QBs Younger and Penix are in highlight as Panthers and Falcons search for extra assist from passing sport – Spectrum Information

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ATLANTA (AP) — Carolina’s Bryce Younger and Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr. delivered an identical somber messages following disappointing performances in losses final week: “I’ve acquired to be higher.”
The quarterbacks are within the highlight because the Panthers and Falcons search extra balanced offense within the renewal of their NFC South rivalry on Sunday.
The Panthers (5-5) and Falcons (3-6) share related tales of frustration in current seasons. Every group is trying to snap a streak of seven consecutive shedding seasons and attain the playoffs for the primary time since 2017.
Every group is relying on its younger quarterback to spark a turnaround, however the 2025 outcomes have been combined because the operating video games have been extra dependable for Atlanta and Carolina. Penix and Younger rank twenty first and twenty fifth, respectively, in passing yards.
Falcons second-year coach Raheem Morris is dealing with elevated strain as final week’s 31-25 time beyond regulation loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Berlin left Atlanta with a four-game shedding streak. Morris is aware of criticism is a part of his job, however he has spoken extra this week about his concern about Penix “being so exhausting on himself” after finishing solely 12 of 28 passes for 177 yards and a landing towards the Colts.
Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson mentioned endurance is required with younger quarterbacks.
“Understanding how tough this sport is, understanding the immense strain that goes into that place, being the franchise quarterback, all of the totally different expectations that include younger quarterbacks, we will clearly leap on these guys tremendous early of their profession and never even give them an opportunity to develop,” Robinson mentioned.
Counting on the run
Every group has relied on deep operating video games. Carolina’s Rico Dowdle ranks third within the league in dashing and has assist from Chuba Hubbard. The Falcons counter with Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. Robinson, additionally productive as a receiver out of the backfield, ranks third within the league in scrimmage yards.
Low level for Penix
Penix has thrown solely three interceptions this season. Two picks got here in an unsightly 30-0 loss at Carolina on Sept. 21, together with one returned for a landing by Chau Smith-Wade. Penix accomplished solely 18 of 36 passes for 172 yards and former starter Kirk Cousins took over within the fourth quarter with the Falcons trailing 27-0.
Penix promised the Falcons shall be extra aggressive.
“Clearly in case you look again at that sport, they’d success in that sport,” Penix mentioned. “So, possibly they do present a few of the similar issues that they did in that sport, however we shall be prepared for each look. We’ll undoubtedly make it a greater sport than what we did final time.”
Defending Younger
The Panthers have been held to 175 complete yards in final week’s 17-7 residence loss to the one-win New Orleans Saints. Younger had simply 124 yards passing and turned the ball over twice. The Saints stuffed the field on protection to cease Dowdle and compelled Younger to beat them. Younger could not, but it surely wasn’t all his fault.
The No. 1 decide within the 2023 NFL draft spent many of the day on the run because the Saints have been in a position to get strain up the center, disrupting the timing of a number of go performs.
Panthers coach Dave Canales has related issues this week dealing with the Falcons, who are available in tied for fifth within the league with 29 sacks, together with seven final week. Rookies Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. have helped enhance the go rush.
“On the finish of the day, they acquired some gifted guys, and so they acquired some younger pace on the sides,” Canales mentioned.
Communicate for your self
Linebacker Nic Scourton mentioned on Sunday the Panthers might have taken the Saints calmly. The rookie’s feedback did not sit too properly with Canales, who mentioned he’d choose these feedback keep in-house.
Canales added that the Panthers appeared sharp in follow Wednesday.
“It is a studying alternative to say, OK, for our guys, communicate in your personal efficiency,” Canales mentioned. “If you wish to make a normal remark about, hey, after we lose, we’re upset, we’re disillusioned. However the particular a part of it that we will do a greater job of simply retaining these issues inside us and the stuff that we speak about.”
Stopping Bijan
The Panthers protection shut out the Falcons the primary time round. Carolina cornerback Mike Jackson is aware of duplicating that effort on Atlanta’s residence subject will take one other stellar efficiency.
Robinson had 13 carries for 72 yards and 6 catches for 39 yards however was held out of the tip zone. Robinson’s No. 7 jersey would be the focus for the protection.
“We simply performed good clear protection, we acquired a few turnovers,” Jackson mentioned. “I really feel like we simply sort of disrupted their timing. We’ve got to comprise No. 7. All of it begins with No. 7.”
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AP Sports activities Author Steve Reed contributed to this report.
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