Panthers hold on to defeat Falcons, 30-20
CHARLOTTE – Splat!
That was the sound of the NFC South champion Falcons falling flat on their faces against the last-place Carolina Panthers Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.
The Panthers, behind a strong showing from quarterback Cam Newton, defeated the Falcons 30-20 and slowed down Atlanta’s march to claiming the NFC’s top seed.
The Panthers jumped out to a 23-0 early third quarter lead and held on to improve to 4-9, while the Falcons slipped to 11-2.
“They were much better than us today,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “They beat us in all three phases. We couldn’t sustain drives on third down offensively. We couldn’t even come close to getting them off the field on third downs (defensively).”
The Falcons needed a win and bizarre trifecta of other losses to claim the top seed for the playoffs, which comes with a bye and home-field advantage throughout.
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) throws a pass as Atlanta Falcons' Sean Weatherspoon (56) defends during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
The Falcons are still ahead of San Francisco (9-3-1) and Green Bay (8-4, before playing Detroit on Sunday night). They have a 1 ½ lead over the 49ers with three games to play.
The Falcons want to put this stinker of game behind them quickly.
“It better be a bump in the road if we are the team we think we are,” tight end Tony Gonzalez said.
In recent years, the hottest team in December has gone on to enjoy post-season success.
The Falcons have been eliminated in their first game of the playoffs in three of the past four season.
They wanted to start the fourth-quarter of the regular-season by building some momentum into the playoffs.
With the New York Giants up next, they could end up stumbling into the playoffs.
“I can hear them right now,” Gonzalez said. “They are getting off the band wagon. They are jumping off.
“From looking at our history, a lot of people are going to say, ‘see I told you.’ But we are a good football team. There is no doubt about it. We are going to play better. …We are going to be back to playing the way we have been playing.”
Newton, of Fulton County’s Westlake High and Auburn, completed 23 of 35 passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns. He had a passer rating of 110.1. Newton also rushed nine times for 116 yards, including a 72-yard touchdown.
“You’ve got to take your hat off to him,” Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon said. “It was his day.”
There was a lot of talk before the game from the Panthers.
They said they were disrespected by Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, who was seen on Fox television cameras telling the Panthers to “get the (bleep) off our field” after the Falcons pulled out a 30-28 win on Sept. 30 at the Georgia Dome.
Carolina defensive end Greg Hardy also said the Panthers were better than the Falcons. The Falcons seemed amused by all of the chatter.
“They’ve been fired up all week,” Gonzalez said. “We heard it all week and they came out and got after us.”
Carolina jumped out to a 16-0 halftime lead.
Here last season, the Falcons were down by 16 at the half, but rallied to win.
Not this time.
Newton broke loose on a read-option run and scampered 72 yards. Graham Gano’s extra point made it 23-0 with 11:01 left in the third quarter.
The Falcons came back with two touchdowns, but after Roddy White’s two-point conversion catch was ruled incomplete, the rally died.
The Panthers answered when DeAngelo Williams scored from 53 yards out on a screen pass to make it 30-13 with 4:11 to play
The Falcons added a 1-yard touchdown run by Michael Turner for the final 30-20 margin.
“I like the way we responded in the second half if you’re looking for the silver lining,” Gonzalez said.
The Falcons had not played since beating New Orleans 23-13 on Nov. 29.
“I’m a little disappointed with the way we came out,” Gonzalez said. “There is no excuse for that.”
Smith felt the team had a good week of practice and made no excuses for them coming out flat against a feisty Carolina squad.
“They played well and we didn’t play up to our standard,” Smith said.
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186 comments Add your comment
Esquire
December 9th, 2012
4:51 pm
5-6-7-8
Everywhere we goooO,
Everywhere we goooO,
People wanna knooOw,
People wanna knooOw,
Who we aaa are,
Who we aaa are,
So we tell theem, So we tell theem,
We are the FALCONS!! We are the FALCONS!!
MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS, MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS !!
OHH AHH OHH YEEAHH
5-6-7-8 Who do we appreciate???? GOOOOOO FALCONS!!!!!
WE ARE THE MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS!!!!
Where is Mike’s Cox? I need it bad. Please???
Buzzman
December 9th, 2012
4:53 pm
Matty Meltdown, and the Falcons want respect. No wonder nobody takes them serious, they have been lucky all year, the time has come, we lose to 2 more games, and then we lose again in the first playoff. Here comes the same old Falcons we have seen in the past……If you want respect, you have to earn it. Get rid of Turner, I am 65 years old and I could get to the line quicker than he could, then you would have to call 911 for me, but at least I proved a point….
