Panthers vs. Falcons live updates: Carolina holds off Atlanta for 3rd straight win
When the season began, there were a lot of NFL experts who thought the Panthers might win three games all season.
After Sunday’s 23-16 win in Atlanta, the Panthers have now won three in a row and are tied with Tampa Bay for first place in the NFC South.
The Panthers (3-2) and Bucs (3-2) are ahead of the Saints (2-2) who play the Chargers Monday night. Atlanta is 0-5 and no 0-5 team has made the NFL playoffs. Head coach Dan Quinn’s future may be in jeopardy.
Sunday, Carolina quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was 27-of-37 for 313 yards and two touchdowns and Panthers backup running back Mike Davis continued to play well, subbing for star Christian McCaffrey.
Davis ran 16 times for 89 yards and caught nine passes for 60 yards. Receiver Robby Anderson, who had 99 yards in a win over the Cardinal last week, had eight catches for 113 yards Sunday. DJ Moore caught four passes for 93 yards and a pretty 57-yard score.
And defensive back Juston Burris had the play of the game, intercepting Atlanta QB Matt Ryan in the end zone with the Panthers up 20-13 in the fourth quarter.
▪ Here are our our live updates from Sunday’s game:
Koo FG: Panthers 23, Falcons 16
Atlanta got a 54-yard field goal from Younghoe Koo after the Panthers field goal and were set to attempt an onside kick with four seconds left.
Robby Anderson recovered the attempt.
Slye FG: Panthers 23, Falcons 13
After a long, time consuming drive, the Panthers backed up a big interception from Juston Burris that prevented the Falcons from tying the game. Teddy Bridgewater tried a quarterback scramble on third and goal inside the Falcons 10. He was stopped at the 3 and Joey Slye made a 22-yard field goal with 74 seconds left that gave the Panthers a two-score lead and a strong chance at third straight win.
BIG TURNOVER: Carolina intercepts ball in the end zone
On third and five in the fourth quarter, Atlanta QB Matt Ryan targeted receiver Russell Gage. But Panthers defensive back Juston Burris turned around as the way was being thrown and intercepted it in the back of the end zone. The Panthers still lead 20-13 with 8:49 to play.
Koo FG: Panthers 20, Falcons 13
Younghoe Koo’s 31-yard field goal came after a big Carolina stop on third and eight at the Panthers 13. Atlanta QB Matt Ryan was pressured by the Panthers defensive line and threw the ball away. But the field goal brings the Falcons within one score. There are 14 minutes, 52 seconds to play.
END THIRD: Panthers 20, Falcons 10
The Panthers didn’t score in the third quarter, and only had one offensive possession. After a series of third down conversions, the Falcons will start the fourth quarter in the red zone.
Koo FG: Panthers 20, Falcons 10
Atlanta opened the second half with a scoring drive. Younghoe Koo kicked a 46-yard field goal with 12:20 remaining in the third quarter.
Panthers injury update: Brian Burns and Donte Jackson
Carolina will be without two of its top defensive players the rest of the game. Jackson has a toe injury and has been ruled out. Burns has a concussion and has been ruled out.
Halftime score: Panthers 20, Falcons 7
Here are two things going right for the Panthers and two things that have gone wrong ...
What’s going right after one half?
Pressure on quarterback: The Panthers have gotten pressure on Matt Ryan. Brian Burns has a couple of quarterback hurries. He also had a sack fumble, which should have been recovered by safety Juston Burris, but he couldn’t come up with it.
Defensive end Marquis Haynes also had a sack. Ryan is 11 of 17 for 82 yards.
Receivers making big catches: Along with Moore’s 57-yard touchdown, Anderson has also made some nice catches, including a one-handed 29-yard grab.
Wide receiver Curtis Samuel has also made some nice catches.
Anderson leads the Panthers with six receptions for 86 yards, Moore has three catches for 79 yards and Samuel has five catches for 36 yards. Teddy Bridgewater is 20 of 27 for 261 yards and two touchdowns.
What hasn’t gone right after one half?
Penalties: Particularly by the defense are causing drives to be extended. Penalties were an issue in the Panthers’ win over the Cardinals as well. They had 10 penalties last week.
That was something Matt Rhule said he wanted to improve. Fortunately for the Panthers, they have only committed two penalties. But neither should have happened.
