Falcons Win Rare High Scoring Game
Falcons (4-4) win rare type of game that propelled them in sole procession of first place by one game in the NFC South. This game versus the Carolina Panthers (2-6) was slated to be a low scoring defensive game, but that was not the case. The Falcons pulled off the high scoring slugfest by kicking a field goal with two minutes left in overtime to win 37-34. Both teams had the opportunity to win during regulation, but mistakes helped not secure the win for either team. It seemed that which team had the ball last would win, and that was the case.
Panthers Versus Falcons Game Notes
The game started slow for both teams as the first couple of drives for both teams resulted in zero points. But that’s where the game took off. Falcons Tight End Kyle Pitts had a game that everyone was waiting for him to have. Pitts hauled in five catches for 80 yards and one touchdown. Could have had 10-15 more but dropped the first pass thrown his way. But he stepped up the rest of the game. Quarterback Marcus Mariota had another game where you think, this is why the Falcons signed him. He went 20/28 for 253 yards on three touchdowns and 43 rush yards on six carries.
The running game was still a beast which helped the team win the time of possession by 5:03, 36:34 (Falcons) 31:31 (Panthers). For the fourth game in a row the team has surpassed 100 rush yards rushing for a combined 167 yards on 6.1 yards a carry. The Panthers topped the Falcons with 169 rush yards, but the extra five minutes that the Falcons had the ball, especially in overtime, helped the Falcons take control of the game late in overtime. This also broke the defenses’ streak of not allowing a team more than 100 rush yards in a game.
Though giving up 34 points, the defense stepped up big when it needed too. Helping out with the scoring, defensive end Lorenzo Carter intercepted a pass from Carolina QB P.J. Walker and ran it back for a score for the Falcons second touchdown of the game.
Penalty that Cost the Panthers
In the second half of the game there were five straight possessions combined by both teams where a touchdown was scored. But the last touchdown scored in the game was by the Panthers to tied the game at 34. With :29 seconds left in regular time, Panthers QB Walker throws a 60-yard hailmary to receiver D.J Moore to tie the game, but a penalty was called that cost the Panthers the lead and win.
An unsportsmanlike conduct call was called on Moore after the touchdown for taking his helmet off in celebration and jumping into the stands. That cost the Panthers 15-yards on the point after attempt in which place kicker pulled wide left the 48-yard extra point. At that point the game went into overtime.
Overtime Drama
Heading into overtime the Falcons won the toss and elected to receive. Guess they forgot it is better to defer and play defense first because what happened next usually happens. Mariota after picking up a first down, it was 2nd and 9, threw a pick and the Panthers ran it back to the 25- yard line to set up Panthers’ place kicker Eddy Pinero for a 33-yard field goal that he missed, second of the game.
Falcons got life back in their offense. They then marched downfield with key catches by the receivers and a 29-yard run by Mariota to set up field goal position. On a 41-yard attempt, Falcons place kicker Younghoe Koo made his 39th out of 40th field goal of this season. Drive home safely Falcon fans!!!
Next Game
Falcons (4-4) stay at home and will host the Los Angeles Chargers (4-3). Kickoff is set for 1:00PM EST on FOX at Mercedes Benz Stadium. Read more of my articles here, and next week read my writeup on this game and more Falcons coverage at Gridiron Heroics.
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