The most underappreciated rivalry in each NFL division
By John Buhler
NFC South: Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers
The Atlanta Falcons already have an arch rival in the New Orleans Saints, but they have another great rivalry in the NFC with the Carolina Panthers. Atlanta and Charlotte are only a few hours away from each other on I-85. Due to nearness and the Panthers being an expansion-era team coming into the league in 1995, they have developed quite the rivalry with the Falcons.
They have faced each other 50 times, with the Falcons holding a sizable 32-18 lead in the all-time series. Atlanta has won the five most recent meetings, but Carolina has been more than a thorn in the Falcons’ side for the better part of 30 years. Since 1995, both franchises have represented the NFC in the Super Bowl twice. However, they have come up empty-handed on all four occasions.
Despite being tied for the same number of division championships at six apiece, Carolina became not only the first NFC South team to repeat as division champions in 2014, but were the first to three-peat in 2015. Carolina made it to Super Bowl 50 that season, thanks to an MVP season out of Atlanta native quarterback Cam Newton.
This rivalry has been defined for the last decade by the quarterbacks in place: Newton formerly for the Panthers and Matt Ryan with the Falcons. With the Panthers moving on from Newton this offseason, it’ll be interesting to see what Carolina becomes in the coming years. They have Teddy Bridgewater under center now, but maybe they draft another blue-chipper like Newton in 2021?