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ATLANTA – There were a few stretches in Atlanta's 28-20 victory Sunday against the Carolina that the Panthers couldn't get the Falcons' offense off the field.
The Falcons' ability to convert key third downs is a reason why.
Atlanta converted four consecutive third downs on a drive in the second quarter that produced a touchdown and gave the Falcons a lead they wouldn't give up. Biggest of them was a 15-yard pass from Matt Ryan to Marty Booker on a third-and-11, allowing the Falcons to keep possession at the Panthers 22.
Five plays later – and with the help of a 9-yard pass from Ryan to Tony Gonzalez on a third-and-7 – the Falcons had a touchdown and a 14-10 lead. The drive lasted 14 plays. "Defensively, it's very frustrating, because you always want to get off the field when it's third down," said Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis, who had 12 tackles.
The Panthers actually had a better third-down conversion rate than Atlanta – 7-of-12 (58 percent) to 6-of-12 (50 percent). Jake Delhomme's 18-yard pass to DeAngelo Williams on a third-and-16 in the fourth quarter kept a scoring drive alive.
"Not getting off the field is demoralizing," said Panthers linebacker Jon Beason, probably speaking for the Falcons' defense, too.
Notes
Not sure what the Panthers were thinking on their third drive. After starting the game on solid footing offensively – and the drive with a 14-yard run by Williams – Carolina decided to try some trickery, with Williams tossing the ball back to Delhomme on an apparent flea-flicker. Delhomme was sacked – but also tried to get rid of the ball as he was going down. The ball went directly to a Falcons defender, who dropped it. It wouldn't have been an interception, since Delhomme had been ruled "in the grasp." Still, it seemed like some unnecessary tom-foolery for an offense that can't afford any mistakes.Williams blamed himself for the play backfiring, saying he shouldn't have pitched it back after he felt pressure from Falcons linebacker Stephen Nicholas.
Panthers receiver Dwayne Jarrett said he barely missed catching Delhomme's Hail Mary throw in the end zone as the game ended. Atlanta's Brent Grimes knocked the ball away – but nearly to a diving Jarrett.
"I was just a second off," said Jarrett. "(Grimes) saw me waiting there – and that's what I'm there for, waiting for the tip. I was there, but the ball hit the ground just before I could get to it."
Charlotte's Kenneth Moore (Butler High, Wake Forest) caught the first pass of his NFL career, a 6-yarder from Delhomme late in the first half.
The Falcons wore throw-back uniforms from 1966, their inaugural season, including their original red helmets. The team was honored at halftime. Biggest applause went to linebacker Tommy Nobis.
Although the game was an announced sellout of 67,313, there were plenty of empty seats scattered throughout the Georgia Dome. Too bad, because inside was the place to be on a wet day in Atlanta.
It wasn't a great day for the Panthers' special teams. Although John Kasay kicked a 50-yard field goal, they gave up a blocked punt by the Falcons and allowed long kickoff returns of 39 yards by Jerious Norwood and 41 by Eric Weems. Both of Norwood's returns were the result of missed tackles.
Panthers safety Charles Godfrey was knocked silly on one play – by teammates Davis and Beason as they all converged on Gonzalez.
Panthers secondary/safeties coach Mike Gillhamer is a devoted runner. He was out there at mid-morning Sunday, taking laps around the outside of the Georgia Dome as fans walked to the stadium.
Steve Smith was called for offensive pass interference in the fourth quarter, angering him enough that he got into a shouting match with Falcons cornerback Brian Williams. Smith obviously thought the call should have gone the other way.
Linebacker Na'il Diggs hurt his ribs in the second quarter and fullback Brad Hoover suffered a back injury. Neither returned to the game. Receivers Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad both had leg injuries during the game but returned.
By the numbers
3: Fumbles by Williams in three-plus seasons (568 carries). He had his first since 2007 Sunday against Atlanta.13: Consecutive completions by Ryan during one stretch.
14.7: Delhomme's quarterback rating last week against Philadelphia.
82.2: Delhomme's rating Sunday.
Quoting
"I remember the (tackles) I missed. Those are the ones that haunt me." – Beason, who had six Sunday."No, no, no." – Tight end Dante Rosario, asked if he had any doubt that he had scored after the ball popped loose when he stretched his arms across the goal line. The touchdown stood after the play was reviewed.
"I never felt like this was out of reach." – Offensive tackle Jordan Gross.
