4 crucial matchups that will decide Panthers vs. the Falcons in Week 14

(Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports) Cam Newton
(Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports) Cam Newton
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Carolina Panthers
(Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports) Chuba Hubbard

1 PM ET. Sunday, Dec 12. 87. FOX. 5-7. Panthers -3.0. 5-7. 44

What are some big-time matchups that should be fun to watch when the Carolina Panthers take on the Atlanta Falcons in Week 14?

The Carolina Panthers are staring down another lost season. But that doesn’t mean they have to go quietly.

While the organization showed their typical desire to win no matter the cost with the firing of offensive coordinator Joe Brady during the bye week, this also signaled that the Panthers have likely given up hope on seriously contending in 2021 and are turning their attentions to next season.

The departure of Brady less than two years into his tenure is surprising given the hype when the hire was made and the fact that he had multiple head coach interviews at the NFL level this last offseason. However, when looking at the team’s recent struggles and his part in them it becomes clear that this was inevitable.

Firing Brady during the bye is where things stop making sense. There were much better times to pull the trigger.

Cutting ties with your offensive leader with only a week to prepare for a game, when you could have done it before the bye and given them two, is not the best way to go about things and this puts interim appointment Jeff Nixon in a really tough position.

That position is to formulate a scheme capable of beating the Atlanta Falcons when they come to town in Week 14.

This game has none of the tension and playoff implications of those classic duels of just a few short years ago. But it’s still a division game and both teams always roll out the big guns when they face each other.

Neither team is in a position to compete for anything but a draft pick in 2021 – although that might change if the Panthers win and results go their way. However, this game should be a good one nonetheless.

Without further ado, here are four crucial matchups that will likely decide Carolina’s contest this Sunday.

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