Recap of Carolina Panthers lost to Atlanta Falcons, 33-16

The Carolina Panthers lost to the Atlanta Falcons, 33 to 16 on Christmas eve. After winning three straight NFC South titles, the Falcons have taking the title away from the Panthers with a win against the Panthers and a Tampa Bay loss to the Saints. On first drive of the game the Falcons went 75-yards on 8 plays for a touchdown, with Matt Ryan throwing it to Joshua Perkins for a 26-yard touchdown. After Brian Poole picked off Cam Newton, Atlanta kicked a 51-yard field goal, to take 10-0 lead with 6 minutes to play in the first quarter. After Gano field goal, Ryan found D.J. Tialavea for 1-yard touchdown pass and take 20-3 lead with 5 minutes in the second quarter. Rookie Vernon Butler blocked an Atlanta field goal attempt to end the first half, that’s his second blocked field goal attempt this year. Cam found Kelvin Benjamin for a 26-yard touchdown on final play of the third quarter cutting the lead to 23-13. But after converting a 3^rd-and-21, Falcons running back Tevin Coleman ran for a 55-yard touchdown to make 30 to 13 and steal the victory for the Falcons. Tre Boston tackling on Coleman’s touchdown was terrible and looked like he playing 2-hand tag.

            After having a great game last week against the Redskins, Cam Newton had an awful game, only completed 18 of 43 passes for 198 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions with a 44.5 passer rating ranks as his 3rd worst for his career. While Matt Ryan had a great day, 27 of 33 for 277 yards and 2 touchdowns. There was some bright spot for the Panthers this game, Mario Addison come to play today recording 2 tackles for loss in the first quarter and a sack in the third quarter to put his total for the seasons 8.5. Shaq Thomson also played great, had 11 tackles for the game, second behind Thomas Davis who had 12 tackles for the Panthers. In the third quarter, Greg Olsen caught a 17-yard pass to make him the first tight end in NFL history to have 3 consecutive 1,000 yards receiving seasons. Graham Gano played with broken bone in his plant foot but he did make 3 field goals. Carolina Panthers (6-9) play Sunday at Tampa Bay Buccaneers for their last game of the seasons for the Panthers.