If ever there was a trap game for the Falcons, this was it. Cruising along at 11-1, and then along comes this:
Third down efficiency: Atlanta 25% (2-8); Carolina 60% (9-15)
Rushing yards: Atlanta 35; Carolina 195
Indiv rushing yards: Turner and Rodgers combined 35; Newton himself 116
Time of possession: Atlanta 24 minutes; Carolina 36 minutes
QB rating: Ryan 94; Newton 110
Atlanta punted 4 times and scored 3 times. Carolina punted twice and scored 6 times.
Final score: Panthers 30 Falcons 20. Dominant from end to end. This one was hard to take. Carolina's offense, and particularly their defense has struggled all season, and came into this game with a 3-9 record.
One pleasant outcome may have been the Birds' red zone defense. Forced Carolina to kick field goals instead of touchdowns 3 times. Carolina was 0 for 1 in red zone efficiency.
But in the end it was just too much Cam Newton. The kid was on fire today, and there was little that we did to slow him down.
OK. Keep in moving. We must win 2 of the next 3 (Giants, Lions, Bucs) to secure home field advantage. The Giants are next for us, coming into the Dome next Sunday. After the way they crushed the Saints today (52 to 27), we've got work to do this week.
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