2. Devonta Freeman
Devonta Freeman, who suffered an ankle injury that forced him out of the contest against the New Orleans Saints last weekend in the 10th week of the regular season schedule, is due for a breakout and bounce-back performance for Atlanta to lead its running attack.
Before he left the Week 10 game against the Saints on the road, Freeman tallied 38 yards rushing on 10 carries while also hauling in 10 yards receiving on three catches. Brian Hill ended up coming into the game in relief for Freeman and ended up leading the team with 61 yards rushing on the ground with 20 carries, also adding 10 yards receiving in the passing attack.
If Freeman is able to get back to the field and is healthy enough to return to the starting lineup for the Falcons this weekend against another divisional opponent in the Panthers, he will need to have a solid game in helping counter what Carolina is able to do in its running game on the other side of the field.
The Panthers have one of the more potent running attacks in all of the NFL, which allows them the ability to break out at any point in the game and put up points quickly on the scoreboard against oppositions.
If that is indeed the case, the Falcons will have to display an equally potent running attack to counter what they are able to do within the passing game and try and match what the Panthers are doing on the other side of the ball.
Freeman has shown the ability to step up and lead the way for Atlanta so far this season, and if he is healthy enough to go on Sunday afternoon against Carolina, look for the running back to try and put together a dominant performance on the ground for the Falcons.