The Atlanta Falcons are up against it going into Week 2. A loss at home against the Carolina Panthers would put them in an 0-2 hole, which is usually where realistic hopes of making the NFL playoffs go to die.
To pull off a much-needed win, they're going to have to win some key individual matchups. Here are a few to watch.
RB Bijan Robinson vs. LB Devin Lloyd
The Falcons need their offense to be less one-dimensional than it was last week. That said, running back Bijan Robinson is still going to be their go-to guy, as he should be. Robinson racked up 173 yards from scrimmage against a Pittsburgh defense that ranked first in EPA in Week 1. Stopping Robinson requires a total team effort, so the entire new-look Carolina front-seven will be tasked with slowing him down - especially their new Pro
Bowl inside linebacker Devin Lloyd, who's wearing the green dot for the Panthers.
K Nick Folk vs. himself
Sometimes your greatest opponent is yourself, and that was the case last week for Nick Folk. The veteran NFL kicker was supposed to stabilize Atlanta's long-dysfunctional field goal game. Instead, Folk missed twice, once from 54 yards and again from 45. Connecting on those two attempts would have made it a one-point game against the Steelers, changing the complexion of the matchup entirely. Pittsburgh isn't the easiest place to kick, but the conditions weren't bad and the Falcons can't afford for Folk to miss any more makeable attempts.
S Xavier Watts vs. TE Darren Waller
With the exception of A.J. Terrell, Atlanta's secondary was real sharp in Week 1 - and they'll need more of the same this week. Second-year stud safety Xavier Watts will often cover Carolina's tight ends, who saw six targets last week. Technically Darren Waller only saw two, but he had a touchdown catch negated by a weak penalty. Waller is their best pass-catching threat at this position and Watts has to be on his A-game against the much larger Waller.
LB Kendal Daniels vs. RB Chuba Hubbard
Elsewhere on the back end, rookie linebacker Kendal Daniels will have to help stop the Panthers' run game, which was re-invigorated last week by Chuba Hubbard, who averaged just under five yards per carry and scored a touchdown against the Bears. Making Hubbard less efficient and keeping him out of the end zone will be critical for the Falcons. Daniels was added to Thursday's injury report with an Achilles injury, so hopefully he is up to the challenge of slowing down Hubbard.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons vs. Panthers: 4 key matchups to watch in Week 2
