Carolina Panthers fall to Atlanta Falcons in 37-34 overtime thriller revealing team's toughness
Right out of the gate, the Panthers played with intensity on the defensive side of the ball and Donte Jackson came up with a big interception but they couldn’t capitalize and would have to punt.
Later on Atlanta’s second possession, Frankie Luvu applied real pressure with a sack that stalled another Falcon drive.
The game remained scoreless until Eddy Pineiro hit a 37 yard field goal that made it 3-0 Carolina by the end of the first quarter.
Atlanta’s offense started executing and Marcus Mariota completed a 10 play 69 yard scoring drive when he connected with Kyle Pitts from 2 yards out it was 7-3 Falcons.
Still in the second quarter the Panthers answer back going 12 plays and 75 yards on D’Onta Foreman’s 2 yard run. Atlanta trailing 10-7.
Walker in that hurry up offense threatening right before halftime but he threw a 26 yard pick six to Lorenzo Carter and the Falcons led 14-10.
In the third quarter, the Panthers pulled back within one off Pineiro’s 42 yard field goal.
Later in the 3rd quarter, Mariota hit Tyler Allgeier with a 25 yard touchdown pass that capped an 8 play 62 yard scoring drive and extended the Falcons 21-13 lead.
PJ Walker determined to get that Carolina offense back in it through the air and on the ground and D’Onta Foreman punched it in off a 10 play 75 yard drive. Foreman’s two point conversion also successful and the game all tied up at 21 apiece in the final quarter.
But Atlanta retook the lead when Younghoe Koo connected on a 30 yard field goal. It was 24-21 Falcons.
Walker kept the Panthers competing hard hooking up with Terrace Marshall for 39 yards then Foreman finishing strong with a 12 yard run that put Carolina up 28-24 with just over three minutes left in the game.
The Panthers defense could come up with a stop on Atlanta’s next possession. Mariota found Damiere Byrd who took it in from 47 yards out to give the Falcons a 31-28 lead.
The Falcons closed it all out on a field goal the final 34-28 as Carolina drops to 2-6 on the season.
Walker the hero and leader never quit launching a huge 62 yard TD pass to DJ Moore. That Hail Mary tied the game up but the PAT failed so we head to overtime.
In overtime Carolina’s defense with one of the top plays in the game on CJ Henderson’s Interception and return that set up Pineiro’s possible game winner but he missed the field goal and gave Atlanta another opportunity.
The Falcons lined up later for a 31 yard field goal and Koo nailed it. They win in overtime over the Panthers who drop to 2-6 on the season.
