FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- It's been seven weeks since the Falcons traveled to Carolina to face the Panthers.
That's an eternity in the NFL.
The Falcons know this and aren't spending too much time dwelling on the mental mistakes that ruined a chance at victory the first time they met their division rivals. That's not to say they don't take pride in how they've improved.
"We've come a long way and we get better each week," starting center Todd McClure said. "We're definitely a better team and we've learned a lot. Matt (Ryan) has come a long way, learned this offense more, and I think we're a better team."
Ryan threw a then season-high 41 passes against the Panthers as the run game sputtered in a 24-9 loss. Receivers dropped six passes in the game as the Birds kept it close, but couldn't take a lead with field goals.
The Falcons have won four of the six games they've played since that meeting. The Panthers (8-2) haven't lost a game in more than a month.
"At this point in the season teams have found themselves a little bit," Ryan said. "They certainly have done that with an 8-2 record. They're playing great defense and their offense is doing a better job as well.
"I think everybody's fired up about this week and that's been the focus."
As it goes in division play, Sunday's game will be played in the Falcons' nest.
"The outcome wasn't the way we wanted it last time," safety Lawyer Milloy said when asked about the Panthers 294 passing yards from the previous meeting. "Their whole team played very well in their stadium. Before that game we did very well playing in their stadium. We would like to return the favor. They're one of the hottest teams in the NFL right now. We have to accept the challenge and just get ready for a complete game."
The Falcons (6-4) are taking the same caution when weighing the importance of Sunday's game in the playoff race.
"A lot of people didn't expect us to even have a chance up until this point," Milloy said. "I think, because of our loss last week, and because we only have one win in our tight division going toward the end of the season every game starts to have more and more importance. If we want to stay in the hunt and give ourselves a chance this is a very important game because it's the next game."
BALANCED ATTACK: Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme threw touchdown passes of 56 and 36 yards in the Week 4 matchup with the Falcons. Two weeks ago in Oakland he threw for 72 yards and tossed four interceptions.
Last week Carolina had two running backs rush for more than 120 yards.
The face of the Panthers' offense seems to be in a continuous state of flux.
"They're playing very well," Head Coach Mike Smith said. "They have an 8-2 record and are running the ball efficiently on offense. Their quarterback is managing their offense and they have two good receivers... On the other side of the ball they are very physical. I believe six of their starters are former first-round draft picks and they're No. 3 in the league on defense."
Smith said problems from Week 4 last week's loss are correctable. His team echoed the sentiments Wednesday, especially when it came to the Panthers' passing attack.
"They got those plays because of what we did defensively, mental mistakes," cornerback Chris Houston said. "If we correct that then they don't have those plays."
INJURY REPORT: Smith did not reveal many details from the team's injury report, but said wide receiver Laurent Robinson (hamstring) will not play Sunday and that defensive tackle Grady Jackson "had his knee drained" on Tuesday.
Neither player practiced Wednesday afternoon.
For more injury news on the Falcons and Panthers, visit the Saint Joseph's Injury Report.
FANTASTIC FINNERAN: Nine-year veteran Brian Finneran missed the better part of two off-seasons recovering from knee surgeries. That kind of rehab leaves some things in doubt.
But, 10 games into 2008, Finneran is showing he remains the clutch wide receiver that's made him a favorite target of every quarterback he's worked with. Just last week against the Broncos Finneran recorded four catches.
All of them came on third down and went for key first downs.
"It's been nice to be out there," Finneran said Wednesday. "Last week I had some big third-down catches. As a receiver you have to have a nice report with your quarterback. I've tried to do that with everybody that's come through here, regardless of who it is."
"Finn stepped up big on a number of third-down situations," added Ryan. "We're going to need some more of that from Finn down the stretch run. He's going to step up and be the player he's been for a number of years."
A wide receiver has caught at least one touchdown in every Falcons victory this season.
FINNERAN FUNDRAISER: Finneran will attend a fundraiser on Dec. 8 at McKendrick’s Steak House benefiting Breast Friends. The black-tie event starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $250 per person.
In the past six years more than $500,000 has been raised for Breast Friends, an Atlanta-based breast cancer support network that provides individual emotional support, practical assistance, and information and resources for breast cancer patients, their families and friends.
Click here for ticket information.
FOOTBOWL RECAP: The Falcons helped raise more than $40,000 for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at the Celebrity FootBowl Tournament last week. Click here to take a look at video from the event. The bowling tournament has become a favorite amongst players, who take the chance to get to know one another's competitive tendencies and mingle with members of the community.
FOOD DRIVE RECAP: In other community news, the 2008 FalCan Food Drive is out-pacing last season's success. More than 3,700 pounds of food was collected at Georgia Dome gates prior to last week's game against the Broncos. That was supplemented by more than $3,100 in monetary donations. A kickoff event last week at Perimeter Mall resulted in the collection of close to 1,000 pounds of food.
Fans can continue to help with the food drive through Nov. 21 by bringing their canned food donations to Flagstar Bank locations through Nov. 21.
MORE ON THE FALCONS-PANTHERS GAME:
- NOTEBOOK: Improved teams to meet Sunday at Georgia Dome
- PREVIEW PACK: Stats and more in the weekly Preview Pack
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Mughelli | Ryan | Houston | Milloy | Finneran
- J. MIKE'S MISSIVES: Finneran Fantastic on Third Down | Regrouping with the Run Game | Birdseed
- INJURY REPORT: Injury news and more from Saint Joseph's Hospital
- FOE AUDIO: Head Coach John Fox | Julius Peppers
- RELEASE: Falcons waive Miller, promote Weems from practice squad
- FAN Q&A: Domonique Foxworth takes your questions
- COMMUNITY: Falcons announce Community Quarterback winners
