The Panthers play the Falcons again this week, not long removed from a blowout 29-3 loss to Atlanta at Bank of America Stadium. Despite that dominant showing, this division rival has fallen dramatically short of expectations this season.

To learn more, we spoke with Matt Urben, managing editor of Falcons Wire.

Panthers Wire: The Falcons are 3-9 this season and just 1-5 at home. What’s going on that has them under-performing so much?

Falcons Wire: Atlanta has been disjointed all season, but the team’s biggest issue has been its inability to play a complete game. One week, it’s the
offense starting slow, while another week, it’s the defense getting
picked apart. If I had to point to one area that’s been the biggest
disappointment, though, I’d say it’s the offensive line. The Falcons
started the season with three new starters up front, two of them
rookies. Injuries to Chris Lindstrom, James Carpenter, Alex Mack and
Jamon Brown have hindered this group from building any real chemistry.
This has led to poor protection up front and a non-existent rushing
attack. The Falcons have won just 10-of-22 games at Mercedes-Benz
Stadium and have looked a step slow at home all year.

PW: Are we going to see tight end Austin Hooper back in the lineup this week? If so, how does he help Atlanta?

FW: The Falcons’ star tight end was back at practice on Wednesday and
Thursday. He should be back out there on Sunday after suffering an MCL
sprain a few weeks ago. Hooper became QB Matt Ryan’s second-favorite
weapon this season, and his absence was especially noticeable with
backups Jaeden Graham and Luke Stocker offering very little in the
receiving game. Hooper has been a consistent threat over the middle
and his consistency this season made Mohamed Sanu expendable. If he’s
back out there, the Falcons unquestionably have a better shot at
winning.

PW: Julio Jones hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 3. Are they not using him right or is there something else wrong?

FW: Julio Jones is one of the most dominant players ever between the 20s,
but this season especially, the team isn’t getting him the ball in the
red zone. It’s mostly due to a lack of protection causing Ryan to
throw the ball before the play has developed. Some of that is on
Falcons OC Dirk Koetter. who has made fans think of the glory days
when Steve Sarkisian was calling the plays. You also can’t overlook
the presence of Austin Hooper and Calvin Ridley, each of whom have six
touchdowns this season. That’s not necessarily a bad thing for the
team going forward, however.

PW: Game prediction?

FW: I think we see the same inconsistent Atlanta team we’ve seen all
season at home. The Panthers, on the other hand, are coming off of a
coaching change, which tends to wake players up. Even with Julio and
Hooper back, something is just missing from the Falcons this year.
Carolina has been the better team in 2019, and I think they give
Atlanta its sixth loss this season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday:
Falcons 20, Panthers 24.

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