The Carolina Panthers have won four of their last five contests against the Atlanta Falcons—and they'll need to extend that success on Sunday afternoon to avoid an 0-2 start to the season. While they managed to make the playoffs last year after losing their first two games, that's not a hole you want to have to dig out of again.
And to get there, the Panthers have to win a few key matchups here in Week 2.
Here are four we will be watching closely on Sunday . . .
Panthers QB Bryce Young vs. Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich
Last week, Young's big matchup was with himself—and it was a test he passed with flying colors while putting in the best opener of his NFL career. He threw for 361 yards, his second-highest mark as a pro, and scored four total touchdowns in Carolina’s 59-37 loss to the Chicago Bears.
Now,
Young has to prove he can do it two weeks in a row, and he'll face a stiffer challenge than he did against the Bears’ zone-heavy defense.
Ulbrich guided the Falcons to the second-best defensive EPA in the NFL in Week 1, containing future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers to just 5.5 yards per attempt. Atlanta’s defensive play-caller excels at picking the best spots to send a blitz, a dynamic which has given Young trouble in the past.
Panthers WR Jalen Coker vs. Falcons CB Avieon Terrell
Nobody on the Panthers is hotter than Coker, who's totaled 272 yards and three touchdowns over his last two games.
He does his best work in the slot, where he'll line up across from the Falcons' top draft pick this year, former Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell. While Coker will have a significant size advantage, Terrell has sharp ball skills and is tenacious for his frame—like in the mold of an elevated Captain Munnerlynn.
Panthers LB Devin Lloyd vs. Falcons RB Bijan Robinson
On the other side of the ball, the Panthers have to stop the Falcons’ one-man show that stars Bijan Robinson, Bijan Robinson and more Bijan Robinson. Last week in Pittsburgh, he racked up 173 yards from scrimmage and had the biggest share of a Week 1 offense since Eric Dickerson 40 years ago.
Slowing down Robinson always takes more than just one guy, but the most important piece of that puzzle is the middle linebacker and defensive centerpiece in Lloyd.
Panthers CB Mike Jackson vs. Falcons WR Drake London
Jackson may often find himself lining up across from Atlanta's No. 1 wide receiver in London. Between their matchups in Atlanta from the past two seasons, London totaled 17 catches for 306 yards and two touchdowns.
The Panthers will have to cover him far better than they have been inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Key matchups for Panthers vs. Falcons in Week 2
