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Struggling Panthers brace for Falcons

Nov 11, 2007 - 11:52 AM Atlanta (2-6) at Carolina (4-4) Sunday 1:00 pm EST

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- The Carolina Panthers are trying to avoid going where the Atlanta Falcons have been for most of the season.

Looking to bounce back from a two-game losing streak, the Panthers host the Falcons in an NFC South matchup Sunday.

Injuries and a punchless offense have contributed to the mini-skid for Carolina, which has been forced to start David Carr and 43-year-old Vinny Testaverde in the last two games.

Not surprisingly, the Panthers have generated just one touchdown each in the back-to-back defeats and face the unwelcome possibility of starting undrafted rookie Matt Moore against the Falcons.

Carr suffered a concussion in last weekend's 20-7 loss at Tennessee and Testaverde has been hobbled by an Achilles tendon injury. Wide receiver Steve Smith has managed just five catches for 33 yards in the last two games.

The situation is so dire at quarterback Carolina signed free agent Drew Olson to its practice squad Tuesday. Olson never has appeared in an NFL game.

Oddly enough, Carolina is winless in three home games and had won its first four road contests before stumbling against the Titans.

With the unstable situation at quarterback, the Panthers likely will put renewed emphasis on their running game, which has struggled the entire season.

DeShaun Foster rumbled for 122 yards - his only 100-yard game this season - and a touchdown in a 27-20 victory at Atlanta on September 23. He also went over 100 yards in a 10-3 win at Atlanta on December 24, 2006.

The Falcons snapped a three-game losing streak with a 20-16 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

Warrick Dunn provided a boost to Atlanta's stagnant offense, rushing for 100 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries. It was his first 100-yard game and also the first time he surpassed 62 yards this season.

In the 2006 season opener, Dunn rushed for 132 yards in a 20-6 win over Carolina but he was held to 29 yards in the rematch three months later.

Quarterback Joey Harrington had a pedestrian effort against the 49ers, completing 14-of-25 passes for 138 yards and an interception.

Atlanta's defense came up with a huge goal-line stand, with safety Lawyer Milloy stuffing running back Michael Robinson on 3rd-and-goal at the 1-yard line midway through the fourth quarter and the Falcons nursing a 17-13 lead.