Turnovers doom the Panthers in 29-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons
Posted December 12, 2021 2:28 p.m. EST
Updated December 12, 2021 3:58 p.m. EST
It's become a theme this Panthers season: you can't win when you turn the ball over. Carolina's three interceptions and one fumble doomed them in a 29-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
Matt Rhule's decision to move on from offensive coordinator Joe Brady paid early dividends on the first Panthers possession of the game. Cam Newton capped off a 9 play 65 yard drive with a 12 yard touchdown run at 8:26 in the first quarter to give Carolina a 7-0 lead. The first drive of the Jeff Nixon era calling plays featured 6 runs and 3 passes.
The Falcons responded with a well executed drive of their own. Rock Hill, SC native Cordarrelle Patterson continued his surprise breakout season with a 5 yard touchdown run to tie things at 7 with 3:03 left in the first quarter. The run was Patterson's 10th total touchdown this season, a career high.
A strong start from Newton was squandered in the second quarter when he was intercepted over the middle by Mykal Walker who returned it 66 yards for the score to give Atlanta a 14-7 lead with 8:35 remaining in the half.
The Falcons then extended their lead to 17-7 after a 32 yard field goal from Younghoe Koo.
With 3:12 remaining in the half, back up QB P.J. Walker entered the game in place of Newton. Different QB, same result. On 3rd and 6, Walker rolled out and targeted Robby Anderson on a corner route but the ball was under thrown and intercepted by A.J. Terrell. Atlanta led 17-7 at the half.
With Newton back at QB to start the third quarter the Carolina offense got back on track. Chuba Hubbard finished a 8 play 60 yard drive with a 17 yard touchdown run to cut the Atlanta lead to 17-14.
Atlanta quickly got the lead back up to 20-14 with a 38 yard field goal from Koo.
With 4:45 left in the third the Panthers offense was doomed again by another costly turnover. Newton's foot got stepped on after the center exchange causing him to trip and fumble the handoff to Hubbard. Atlanta would recover near the 50 yard line.
The Falcons would capitalize to start the 4th quarter on a yard play action pass to tight end Hayden Hurst. The Falcons would fail to convert a two point conversion giving them a 26-14 lead with 14:17 to play.
After the Panthers failed to convert a 4th and 11 from midfield the Falcons would put the game all but out of reach with a 48 yard field goal from Koo to extend their lead to 29-14 with 6:10 to play.
The Panthers finally caught a break when Quadree Ollison fumbled at the 49 yard line, Panthers LB Jermaine Carter Jr. would recover.
Walker would get the Panthers back within a score after a 6 play 51 yard drive in 1:38. Walker found Anderson in the endzone on a 5 yard fade pass to make it 29-21.
The Falcons would run out the clock from there winning by a final score of 29-21. The win improves Atlanta's record to 6-7 and drops the Panthers to 5-8.
