4 big Carolina Panthers storylines to watch at the Falcons in Week 8

What are the big storylines to keep a close eye on when the Carolina Panthers take on the Atlanta Falcons in a crucial Week 8 matchup?

Gameday for the Carolina Panthers has arrived after one of the most eventful weeks in recent memory. A complete collapse at the New York Giants was quickly followed by some intense Deshaun Watson speculation once again, which eventually saw the organization rule themselves out of the running due to the asking price and the quarterback’s current legal complications away from the field.

Again, the Panthers have been saying all the right things. But talk is cheap at this stage and unless they don’t raise their game considerably at the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8, it would be nothing short of a catastrophe.

With two days to go before the trade deadline after Carolina’s latest contest, any further regression could see the Panthers become active either strengthening their roster or selling some prized assets for valuable draft capital.

Which way it goes has yet to be determined. But here are four big storylines to keep a close eye on at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Big Storyline No. 1

Carolina Panthers need Robby Anderson to get it together

Robby Anderson’s fall from grace isn’t all his own doing. But the wide receiver must do a better job of taking chances when they are presented.

Drops are becoming a problem and whatever cohesion Anderson and quarterback Sam Darnold generated together on the New York Jets is non-existent in Carolina. This has resulted in a steep drop in production from the Temple product, who was given a two-year extension this offseason to quickly end the speculation surrounding his future.

Anderson has another good opportunity to make a substantial impression against a suspect secondary. This will all depend on just what confidence the wideout has left and how much this has been damaged due to recent performances.