DEFENSE
Linebacker Foye Oluokun had another big game. He’d combine with Isaiah Oliver on sack before coming up with big fourth-down stop in the second quarter. Later, he combined with DT Grady Jarrett for another big tackle for a loss on a Panthers’ fourth-down attempt.
Oluokun looks to be on his way to a Pro Bowl with this kind of game-changing performance week after week. The Panthers struggled to stop the blitz with LB Deion Jones and SS Keanu Neal, and the Falcons defensive play-calling seemed to adjust nicely in the second half.
The Falcons were aggressive, and stayed aggressive, which may have been the biggest difference. The secondary struggled but Atlanta’s front-seven continues to play better each week.
Thursday’s game would come down to a final drive by Carolina, trailing by eight with three minutes and 95 yards to go. It was undoubtedly scary for Falcons fans, but the team answered with a big interception by CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson to close out the game.
Overall, it was an excellent performance from Raheem Morris’ defense and a drastic improvement from the team’s Week 5 loss to the Panthers under Dan Quinn.