Falcons in no position to take 1-12 Panthers lightly

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (88) celebrates with quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Atlanta. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won 29-25. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik) Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (88) celebrates with quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Atlanta. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won 29-25. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)

By D. Orlando Ledbetter / The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (TNS) December 12, 2023 4 min read

FLOWERY BRANCH – A lot has transpired with the Carolina Panthers since the season-opening 24-10 loss to the Falcons in Atlanta in September.

Frank Reich is no longer the head coach, No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young is still looking for his first win over an NFC South team and team is looking to end a six-game losing streak – its second six-game skid of the season.

But when the Falcons (6-7) face the Panthers (1-12), who are now playing for interim head coach Chris Tabor, Sunday in Charlotte, they know they’ll have a tough fight on their hands.

“One thing is for sure, they are going to give us everything that they’ve got,” defensive end Calais Campbell said. “They are going to fight. We are definitely going to be as prepared as we can be.”

The Panthers, who traded up in the 2023 draft to acquire the top pick, came to town for the season opener with the rookie quarterback Young and were full of promise. But the Falcons won 24-10 and the Panthers dropped their next five games.