4 Panthers players crucial to potential shock NFC South title challenge

Shaq Thompson – Carolina Panthers LB

The Atlanta Falcons have one of the league’s most talented young playmakers in tight end Kyle Pitts and a very mobile quarterback in Marcus Mariota. This makes Shaq Thompson‘s contribution in Week 8 and beyond of critical importance.

While Thompson won’t shadow Pitts on every play, the veteran linebacker will be an integral part of limiting the damage.

A similar argument can be made containing Mariota on scrambles. The former Oregon standout loves to use his legs to pick up first-down yardage and extend plays, something that can drive a defensive line mad.

How do you counter this? By having a sideline-to-sideline linebacker watching that quarterback’s every move and closing when they break contain.

This combination of duties will have Thompson torn. But the leader of the Carolina Panthers defense has shown the ability to handle this in the past and Steve Wilks will be calling on him once again to step up and be that player they have always seen him as.

Thompson being that two-way player for the Panthers will go a long way to easing the strain on a somewhat taxed defense that has been rocked by injuries of late. Although just how much longer he’ll be around with the trade deadline looming is another matter.