5 questions with the Falcons camp ahead of Week 5 matchup

We sat down with an Atlanta Falcons expert for five big questions ahead of their Week 5 contest against the Carolina Panthers.

The Carolina Panthers will look to buck a concerning history of results against the Atlanta Falcons in their Week 5 matchup. There is plenty at stake for Matt Rhule’s men as they go in pursuit of a winning record for the first time this season. And in all honestly, they will probably not get a better opportunity.

This is a winnable game for the Panthers, in no uncertain terms. Atlanta has started the campaign in a disastrous fashion that has left plenty of experts predicting that another reverse to an NFC South rival would be all she wrote for beleaguered head coach Dan Quinn.

Carolina is heading into Sunday’s game with completely different fortunes. They are currently on a two-game winning streak that sees them at 2-2 and looking like a team that might just make their preseason predictions look a little foolish when it is all said and done.

However, they should underestimate the Falcons at their peril.

The Panthers have a dismal record at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in recent years, and the Falcons still possess plenty of dangerous weapons on both sides of the ball such as Matt Ryan, Grady Jarrett, Calvin Ridley, and Julio Jones, who is questionable for the clash after missing practice this week due to a hamstring issue.

What can the Carolina Panthers expect from the Falcons on Sunday?

We sat down with the talented Jeffrey Benedict, who is the site expert at Blogging Dirty for five questions from behind enemy lines ahead of Sunday’s contest.

What have you made of the Falcons season so far?

A trainwreck would not be an accurate description even though its appropriate. The season has been frustrating. They have been the most talented team on the field each of the first four weeks but they refuse to do the small things it takes to win games.

Will this be the end for Dan Quinn if Atlanta loses to the Carolina Panthers?

Falcons owner Arthur Blank has said he will not make a move until they are mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. At this point, firing him only makes the fans happy but isn’t going to change the season.

Only one team in NFL history has started 0-4 and made the playoffs and that was the ‘92 Chargers. I think he is fired at some point, but I would be shocked if it happened in the season.

How are the Falcons viewing Carolina’s start to the season?

I can honestly tell you, Falcons fans have not given a thought to anything the other three teams in the division have done. We are all too distraught over what we have seen over the first four weeks to even care about anyone else.

There seem to be a lot of Teddy Bridgewater fans in the area, I think many of them hope he does well and many are probably hoping Carolina wins big in hopes Dan Quinn will be fired sooner than later.

Which areas do you think the Falcons can exploit?

The Falcons have been hit hard by injuries and will be down a lot of starters, so I can honestly tell you, there isn’t a single area they can exploit. There is probably hope that the offense can take advantage of the Panthers secondary but Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter doesn’t seem to understand how to exploit matchup advantages that this offense has week in, week out.

How do you think the game will go/prediction?

I think Teddy Bridgewater takes advantage of the Falcons injuries and this could end up being ‘whoever has the ball last’ wins the game type scenario.

Even though Atlanta has dominated this rivalry (8-2 in the last ten meetings), I think this one goes to Carolina, 41-40.

We at Cat Crave would like to thank Jeffrey Benedict for his time and if you’re looking for the best coverage of the Atlanta Falcons, then look no further than Blogging Dirty for news, analysis, and everything in between.