It’s hard to call this week a ‘must-win’ for a pair of NFC South foes, but the clock is ticking for the reeling Atlanta Falcons and visiting Carolina Panthers, who meet Sunday afternoon.

The matchup to watch is the Falcons' run defense against Carolina's two-headed monster - Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard. The pair leads a Carolina ground assault that is averaging 133.1 yards per game. The pair rushed for 103 yards in the Week 3 thumping, but Dowdle's usage and effectiveness is far greater than it was earlier this season.

The Carolina Panthers were 5-4 entering a contest Sunday with the 1-8 New Orleans Saints. The Atlanta Falcons, another once playoff hopeful, had already lost, a

Bryce Young is returning to the place that gave Carolina Panthers fans a reason to dream ahead of the 2025 season.

The Atlanta Falcons listed 16 players, including wide receiver Drake London (illness), on their first injury report of Week 11. London was one of 11 players to sit out at Wednesday's practice. The fourth-year wideout has been red hot as of late, recording 422 receiving yards and five touchdowns over his last four games.

The Atlanta Falcons' four-game losing streak is taking a toll on quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who appeared to be despondent following Sunday's 31-25 overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Berlin.