Yesterday afternoon the Carolina Panthers tried to keep their undefeated season hopes alive. But, just like every other team the Panthers faced the Falcons were trying to give the Panthers their first loss of the season. The Falcons also snapped the Panthers 18 game win streak going back to last season. Cam Newton and the high-powered Carolina offense scored on their first opening drive. At that moment it looked like the Panthers would roll over the Falcons as they had did week 13 back in Charlotte, NC. But, that clearly wasn't the case.
With the first drive of the Falcons, the Panthers had a three and out defensive stop wrapped up. Unfortunately, Charles Tillman thought otherwise and got unsportsmanlike conduct by getting into a wrestling match with Falcons receiver Roddy White. Which later lead to a 4-yard touchdown run by Falcons running back Devonta Freeman. Later in the game, the Panthers had another chance to win the game by Josh Norman recovering a fumble from a bad snap that flew over Matt Ryan head. The Panthers offense could only get a field goal even with good field position off the fumble recovery which put the Panthers back up 10-7 in the third quarter.
Matt Ryan soon answered back by avoiding a sack and stepping up into the pockets and throwing the ball deep down field to Julio Jones who out jumped Luke Kuechly &Kurt Coleman that lead to a 70-yard touchdown untouched. The fourth quarter was just a plethora of field goals. Carolina offense had one more chance to tie the game and send the game to overtime. After a 19 yard completion to Panthers wide receiver Corey Brown, you would think the Panthers were moving in the right direction. But, the next play the rookie linebacker Vic Beasley out of Clemson strip sacked Cam Newton and Adrian Clayborn recovered it which lead to Atlanta winning the game 20-13. One good thing for the Carolina Panthers losing this helps takes pressure off them to go undefeated. Now they can just focus on winning a Super Bowl now.
Cam Newton finished the game going 17-30 for 142 yards passing yards. However he did get in the end zone running the ball finishing with 7 rushing attempts for 46 yards and a touchdown. Panthers running game was basically nonexistent with the exception of Cam Newton. Johnathan Stewart needs to be healthy before the playoffs or the Panthers will have some problems in the playoffs. Greg Olsen only had 4 receptions for 40 yards. Matt Ryan, however, went 23-30 for 306 yards and a touchdown for the Falcons. Julio had 9 receptions for 178 yards and a touchdown. Roddy White even had a good game having 5 receptions and 67 yards. Devonta Freeman had 73 rushing yards and a touchdown for the Falcons.
