Black and Blue Review- There were more than a handful of cars on I-85 South Sunday morning that clearly contained Panthers’ fans.
- Received word while walking into the Georgia Dome that RB DeAngelo Williams wouldn’t play, even though he was listed as probable. Not a huge surprise considering how leery the Panthers have been about his hand. Plus, even though fans were worried, Williams wasn’t going to take many carries away from Jonathan Stewart.
- LB A.J. Klein was also inactive while DE Frank Alexander was up for the first time this year. Full inactive list here.
- As expected RB Steven Jackson was inactive and WR Julio Jones was active. Former Panthers safety Charles Godfrey, who played a few special teams snaps in Wee 11 for Atlanta, did not get a jersey this time. Falcons inactives.
- Usually, when QB Cam Newton comes out to warm up in the pre, pregame, he spends a few minutes by himself. But this time he was greeted almost immediately by Falcons QB Matt Ryan. The two chatted for about 30 seconds before going their separate ways.
- Oh.
- A couple former Panthers talked for a while in the press box: Carolina sideline reporter Jordan Gross and Seattle scout Dan Morgan.
- Falcons K Matt Bryant finished his pre, pregame routine by making a 60-yard field goal. K Graham Gano nailed a 55-yarder but missed one from 58 yards.
- For pregame warmups, Newton sprinted out from the tunnel as he typically does, with arms stretched out wide. Last week he playfully clipped and wrapped around head coach Ron Rivera and receivers coach Ricky Proehl. This week it was receivers Philly Brown and Brenton Bersin.
- Panthers called tails on opening coin toss. It was tails. Carolina elected to receive, hoping to put down a solid, sustained drive immediately.
Observations: Panthers at Falcons, Pregame
