers’ starter, while Michael Penix Jr. is about to embark on his third start as the Falcons’ man under center. We’ve seen what Penix has done with his late-season opportunity, but what of Young? Well, it’s been significantly better for the former No. 1 overall pick since he returned to the starting lineup after Dalton was in a car accident in late October that injured his right thumb on his throwing arm.
Prior to Young’s benching, he began the 2024 season with no touchdown passes, three interceptions and the third-worst total quarterback rating (8.9) over a two-game stretch since the metric began being used in 2011, according to ESPN. Since then, he’s helped the Panthers to three wins and increased his QBR to 54.0. He’s thrown 12 touchdowns to nine interceptions and he’s amassed over 2,000 yards passing. It hasn’t been perfect for Young, but it has been much better, even in losses.
Take his most recent appearance against the Bucs in Week 17 as an example. The Tampa defense kept Young under fire a lot. He was sacked five times and pressured on 68.6% of his dropbacks. Still, though, he found ways around the pressure. He tossed two touchdown passes and amassed over 200 passing yards for just the fifth time this season.
The Falcons have to prepare for a different type of quarterback in the pocket for the Panthers this time around. However, seeing as the Falcons’ pass rush has come alive since the bye week, that may be a moot point. But only time will tell on that front…
Running into the record books
Bijan Robinson is having a career-year, yes. But he’s also having a record-book year, too. Let’s start with the Falcons’ record book.
Robinson surpassed 1,700 yards from scrimmage his last time out in the Falcons’ loss to the Commanders. When he did so he became the seventh Falcon ever do amass that yardage in a single season. He already ran for over 1,000 yards a couple weeks ago, etching his name in that category, too, along with many others.
But he’s also on pace to do something that hasn’t been done since Hall of Fame-caliber players did it.
Robinson can tie Pro Football Hall of Famers Edgerrin James (32 games) and LaDainian Tomlinson (32) for the most games with at least 50 scrimmage yards by a player in his first two seasons in NFL history. Not bad company to keep. And considering Robinson averages just over 100 yards from scrimmage a game, this could very well come to fruition.
