ATLANTA, GA. (CHARLOTTE SPORTS LIVE) — A lot was on the line on Sunday in Atlanta. The Falcons were fighting for a spot in the playoffs and winning the NFC South since the Buccaneers won against the Saints and the Panthers wanted to end the season on a high note.
In the end, the Panthers were victorious and ended the season 5-12.
FINAL SCORE: 44-38
Each team traded field goals in the first quarter, but the second quarter was all touchdowns. The first touchdown finally came about four minutes into the second quarter when Bryce Young scrambled and ran it in from two yards out to give the Panthers a 10-3 lead. The Falcons responded in a similar fashion with rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. scrambling for a five-yard touchdown to tie the game with 5:27 left in the first half.
The Panthers kept the offense rolling with a five-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a Miles Sanders 33-yard touchdown run that put the Panthers back on top with under three minutes left. The Falcons once again responded, this time with a three-yard touchdown run courtesy of Bijan Robinson to tie the game at 17. The Falcons were able to get the ball back one more time before the half ended and put up another touchdown. Penix found Drake London from 20 yards out to take a 24-17 lead at the break.
Back from halftime, the Panthers intercepted a pass intended for Falcons’ Ray-Ray McCloud and within four plays in their next drive, even out the score with a touchdown by Tommy Tremble. Penix gets sacked by Jadeveon Clowney and the Falcons attempt a field goal, but it was no good.
Panthers quickly regain the lead with a pass to D.J. Moore for a 9-yard touchdown and extra point by Pineiro. Shortly into the fourth quarter, Falcons would match the Panthers with a 21-yard touchdown by London.
Young responded by running the ball himself 10 yards before hitting his little dance in the endzone. As the two-minute warning was called, the Panthers were ahead by seven. But that lead is shortlived as the Falcons make yet another touchdown, tying the game once again sending the teams into overtime.
Carolina won the coin flip and made numerous strides toward the endzone. In a heart-pounding, nerve-wracking finish, the Panthers score a touchdown by Miles Sanders. Panthers knock the Falcons out of the playoffs and finish third in the NFC South.
