Falcons vs. Panthers: Sean Weatherspoon says defense must 'bounce back'

The Atlanta Falcons' defense was embarrassed by the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, giving up 475 yards in a 30-20 loss. Cam Newton was dominant on the air and the ground, combining for 403 total yards and three scores.

The loss was humbling to the Falcons' defenders, and linebacker Sean Weatherspoon knows the team must play better going forward (via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution):

"There are a lot of men in this locker room. He didn't have to say anything to get the guys going. We know how to win. We know how to play ball. Ultimately, when it comes do it, we have to bounce back."

Weatherspoon himself finished with seven tackles on the game, but only two of those were of the solo variety. The linebacker mentioned that lack of execution and poor tackling helped lead to the Falcons' demise:

"They just made more plays that us. We didn't make enough plays. We have to execute better. It was more about us not tackling and making plays."

If the Atlanta defense repeats this performance next weekend, the Falcons will be in big trouble. The high-powered New York Giants will be coming to the Georgia Dome, and lack of defensive execution could lead to a big number on the scoreboard. That's what happened to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, as they gave up 52 to the Giants in an ugly 52-27 loss.