CHARLOTTE — The Panthers (5-5) are diving right back into the division, with a matchup against the Atlanta Falcons (3-6) in Week 11. The two teams faced each other back in Week 3, a 30-0 Panthers' victory that gave the club an early NFC South win.

The Panthers are 24-37 all-time against the Falcons. Carolina is 15-16 at home and 9-22 on the road. Carolina is 1-4 in overtime against Atlanta.

Both teams are coming off losses; the Panthers suffered a 17-7 defeat to the Saints, and the Falcons a 31-25 overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts. The latter game was an international game in Berlin, Germany, but the Falcons will not have a bye week following the game.

Since it has been eight weeks since these two teams faced off, get to know the updated Atlanta Falcons.

The Penix and London connection

Quarterback Michael Penix and receiver Drake London have established a connection that can define an era for a team. Since Michael Penix Jr.'s first career start in Week 16, 2024, they have the second-most yards for a QB-WR duo, who have connected for 1,034 yards (behind Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba).

After a dynamic three-touchdown day against the Patriots last week, the two connected again for six receptions, 104 yards, and one touchdown against the Colts. It was the fourth game this season that London has posted 100-plus yards.

Against the Colts, Penix showed a tendency to hold on to the ball longer than normal. According to Next Gen Stats, he recorded an average time to throw of 3.36 seconds, his first career game recording an average time to throw over three full seconds.

He moved outside the pocket seven times and completed 3-of-6 passes for a career-high 63 yards (with a sack-fumble) on those plays.

The balanced running attack

There isn't much that can be said about Bijan Robinson that hasn't already been said. He's averaging 75.4 yards a game on the ground (679 yards on 135 carries), but he's also the Falcons' second-leading receiver, with 43 receptions for 467 yards and two touchdowns through the air.

While Robinson continues to be the Falcons' big-play back—he has 15 runs of 10-plus yards and has 567 of his yards after contact—Atlanta has balanced his attack with that of Tyler Allgeier.

The latter has six touchdowns, tied with London for most on the team, and all of Allgeier's have come on the ground. Against the Colts on Sunday, he scored twice, both from the 1-yard line, punching it in as a power back.

The pass rush is pass rushing

The Falcons invested heavily in young pass rushers this offseason. Now heading into the back half of the season, James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker are making more and more plays each week and establishing pressure from which the entire defense is benefiting.

During their game against the Colts, Pearce (who has 1.5 sacks this season) sacked Daniel Jones and forced a fumble. Walker (4.0 sacks) recovered the fumble.

In total, the Falcons' defense against the Colts had 16 pressures on 39 dropbacks, converting seven of those 16 pressures into sacks, their highest pressure-to-sack ratio this season. Nine different defenders recorded at least one pressure, including James Pearce Jr. with his season-high five pressures, and Kaden Elliss and Jalon Walker each with four.

As a pass-rush unit—led by Brandon Dorlus and Zach Harrison, each with 4.5 sacks—the Falcons have 29.0 sacks, which is fifth in the league.