1990_Champs_GT
December 9th, 2012
4:53 pm
Leaving the defense on the field all day is why we lost. Ryan didn’t have much time, but its hard to believe with all the weapons out there no one is open!
Biggun
December 9th, 2012
4:54 pm
No excuses! Coach had 9 days to prepare his gameplan. This was by far the worse effort I have seen all year. I hope they can get their smoke and mirrors back, or this is going to be another fruitless playoff team. Christopher Owens again was overmatched in the secondary.
Mike
December 9th, 2012
4:54 pm
We are 11-2 . Calm down . It was a bad game , but I’m sure they will get it together. You don’t become 11-2 for no reason. The offensive line needs to be revamped. I hope all the doubters get off this blog and the sCam Newton fans enjoy this. He is what 1-4 ? against the birds. Please , I hope they enjoy sitting on the couch as the birds have the #1 seed in the NFC. They will pull it together, I just like a lot of you people on here have been fans for way too long and I know doubt creeps in this time of year, but have faith.
Cats hav fleas 2
December 9th, 2012
4:55 pm
This team lately looks just average. Not gonna go far if play doesn’t improve across the board.
Rip
December 9th, 2012
4:56 pm
Hey I like the fact that the Panthers told the Falcons we are going to slap you around like a little girl, and if you want some MAN UP, and all I saw were tears in the Falcoons eyes. So hang your division title in the Dome, just like another team in this town, drink some coke and wait until next year
NFL
December 9th, 2012
4:58 pm
Ryan is like a heat seeking missile. he lock on one target ( wr). while the other wr be wide open
Matt Ryan
December 9th, 2012
5:00 pm
Mr. Blank, my contract is almost up…….I believe I’m having my best year of my career. I even lifted weights this offseason.
Johnny Manziel
December 9th, 2012
5:03 pm
Hmmmm….I believe I can help your team Mr. Blank.
oldbird
December 9th, 2012
5:03 pm
Looks like Greg Hardy was right. And all the pundits that doubt the Falcons, well now we know why and they are right. Looked like a one and done playoff team today for sure.
X-Ryan
December 9th, 2012
5:05 pm
Ryan has all the physical gift but has no athletic instinct whatsoever. I hope we trade up to get Manziel when he comes out of college. I would trade Matt Ryan and a first round pick to get Manziel in a heartbeat!!! Are you guys listening Mr. Owner and GM???
NFL
December 9th, 2012
5:07 pm
Matty melt is garbage.He will never lead this team to a superbowl. he checkdown to much, lock on one wr. i know it the ol but when we win, the online is hella good ,but vice versa when we lose
Volquest
December 9th, 2012
5:07 pm
Must be playoff time,,, this is how we do it when it really counts…
40+frustration
December 9th, 2012
5:08 pm
I have watched the Falcons for most of the last 40 years and I have seen them win the big ones and lose to the teams they should beat for the past 40 years. Today was no surprise. I want them to win big in the playoffs but, if I had to bet my pay check, I would bet on them going out in the first round. Matty is cool in the regular season – for the most part – but comes unglued when it is time for the best to step up (see Brees, Manning, and Rodgers). I think Matty may have gotten them as far as he can.
rocki84
December 9th, 2012
5:09 pm
Got to be the worst first half of football I have ever witnessed by a team, much less one that is looking to go to the Super Bowl. Ryan has not played well in the last 5 games. He has gotten progressively worse. He peaked about a third of the way through the season. He needs to shut his mouth and be a leader, cause he just got punched in the mouth by Carolina. I am all for trading him for a rookie in the draft if we lose in the first round again, cause he is a pansy ass.
yellowfever
December 9th, 2012
5:11 pm
all these so called weapons and we don’t score any more points than all the other teams in the NFL. What say you Arthur,Tom,Mike. Me say bunch of softies on the line and terrible play calling. Oh yea did I mention a bunch of pussies also.
TechRon
December 9th, 2012
5:12 pm
Biggest flaws in Falcons team is lack of a pass rush and the need for a real stud running back. I mean a Mark Ingram or someone like that. The defense today was quite embarrassing. Hard to believe we are that bad. Truly, truly awful performance today by the whole team. A disgrace.
NFL
December 9th, 2012
5:12 pm
Know watch the panthers get blown out by the chargers…lmao
Arthur Blank
December 9th, 2012
5:12 pm
Johnny Football, we could use you next year. Don’t tell Matt. This is between you and me.
X-Ryan
December 9th, 2012
5:12 pm
Since his first season, i’ve seen Ryan played to expectation in only one game out of his many years in Atlanta.
