CHARLOTTE — When the Panthers faced the Falcons in Week 3, the two teams were still figuring out who they are in 2025. Now, heading into Week 11, well, they may still be figuring it out, but both clubs have a much better idea of what they do well and how to capitalize on those areas.

"Got a really focused group, locked in. They certainly understand what an opportunity this is, right in front of us," said coach Dave Canales on Friday. "We talk about every game is a championship opportunity, and couldn't be more true playing against a divisional opponent, on the road, an opponent we're really familiar with, a team that's found some really good football, and a coach and a group that I really respect and I know the guys are excited for the challenge for this week."

Both teams are looking for a crucial division win as they barrel into the second half of the season, and the Panthers are hoping to show they can once again handle adversity after a humbling loss to the Saints in Week 10. From how each team handles those factors, to stopping the Drake London and Michael Penix connection, and Bryce Young hoping to push the ball downfield, here are five things to watch as the Panthers travel south to Atlanta this weekend.

How does Bryce Young bounce back?

The quarterback was noticeably frustrated following last Sunday's loss to the Saints. As the week has progressed, Young, Canales, and the offense have worked on not being too reactive, while still addressing issues that have plagued the offense in recent weeks. It's an attitude and approach that starts with Young. And for Canales, it's the example he wants to see his quarterback's mindset.

"Oh, just perfectly like he always does," Canales said Friday. "Got right back to work, attack the things that we can improve, and then attack the game plan and the plays that are coming in, how we're trying to deploy different things and the timing of shifts in motions, all those details that requires your full focus, and so, just returning to work with that same type of focus and mentality has been his approach and, was that this week as well."

When it comes to the logistical approach for the week, though, the Panthers have admittedly focused more on the vertical passing game.

"I think this is specifically talking to our pass game as a whole, and we're all part of that, from the coaching staff to the players, to the protection unit and all that," said Canales. "This is something that we're continuing to attack, that we're working through to try to make this part of our game come alive. We've had flashes of it, and we can see the flashes that our guys, our different players, bring, and we have to be consistent with it.

"It's our job as a coaching staff to make sure that we do the right things to put guys in position to be successful and not make it so easy for a defense to hone in on where (Tetairoa McMillan) is in formation and what is he running out of these. We have to protect the angles of the cut, and we have to move guys around and make sure that the other guys come alive. I'd love to see (Jalen Coker) and (Xavier Legette) come alive in their own ways in the tight end group, which I have a lot of respect for, as all these guys could be really useful.

"We just have to put it all together and find our rhythm."

Young has completed 35 percent of passes of 20-plus air yards, ranking 23rd in the NFL.

One of the best ways to keep the pass game open is for the run game to be clicking. That was not the case against New Orleans. The Falcons have the 29th-ranked run defense, allowing 146.4 yards per game on the ground.

Stopping the Drake London and Penix connection

Falcons' receiver Drake London has been on a heater of late, scoring four touchdowns in the last two games and putting up 222 yards on 15 catches during that period as well.

"I feel like they've been getting Drake London more involved," noted corner Jaycee Horn. "He done had some good games since they played us. I think Penix has been a little more comfortable, so it's just a new team (since Week 3).

According to Next Gen Stats, London has been targeted on 33.2 percent of his routes this season against zone coverage, the third-highest rate among wide receivers with at least 100 zone coverage routes run. Against zone, London has caught 44-of-62 targets for 557 yards (fifth-most among WRs) for three touchdowns.

The Panthers' defense has deployed zone coverage on a league-high 84.8 percent of dropbacks this season. In their previous matchup in Week 3, all of London's production came against zone coverage (five receptions for 55 yards) while he was not targeted once across his eight-man coverage routes.

Added Horn, "He's been making big-time plays in the red zone, attacking the ball."

London was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday, and was listed as questionable for Sunday's game.

Speaking of Horn, the Pro Bowl corner vowed after Sunday's game that he would be better after giving up two explosive touchdowns against the Saints. He's spent the week in practice amping up his intensity while, like Young and the offense, trying not to become too reactive.

