This article is part of our NFL Observations series.
I had the Panthers minus 2.5, and though they were driving down eight at the end of the game, it never should have been that close. The 1-6 Falcons unbelievably settled for a FG on 4th-and-1 from inside the five on the opening drive and kicked another field goal on 4th-and-4 from the 12 in the third quarter. The Panthers made fewer unforced errors, but calling for a fair catch on the four-yard line has to be an all-time record.
- Matt Ryan's first two plays from scrimmage were completions to Julio Jones totaling 51 yards. It's amazing he didn't throw a TD pass (though he ran one in) or make it to 300 yards.
- Jones himself (10-7-137-0) had a solid day, but couldn't get into the end zone despite at least three targets there. Calvin Ridley hurt his ankle and didn't return to the game.
- Brian Hill (11-55-0, 3-2-9) was more effective than Todd Gurley (18-46-1, no targets), but Gurley scored the TD (on purpose) and continues to see a heavy workload on the ground. Gurley is second in the league (Derrick Henry) in rush attempts (though he's played an extra game and hasn't had his bye) and first with eight rushing TDs.
- Teddy Bridgewater left the game briefly after taking a late hit. He faced a fair amount of pressure, and while he usually makes good decisions, he doesn't have the athleticism to do damage when he escapes. And often he couldn't escape.
- Mike Davis (13-66-0, 2-1-11) had a modest game, but passed the eye test. He has great vision, always finds the open space and fights for extra yards. When Christian McCaffrey comes back, I'd expect a Latavius Murray/Alvin Kamara-type split. I thought Davis did fumble on the catch that was overturned and called incomplete, though -- this "football move" nonsense is vague and stupid.
- Curtis Samuel (3-23-1, 5-4-31-1) was the only productive Panthers player, and it was on low volume. Robby Anderson (8-5-48) and DJ Moore (6-2-55) didn't get going as the Falcons had the ball most of the game, and the Panthers neither ran many plays nor had much time to throw.
