NFL Week 4 Picks – Panthers vs Falcons Division Rivalry

The Atlanta Falcons will look to show once again they are the real deal when they host their NFC South rivals, the Carolina Panthers, this Sunday at 1 PM ET at the Georgia Dome.

Between the great start of Matt Ryan (owns the best passer rating in the NFL) and the Falcons aggressive defense, Atlanta is one of the three teams still undefeated in the league. “When Matt is playing with confidence, I think it permeates around the locker room,” coach Mike Smith said. “We’ve got a lot of guys playing with confidence right now”.

Ryan has matured into a great passer, and the team has given him the confident to pull the strings.

“The confidence level across the board is probably higher than it’s been,” Ryan said. “That’s not to say we haven’t been confident in the past. We’ve had some good football teams in the past”.

On the other side, Carolina needs to worry about moving the ball properly as their quarterback Cam Newton had a horrible game against the NY Giant last Thursday.

“I have not hired a sports psychologist,” Newton said. “I have no idea where that came from. I have a strong support system in my teammates, coaches and family. My focus is on improving this week and getting ready to play Atlanta”.

The Panthers understand they haven’t beat Atlanta since 2009, and if they want to think big, it’s time to do it again.

“It is a divisional game, but the truth is your biggest game is the one you are about to play,” Panthers Coach Rivera said. “(But) I guess as far as the record goes and being in our division, yes it means a lot, it is a big game”.