"Staying the same, staying consistent," Horn said of his mindset. "I'm confident in the work I put in every week, and I've had a lot of success doing what I'm doing, so just keep doing it."

How do you slow down the Falcons' pass rush?

The Falcons' pass rush has come alive, with 15 different players registering at least 0.5 sacks this season. In the last two games alone, the group—which is Top 5 in the league with 29.0 sacks—has 13.0 sacks.

Rookies Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. have especially found a speed off the edge that has become lethal. Offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu knows this is a different defense than the Panthers faced in Week 3, and it starts with protecting the edge.

"Definitely got to consider a different team," said Ekwonu. "We played them early, but you know, this late in the season, they've figured some stuff out, and you know, definitely they're explosive up front.

"(Walker and Pearce), I mean, they've definitely grown. Obviously, I'm not going to give up too much of what I'm seeing on tape, but the stats speak for themselves; they've definitely grown into their role. They've definitely come into their own, they've definitely been on a good tear."

The Falcons won't have veteran edge rusher Leonard Floyd. He was ruled out for Sunday's game with a hamstring.

Dueling run games

The Panthers are hoping to get their run game back on track this week, as mentioned above. The Falcons are also hoping their run game can deliver a win during what has become a four-game losing streak thus far.

Bijan Robinson is 10th in the league with 679 rushing yards and is second on the Falcons with 467 receiving yards. Tyler Allgeier adds the tough yards, having 270 on the ground with six touchdowns.

"Obviously, Tyler gets downhill quick," said defensive tackle Derrick Brown this week. "Bijan is the speed guy. He also gets downhill quick. So, I mean, they have two dynamic backs. So, I mean, being able to interchange those guys going throughout the game. I mean, we've got a tough challenge ahead, especially playing the run this week."

According to Next Gen Stats, the Falcons' offense has run outside the tackles on 74.5 percent of their designed runs this season, the highest rate in the NFL by a wide margin (12.6 percentage points).

Robinson has the highest (77.8 percent) outside run rate among rushers with at least 50 total carries, while Allgeier has the second-highest (73.0 percent) mark. Production has differed between the two running backs, as Robinson has averaged 5.3 yards per carry on outside rushes while Allgeier has produced just 3.7 yards per carry.

The Panthers' defense will see a new lineup this week to stop the two backs. Trevin Wallace is out with a shoulder injury so that Claudin Cherelus will get the start.

"(Claud) did an excellent job," Canales said of the linebacker this week. "It's great to have Claud around here for a while now, in scheme and to understand what we're requiring of the inside linebackers to play, and really love the way he finished last game, and then he had a great week just playing physical and being in tune with the calls and the different situations."

Canales said they will wait to reveal who will wear the green dot on Sunday.

Which team handles the mental weight of this week better?

These are two teams coming off emotional weeks. The Panthers had a rollercoaster ride, following an emotional walk-off win against the Packers, only to drop a disappointing home divisional game to the Saints. The Falcons went to overtime with the red-hot Colts, only to lose in overtime. Furthermore, it was an International game in Berlin, Germany, and they did not have a bye week after making the international trip.

One of the big-picture questions now becomes, which teams handle the mental weight of a tough week better?

For the Panthers' part, Canales was pleased with how the team responded this week.

"It was an excellent response," said Canales on Wednesday. "Really, all day in the building, there's a sense of focus and this appreciation that we have to approach every single game the same way.

"This is a championship opportunity. It's not a lie, it's not selling something; it's true. All these games, especially when you play your division opponents, these are important opportunities for us as we continue to set up our season going into it. You hate to look back and say, 'Wow, we missed an opportunity because we didn't play our best,' and it always comes down to the same things.

"It's about mental execution, it's about making our blocks, making our tackles, having great technique, and doing the right thing, play in and play out. It's going to always come back to that, and the group certainly understands that we have a process that we believe in, and the goal is to get back on that."