Not a falCANT fan
December 9th, 2012
5:12 pm
Your luck has run out. Been lucky all year. falCANT players are getting the big head. Matty Ice cold get off the Panthers field. Matty Ice Cold will be one and done in the playoffs again this year. That will make it 0 and 3.
FALCONS
Fans
Always
Looking
Constantly
At
Next Season
south ga fan
December 9th, 2012
5:14 pm
I see another one and done in playoffs.
TD did not do anything to improve O-line. Ryan does not have time too throw football with this line. Everyone wants too blame running backs and QB. Blame for failure of our offense is in offense line and I do not want too leave out the OC . Dirk shows why he had the 32nd ranked offense last year.I do not see him as a improvement over MM. At least MM could have offense run football.
The reason falcons have won eleven games this year( Mike Nolan).
I see what the news media sees. Another failed playoff for falcons!!!!!!!!!!!
TD needs to draft a first round offense lineman.McClure is a has been. Baker is to weak, Konz is playing out of position,Only offense limeman that could play on a good o-line is Claybo and Blaylock.
40+frustration
December 9th, 2012
5:14 pm
Ryan has shown he can put up a good record in the regular season but Little Brother Manning has shown that you don’t have to go undefeated in the regular season to go all the way in the playoffs. We need someone who is at his BEST in the playoffs.
Falcon Old Timer
December 9th, 2012
5:15 pm
Matty Ice??? How about Matty MELTS along with everyone else on offense and defense. Another ONE and DONE coming in the play-offs!!!
Esquire
December 9th, 2012
5:20 pm
5-6-7-8
Everywhere we goooO,
Everywhere we goooO,
People wanna knooOw,
People wanna knooOw,
Who we aaa are,
Who we aaa are,
So we tell theem, So we tell theem,
We are the FALCONS!! We are the FALCONS!!
MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS, MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS !!
OHH AHH OHH YEEAHH
5-6-7-8 Who do we appreciate??? GO FALCONS!!!
WE ARE THE MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS!!!
Not a falCANT fan
December 9th, 2012
5:21 pm
Falcon Old Timer, you are so very smart. I have said this for years. First of the season, BIG hype. End of the season, NEXT YEAR !!!!
E
December 9th, 2012
5:22 pm
This is why the Falcons don’t get any respect. Most of the wins this season could have gone the other way. This is not good football!
MaFalcon
December 9th, 2012
5:27 pm
Falcons had no incentive to play, winning the division last week. They waited too late to decide to get in the game. Coach ‘em up, Coach, or you’ll be watching the Super Bowl on TV with the rest of us.
MTSeats
December 9th, 2012
5:28 pm
Ole 5pick Julio had 66 yds. Yea
ncdawg1
December 9th, 2012
5:28 pm
esquire obviously hasn’t been a falcons fan for long.
Greg Hardy
December 9th, 2012
5:30 pm
GET OFF OUR FIELD YOU BUNCH OF PUSSIES.
Esquire
December 9th, 2012
5:31 pm
It’s these type of games that separate the real fans from the stupid bandwagon puds in Atlanta. All of you know where you can stick your heads!
WE ARE THE MIGHTY, MIGHTY FALCONS!!!
Esquire
December 9th, 2012
5:33 pm
ncdawg1
December 9th, 2012
5:28 pm
esquire obviously hasn’t been a falcons fan for long.
********************************************************************************************
Shouldn’t you be watching your CAINTS lose????
Not a falCANT fan
December 9th, 2012
5:35 pm
Esquire, MOST falCANT fans are Bandwagon fans !!!!!! They will jump ship after one and done in playoffs again this year.
ncdawg1
December 9th, 2012
5:36 pm
this was the most embarrising loss since the debacle with the giants last year. I have a feeling this is what we can expect in the future. If i would have traveled to charlotte to watch my falcons today, i would demand a refund from Arthur Blank. The Falcons did not show up at all in the first half and then looked like a bunch of losers during the last 6 minutes of the game.
Start looking for a good running back to draft next year. Turner is done and rogers is to small to be the main back!
Esquire
December 9th, 2012
5:37 pm
5-6-7-8
Everywhere we goooO,
Everywhere we goooO,
People wanna knooOw,
People wanna knooOw,
Who we aaa are,
Who we aaa are,
So we tell theem, So we tell theem,
We are the FALCONS!! We are the FALCONS!!
MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS, MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS !!
OHH AHH OHH YEEAHH
WE ARE THE MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS!!!
Give me some of Mike’s Cox NOW!!!
