5 key matchups to watch during the Panthers at Falcons in Week 8
By Noah Bryce
Kyle Pitts vs. A.J. Bouye – Carolina Panthers CB
Offseason acquisition A.J. Bouye has been a bit hit-and-miss in the slot this season with highlight moments for both the Carolina Panthers and their opposition.
Bouye found himself beat on double moves regularly on Sunday and looked to be just a step slower on the field than necessary at points. That’s a death sentence for a cornerback.
That type of play won’t fly against the Atlanta Falcons come Sunday.
Make no mistake, Kyle Pitts is no ordinary tight end. The superstar rookie is less Jason Whitten and more Julio Jones.
All of that talent and explosiveness coming from the tight-end position will be a hassle to try and contain. That call will have to be answered by Bouye in a big way.
In the last two games, Pitts has gone for 119 and 163 yards respectively, and shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. Which could spell problems for the Panthers secondary.
Containing a weapon like Pitts may prove to be a lesson in impossibility with how the rookie has been performing and the sky-high levels of potential he has. However, this is one thing the Panthers must find a way to accomplish.
Not that the team has been known to shut down the Falcons’ best receiver in recent memory.
Bouye has to be more consistent with his reads in this game and make the right decision on the first move or Pitts will find himself running free as much as Darius Slayton did in Week 7.