The Falcons did not look all that great against the Carolina Panthers today, but like they’ve done all season long, they found a way to win and Atlanta came away with a 31-10 win over the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
The Falcons got the scoring started early as Matt Ryan threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Tony Gonzalez early in the first quarter. That play was possible thanks to a Jonathan Stewart fumble which was recovered by Dunta Robinson.
The Falcons were able to score again quickly on their next possession with a Michael Turner 1-yard touchdown run. That play was possible because Matt Ryan hit Harry Douglass on a 46-yard pass four plays before the Turner touchdown run. Turner finished the day with three rushing touchdowns and 112 yards on 28 carries.
The only scoring in the second quarter when Matt Bryant kicked a 39-yard field goal with 2:38 left.
It looked as if the Falcons were going to run away with the game when the third quarter began, but Carolina was not going to back down easily, as they drove 81 yards on five plays and which led to a Mike Goodson 13-yard touchdown run. The touchdown was possible because Jonathan Stewart had a 48-yard run and Steve Smith had a 9-yard run on an end around play.
The Panthers were able to get the ball back later in the quarter and were threatening to score as they were at the Falcons 28-yard line. But the drive was stalled when Chauncey Davis sacked Jimmy Clausen at midfield on fourth-and-four. The Falcons answered quickly with Turner 3-yard touchdown run to put the Falcons up 24-7.
Turner scored again midway through the fourth quarter when he ran up the middle for a 4-yard touchdown to put the Falcons up by 21.
Matt Ryan was not flawless but he was efficient, completing 20 of his 34 passes with 227 yards, one touchdown and one interception which came at the end of the second quarter. Roddy White led all receivers with eight catches and 79 yards.
But it was the Falcons defense that had a big day in the win. John Abraham and Kroy Bierrman each had two sacks while Davis had the other. Mike Peterson also had a big game with six tackles, one forced fumble and one interception which came in the fourth quarter. The only concern is Stewart was able to have some big runs, rushing for 133 yards. But because the Falcons pass defense was efficient, they were able to limit Carolina to only 288 yards of total offense.
So here’s the scenario. Because Green Bay lost to Detroit, the Falcons need either Philadelphia to lose to Dallas or the New York Giants to lose to Minnesota to clinch a playoff spot. The Falcons will travel to Seattle to take on the Seahawks next Sunday and if the Falcons win that game and one of their final two games of the season, they will clinch the NFC South title and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. So the Falcons are glad they won today to earn their 11th win of the season. But they are in no way shape or form satisfied and will be back at work on Wednesday to get ready for the Seattle.
Loading ...