Esquire
December 9th, 2012
5:41 pm
Not a falCANT fan
December 9th, 2012
5:35 pm
Esquire, MOST falCANT fans are Bandwagon fans !!!!!! They will jump ship after one and done in playoffs again this year.
**************************************************************
The cain’ts should have gone for it on fourth and 2, instead of settling for the 3. Whad do they have to lose? Third place? LOL!
Give me some of Mike’s Cox!
WE ARE THE MIGHTY, MIGHTY FALCONS!
Angrybird!!
December 9th, 2012
5:42 pm
Priorities ain’t straight.. Undisciplined and focused on the irrelevant instead of securing an easy win and getting the fans on there back for next Sunday and beyond.. Forget a new stadium and let them leave for a LA if they want too.. All these acquisitions.. Smdh, win big for once.. Quit showing us your cars @dblock https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPxq4hNhwB0&feature=youtube_gdata_player
UGA ECONOMICS MAJOR
December 9th, 2012
5:43 pm
11-2 while very dissapointed in the play today of the Falcons ..i do believe come time for the playoffs they will be ready and hungry…this is just a bump in the road folks….falcons WILL RISE TO THE OCCASION AT THE RIGHT TIME
44counter
December 9th, 2012
5:43 pm
Yaaaawwwwnnnnn!!!! Let’s talk/debate/ cuss/ fuss…… in about 4 weeks.
Dam!!! I’m stiff……must have slept crooked……FALCONS RISE UP!!!!!!
jo
December 9th, 2012
5:45 pm
Defense was held by Carolina all day long which is not to say the falcons deserved a win today. Bad calls, no holding calls (last scam td there was bigtine holding), and waiting until down 23 points to play and that was that. I wish the ajc sports writers would really tell the falcons what we fans think of them…one and done and not very good…and we are not believers…
longtimefan
December 9th, 2012
5:47 pm
11-2. Second loss of the season and the “fans” are writing the obituary. Every team in NFL has looked off at least one game this year with maybe exception of Houston. The Falcons looked flat. They all but have home field advantage locked up. Why don’t you fair wether fans go find a perfect team to root for.
Angrybird!!
December 9th, 2012
5:47 pm
Why can’t we play aggressive 4 qtrs???
Angrybird!!
December 9th, 2012
5:49 pm
We scored 20 points in the second half.. Mostly 4th qtr.. Start fast @mikesmith
pitifulshowing
December 9th, 2012
5:49 pm
Falcons need to play and keep their damn mouths shut
!!!!!! MR teams don’t forget!!!!!
jo
December 9th, 2012
5:52 pm
Longtimefan must not know the falcons much. The problem is that the falcons are playing as if they have not learned the lessons of consistent play and shining down the stretch. I have seen falcons teams that scrapped to win 9 or 10 games give us more confidence than these duds. No excitement lately, no killer instinct and a good record only because we have played the easiest schedule of all so called contenders….
okeetee
December 9th, 2012
5:53 pm
Ok, here’s my observation on this pathetic loss to a 3-9 team. It’s back to the drawing board with our run defense. We were shredded over and over again. Don’t know whether it was our defensive alignments or execution, but when the Panthers called a !running play it was as if our linebackers and front four were thinking it was a pass and were completely out of place to make a tackle. They had to have close to 200 yards on the ground, right? One pathetic turning point play was when we had Newton for a loss in the backfield and he somehow got away for about a 20 yard gain! On offense, the Turner experiment up the middle has GOT to come to an end! It is a wasted play. Our play calling is still way too conservative! Ryan did not have a stellar game by any stretch of the imagination, and the one interception he did throw was a bad one! He needs to go deep more often and I don’t think it’s because he doesn’t have time……he’s just afraid to pull the trigger. He’s a tad too bit conservative for me. Heck, if he throws a deep one and it get’s picked off, it’s just as good as a punt, which is what we do anyway giving the ball to Turner! I’m watching the Giants right now and their secondary is as poor as it gets. We should score 30 points on them next week at home! Frankly, we need to pass more to set up the run, not the other way around!
Angrybird!!
December 9th, 2012
5:53 pm
Exactly.. For example The league + media has respect for the pats because they shut up and get the job done… Were posers as evident in today’s loss.. We loss because we couldn’t just play like we wanted the victory.. We let them talk ish and we let them beat us.. Last minute heroics work great when it starts competitive.. I’m glad we weren’t playing any other team “in the hunt” @Seattle @green bay .. I’ll stop there
Oh My
December 9th, 2012
5:55 pm
Whatever AJC blog!