Fansided

5 most interesting NFL matchups to watch Week 5

By Rucker Haringey

ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 27: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Bills Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Orchard Park, New York. Bills beat the Rams 35 to 32. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 27: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Bills Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Orchard Park, New York. Bills beat the Rams 35 to 32. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /
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Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 27: Matt Ryan #2 reacts with Todd Gurley II #21 of the Atlanta Falcons after Gurley’s touchdown during the second half of an NFL game against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

4. Carolina’s inexperienced defense against Atlanta’s veteran attack

Matt Rhule has quietly fashioned the Panthers into an intriguing team this season. No one expected them to be 2-2. A Week 5 win over the Falcons could catapult Carolina into a legitimate discussion about a potential playoff berth.

If the Panthers are going to make that happen, their young defense will need to play its best game of the season. There’s talent on that side of the ball with guys like Brian Burns and Jeremy Chinn. The problem is that the Carolina defense is one of the youngest units in league history.

The Falcons offense has a lot of high-end talent as well. Unlike the Panthers’ defense, Atlanta’s attack is well stocked with veterans. Matt Ryan isn’t the most exciting quarterback in the league, but he’s devastatingly efficient. He might torture the Carolina secondary by throwing the ball down the field to Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley this weekend.

The upside for the Panthers’ defense is that they don’t need to be great to keep their team in the game. This matchup has shootout written all over it. If Carolina’s defense can force a key turnover or two it might be enough to swing the game in their favor. The Falcons should be strong favorites, but the Panthers are surprisingly frisky.

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