Atlanta Falcons: Top 5 Rivalries Entering 2015

There is a quantum leap between 2 and 3 in the Atlanta Falcons’ hierarchy of rivals.  The Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers cannot stand one another.  Since coming to the NFL as an expansion team in 1995, Carolina views the Falcons as their arch rival.  And we’ll take it because the Panthers are usually a very tough team to beat.

It does not matter how good or bad either team is in a season, this biennial rivalry almost always ends in a split with the home team usually coming out on top.  Carolina’s front four and sometimes its front seven wreaks havoc in the Atlanta backfield, eliminating the run and putting our quarterback on his back a ton.  Conversely Atlanta can usually take advantage of the Panthers’ lackluster secondary and can move the ball through the air.

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On the other side of the ball, Atlanta hasn’t done a great job of slowing down the Panthers’ strong running game but can make plays on errant passes through the air.  Regardless of what either team’s record is at the time of one of their meetings, both the Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers are usually evenly matched.

Though they are two of the best at what they do, I can’t say that I ever cheer for Cam Newton or Luke Kuechly.  I’m sure Carolinians don’t very much care for Roddy White or Matt Ryan either.  But hey, I’m glad to have a rivalry with a team that has been this passionate for the last 20 years.  Here’s to many great games between the Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers.

Next: The Best Rivalry in the NFC South