The Carolina Panthers enter Week 14 in a do-or-die situation, but there are plenty of reasons why they can beat the Atlanta Falcons.
After a good period of recuperation and some typical drama, the Carolina Panthers get back down to business in Week 14 at home to the Atlanta Falcons. Matt Rhule’s men still hold out some hope of reaching the postseason despite two disastrous losses before the bye, although quarterback Cam Newton was clearly sick of hearing all that talk with the team on such a poor run of form since their 3-0 start.
There is increasing pressure across the organization. One only has to look at offensive coordinator Joe Brady being fired to see that seats might be getting a little warm in Carolina.
The only way a situation like this gets resolved is by securing positive results. Something the Panthers will be aiming to do against a Falcons team they’ve already beaten this season and get the opportunity to sweep for the first time since 2013.
This really is do-or-die for the Panthers. Here are four reasons why they can win this weekend.
Reason No. 1
Jeff Nixon’s could galvanize the Carolina Panthers offense
Joe Brady’s departure has left the Panthers moving forward with Jeff Nixon, a long-time friend of Matt Rhule’s who was his offensive coordinator during their time together at Baylor. It’s been a baptism of fire for the coach this week, but he might do just enough to spark Carolina’s offense despite the absence of Christian McCaffrey.
Rhule and Brady clearly weren’t on the same page when it came to the gameplay approach. One wanted to run the football more and the other was intent on throwing often in pursuit of moving the chains.
Nixon will toe the line and implement the ethos of his head coach. Providing the players are also fully on board, it could see an upturn from a production standpoint.