While their quarterback situation is as sad as it gets in the NFC, the Atlanta Falcons do have one perverse advantage at the position—in that it’s hard to prepare to face an opponent when you don't know who's going to be starting.
That was challenge for the Carolina Panthers' staff this week, who had to prepare for the possibility of facing either Cooper Rush, Tua Tagovailoa, Michael Penix Jr. or even undrafted rookie Jack Strand.
Now, as announced on Friday, we know that it’ll be Rush making his second straight start for Atlanta. His first, against Pittsburgh, wasn’t exactly great—as he completed 12 of his 22 passes for 143 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.
But regardless of this week’s opposition under center, the x-factor is concrete—as
the Panthers have to do a far better job of rushing the passer than they did last week against the Chicago Bears.
This was supposed to be a big area of improvement for Carolina's defense this year, having splurged to sign edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and inside linebacker Devin Lloyd—who are both great pass rushers at their respective positions. However, in Week 1, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams ran circles around the Panthers—taking just two sacks and three quarterback hits while racking up 65 yards and two touchdowns as a scrambler.
The good news is that Rush isn’t nearly as mobile as Williams. But getting pressure on him will still be critical for defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero's group, which has finished near the bottom of the NFL in sacks three years in a row.
Phillips did his part last week—getting at one of the two sacks in his team debut, with 2025 third-round pick Princely Umanmielen collecting the other. The rest of the Panthers' pass rushers have to show up as well, though—including Trevis Gipson and, perhaps, a healthier Pat Jones II.
Pressuring Rush in the pocket may be all the Panthers need to pull off a win. Rush was totally unable to avoid rushers or produce positive results outside of structure last week against Pittsburgh, and that could be a major factor in Atlanta this Sunday.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers Week 2 X-factor: Bring the pass rush to life vs. Falcons
