FLOWERY BRANCH – Here’s what Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota had to say about the Panthers, his team’s opponent at 1 p.m. Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium:

On their defense: “Well, first and foremost they get after it. They’ve actually scored a bunch of points as a defense. They’ve created a bunch of turnovers and have gotten a lot of three-and-outs.”

On Panthers DT Derrick Brown: “Physical. He’s got gifts, especially for a guy at his size. What he’s capable of doing is controlling the line of scrimmage. Our guys up front, it’s definitely going to be something that they have to be ready for.”

On Panthers LB Shaq Thompson: “He’s the leader of that defense, he has been for a long time now. Shaq and I go back a long time, we played against each other in college, so looking forward to it again. I think he’s a great player. He has been a great player in this league.”

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The Bow Tie Chronicles

Atlanta Falcons 2022 schedule

Sept. 11: Saints 27, Falcons 26

Sept. 18: Rams 31, Falcons 27

Sept. 25 Falcons 27, Seahawks 23

Oct. 2 Falcons 23, Browns 20

Oct. 9 Buccaneers 21, Falcons 15

Oct. 16 Falcons 28, 49ers 14

Oct. 23 Bengals 35, Falcons 17

Oct. 30 vs. Carolina, 1 p.m.

Nov. 6 vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 1 p.m.

Nov. 10 at Carolina, 8:15 p.m.

Nov. 20 vs. Chicago, 1 p.m.

Nov. 27 at Washington, 1 p.m.

Dec. 4 vs. Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.

BYE WEEK

Dec. 18 at New Orleans, TBD

Dec. 24 at Baltimore, 1 p.m.

Jan. 1 vs. Arizona, 1 p.m.

Jan. 8 vs. Tampa Bay, TBD