Panthers at Falcons
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Sunday, Mercedes-Benz Stadium
TV: Fox 5
Records: Panthers 5-5; Falcons 3-6
Line: Falcons -3.5
Outlook: The Falcons have lost four straight games, and their 30-0 loss to Carolina is one of the most puzzling results in the league this season. Though, the Panthers’ 17-7 loss to the New Orleans Saints last week ranks on that list too.
Follow along with the AJC’s D. Orlando Ledbetter and Rod Beard.
After the Falcons didn't score on their overtime possession, the Panthers drove the length of the field, including a 54-yard pass play by Tommy Tremble, to set up a winning field goal by Ryan Fitzgerald that gave Carolina a 30-27 win on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
It's the fifth straight loss for the Falcons, who fell to 3-7. The Panthers improved to 6-5, having won both head-to-head meetings this season.
Michael Penix Jr. sustained a knee injury in the third quarter and didn't play the rest of the game, giving way to Kirk Cousins, who led the Falcons to the tying drive late in regulation.
The Falcons' top receiving option is out for overtime after sustaining a knee injury.
The Falcons were trailing, but now they're going to overtime after the offense got in position for a 45-yard field goal by Zane Gonzalez tied it at 27 with 16 seconds remaining in regulation.
It was the second field goal of the quarter for Gonzalez, whose 52-yarder helped extend the lead to five.
After the Falcons extended their lead to five, the Panthers responded with another impressive drive, going 65 yards in 1:35.
Tetairoa McMillan scored his second touchdown of the game, on a 13-yard pass play from Bryce Young, making it a 25-24 margin. On the 2-point try, Young found Jalen Coker in the back of the end zone to make it 27-24 with 1:08 remaining.
After replay review, officials called Dowdle out at the 10-yard line, where the Panthers will have 1st-and-goal with 1:23 left.
The Panthers looked like they grabbed the lead on a 38-yard touchdown play by Rico Dowdle with 1:20 left, but replays showed that his left foot may have stepped out.
The officials called the play a touchdown on the field, but it's under review.
On fourth-and-1 from the Falcons' 44, the Panthers went for it and Bryce Young was stopped for a 4-yard loss and a turnover on downs. It's the biggest play of the game for the Falcons' defense, which got the hold it needed, giving the ball back to the offense.
It looked to be a three-and-out, but Zane Gonzalez hit a 52-yard field goal to extend the lead to 24-19 with 2:43 left.
Falcons starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. left Sunday’s game after sustaining a knee injury.
Penix didn’t return on the next offensive series and backup Kirk Cousins took over as the signal-caller late in the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The injury to Penix came as he was evading the pass rush and a Penix landed on his left knee awkwardly.
At the time, the Falcons were leading, 21-16, with Penix leading the way, going 13-for-16 for 175 yards and no interceptions.
On the ensuing kickoff return, the Falcons fumbled and the Panthers recovered at the 33, with a chance to grab the lead.
Special-teams play has been an adventure so far today.
The Panthers didn't waste much time, opening the second half with a scoring drive, going 68 yards in five plays, with a 36-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Young to Xavier Legette to trim the Falcons' lead to 21-16.
Carolina went for two to try to cut the lead to three, but James Pearce sacked Young. It's a questionable call for the Panthers to go for two that early in the game, especially when they were gaining momentum.
About the Author
