Having Bush and Marshall both play was a real plus. But beside being able to have another week of practice for us and this being a home game, IMO the biggest difference was of course the difference between the two teams we played. The Falcons went 13-3 and the Panthers limped to 2-14. Not only are the Falcons much better then the Panthers, the coaching changes or lack of is huge with this shorten preseason all the teams have to deal with. The Falcons have all the same coaches and the same offense and defense as last season. Their roster did not change much . The Panthers have a new Head Coach, a new OC and a new DC. In fact I think all the coaches are new. That means a all new offense and a all new defense. And their biggest roster change is a brand new "1st pick of the draft" Rookie QB. Nothing could be worse.
Well, the Falcons' 1st string outplayed ours. Our 1st string outplayed the Panthers' So far it's what you'd expect of a 7-9 team. The real test will be when we face other teams around our level.. like 8-8, or 9-7 teams. To improve, we have to be able to beat those teams. Bring 'em on. Lets find out!
The real difference was the performance of the OL...Sure, the Panthers are a team even our offensive performance from last week we might win, but the real difference between this week and last was the OL. Plain, pure, simple.
