This week, when the Atlanta Falcons go on the road to face the undefeated Carolina Panthers, there will be a lot of talk about the Panthers run at perfection, and Cam Newton’s MVP status, etc. There is one matchup that will bear watching for a long time within this division: Julio Jones vs. Josh Norman. These two are two of the best at their respective positions, and a lot of sports analysts will make comparisons to boxing or come up with other sports analogies to talk about how big this matchup is. When I was coming up with an idea to feature this matchup, I tried to go outside the box. That’s when I remembered this interview with Josh Norman, and it reminded me of another interview with a noteworthy set of rivals: The Joker vs Batman. How can I relate a pair of football players to a comic book hero and villain? Glad you asked.

1. Julio Jones and Josh Norman have been going at it for a while – This is the 4^th year that they’ve been in the league together (Granted, Jones missed both matchups in 2013), but in the games they’ve come together, their teams are currently 2-2: opposite, but even, like the Joker and Batman, as the Panthers have been a run first, defensive team, while the Falcons like to win shootouts.
2. The personalities match – Josh Norman, outspoken, big personality, will fight with just about anyone, including his own quarterback, Cam Newton. Julio Jones – soft spoken, uses his physical might as well as his mind to outwit and outmaneuver his opposition, and can always be relied upon by Matt Ryan and his teammates to make a play when needed. Norman has gotten the better of Jones is each of their previous matchups, holding him to a combined 10 catches for 117 yards. Thankfully, Jones doesn’t use a ridiculous voice whenever he talks on the field, no one wants to hear that.
3. That interview – Seriously, go back and look at those clips, when Norman says “Julio completes me” it’s eerily similar to the way the Joker says Batman completes him, as well as the smile Norman gives, reminded me of the Joker immediately.

This round of the matchup, I’m taking the Joker though, as Batman will be fine, but the team around him will have problems going against the Joker’s men. Batman should get about 7 receptions for 98 yards, but no touchdowns, and the Joker gets away 13-0 on the season. Do you agree with my comparison? Have another one? Leave your thoughts in the comments!