Slowing down the run: It’s amazing the Falcons haven’t run the ball more, because the Panthers haven’t stopped them yet.
Falcons running back Todd Gurley has rushed for 58 yards on four carries. One was a 35-yard touchdown. The hole the Falcons offensive line created was so big, Gurley only had to avoid one defender, Tre Boston, who he made miss.
Brian Hill has three carries for 15 yards.
Mike Davis TD: Panthers 20, Falcons 7
With 23 seconds to go in the first half, Teddy Bridgewater play-faked to running back Mike Davis, who slipped to the right side uncovered and then caught a 3-yard touchdown pass. That’s 20 unanswered points by the Panthers, and 261 yards passing and two touchdowns for Bridgewater.
DJ Moore TD: Panthers 13, Falcons 7
Make that 13 unanswered points for Carolina. On third down, DJ Moore caught a short pass from Teddy Bridgewater along the left sideline and ran to the end zone for a 57-yard touchdown. Bridgewater has 191 passing yards with 2:40 remaining until halftime.
PANTHERS INJURY: BRIAN BURNS
One play after he strip-sacked Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, Carolina defender Brian Burns suffered was injured. He walked off the field on his own power, but went straight to the locker room. We’ll let you know when we know more. There’s 4:53 until halftime and the Panthers have the ball.
PANTHERS FG: FALCONS 7, PANTHERS 6
After another drive stalled, Panthers kicker Joey Slye made a 39-yard field goal to bring Carolina to within one point. After finishing drives with touchdowns a week ago at home against the Cardinals, the Panthers are struggling to find the end zone against Atlanta, as they did in California, when they kicked five field goals in a 21-16 win over the Chargers.
During the latest non-touchdown drive, Robby Anderson had a pretty one-handed catch for a 30-yard gain off a pass from Teddy Bridgewater. That play got the drive going and got the Panthers into Atlanta territory.
END FIRST QUARTER: FALCONS 7, PANTHERS 3
After the first quarter, the Panthers trail 7-3. Teddy Bridgewater has completed 8-of-12 passes for 79 yards. Todd Gurley has rushed four times for 58 yards for Atlanta and QB Matt Ryan is 6-of-9 for 33 yards.
FALCONS INJURY: DEFENSIVE END QUESTIONABLE
Atlanta defensive end Takk McKinley (groin) is questionable to return to the game.
PANTHERS FG: FALCONS 7, PANTHERS 3
After a third and short pass from Teddy Bridgewater to Robby Anderson was broken up by Atlanta defensive back Kendall Sheffield, the Panthers settled for a 38-yard field goal from Joey Slye. He is 8-of-10 on field goals this season. Atlanta leads 7-3 with 57 seconds left in the first quarter.
PANTHERS INJURY: JACKSON QUESTIONABLE
Panthers DB Donte Jackson, who tried to make a diving tackle attempt on Todd Gurley’s 35-yard touchdown run, is listed as questionable to return to the game. He has a toe injury.
GURLEY TD: FALCONS 7, PANTHERS 0
Running back Todd Gurley ran over the left side of the Falcons’ line and broke a tackle attempt from Panthers defensive back Donte Jackson en route to a 35-yard scoring run on third down and 3. Atlanta is up 7-0 with eight minutes left in the first quarter. It was the first time this season the Panthers allowed an opponent to score on their opening drive.
Dome closed in the ATL
We’re underway in Atlanta. Due to rain in the area, like in Charlotte, the dome is closed at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. There is limited attendance. The Panthers received the opening kickoff.
Christian McCaffrey is still on IR
Carolina Panthers All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey is on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain. Sunday’s game against the Falcons will be the third he has missed. The Panthers will start Mike Davis in his place, with Trenton Cannon being the other active running back.
Panthers and Falcons inactive players
The most notable player missing today’s game with Atlanta wide receiver Julio Jones, who has a hamstring injury. The only Panthers player who is inactive because of injury is cornerback Eli Apple. Here is a full list of inactive players in today’s game.
Atlanta vs Carolina uniform combination
The Panthers are wearing white tops with white pants and blue socks. The Falcons are wearing black on black.
This story was originally published October 11, 2020 at 12:11 PM.