Panthers-Falcons live updates: Turnovers, inconsistent offense doom Panthers in loss
LIVE UPDATES HAVE CONCLUDED. INSTANT ANALYSIS FROM THE GAME, HERE.
When Cam Newton walked onto the field this afternoon to take the Carolina Panthers’ first offensive snap against the Atlanta Falcons, he had a new coordinator in his ear calling the play.
The Panthers fired offensive coordinator Joe Brady a week ago today, replacing him in the interim with running backs coach Jeff Nixon, a longtime friend and assistant to head coach Matt Rhule.
The Panthers have had one of the NFL’s worst offenses this season. They’ve scored fewer points in the third quarter (18) than any team in the NFL and have one of the worst offensive lines. Replacing Brady with Nixon won’t fix their lack of depth on a banged-up line, but it could lead the Panthers to rely less on the pass and run the ball the way Rhule likes.
The game kicked off at 1 p.m.
The Observer has six journalists at today’s Falcons vs. Panthers game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, including beat reporters Jonathan M. Alexander and Ellis L. Williams and columnist Scott Fowler. Follow along here for live updates before and during the game (refresh the page for the latest) and stick with CharlotteObserver.com after the game for expanded coverage.
What’s the Panthers vs Falcons score right now?
Falcons run out the clock
A few first downs, and after the Panthes exhaust all their timeouts, the Falcons run their record to 6-7, while sending the Panthers to another loss. They now sit at 5-8.
PJ Walker throws TD to Robbie Anderson
I guess Robbie Anderson was OK. Earlier in the quarter, he was rocked after deflecting a bad pass away from a defender and made a quick stop in the blue medical tent. On this drive, which started at midfield after an Atlanta fumble, Walker found Anderson in the back of the end zone for a score to keep the Panthers’ hopes alive.
Panthers ‘D’ forces a fumble
The Falcons had a chance to bleed the clock dry near midfield with less than 5 minutes to play, but coughed up the ball as the Panthers defense finally forced a turnover of their own. PJ Walker led the team out to a midfield starting position.
Walker replaces Newton again
PJ Walker fumbled the snap, and then was pounded on the next play as the Panthers offense continues to sputter. This, after the Falcons once again added to their lead with a field goal. Falcons 29, Panthers 14.
Panthers offense sputters again
Faced with a two-score deficit, the Panthers found themselves in four-down territory from midfield early in the fourth quarter, and while they picked up the first one, Cam Newton dropped back, slipped and was sacked on the second try on a fourth down, turning the ball back over to Atlanta at midfield, with Carolina trailing by 12.
Falcons run roughshod, then pass for TD
Playing perhaps a bit conservatively with the lead, the Falcons stuck with the run game. Problem for the Panthers was, they couldn’t stop it. A run-heavy set of plays from midfield drove the Falcons inside the Carolina 5, and then a simple pass into the right flat resulted in an Atlanta TD. All of the Panthers D was thinking run on the play. On the two-point conversion, Matt Ryan was nearly sacked, and it was unsuccessful. Falcons 26, Panthers 14.
Cam Newton fumbles on attempted handoff
The Panthers were moving the ball again after forcing the Falcons FG, and Newton to tripped over his center’s feet. Instead of falling on the ball, he still tried to make the handoff to Chuba Hubbard in the backfield, and the ball caught the running back on the elbow and fell to the turf. Atlanta recovered and took over at about midfield.
Big hold for Panthers; Atlanta kicks FG
It appeared as though the Panthers would force the Falcons into a punting situation, but a near-pick turned into a roughing-the-passer call which moved the Falcons into FG range. After three plays and no more success (and a near-sack), the Falcons had to again settle for a FG in the red zone. It was, however, a scoring play for Atlanta. Falcons 20, Panthers 14.
Chuba Hubbard scores: Falcons 17, Panthers 13
A handful of Cam Newton keeper runs sets up a wide open lane for Chuba Hubbard, who races 13 yards through the line and into the end zone to pull the Falcons within three points. Key on that drive: Atlanta sent the opening kickoff out of bounds, allowing Carolina to start at the 40. The whole drive was eight plays long. Falcons 17, Panthers 14.
Cam Newton returns at QB for 2nd half
After sitting out the final drive of the first half in what looked like a scehem change for the Panthers (that resulted in a PJ Walker INT), Cam Newton is back at the helm for the Panthers to start the second half.
New QB, another INT for Panthers
PJ Walker lofted a pass to the right side, and it floated high and into the waiting hands of ... AJ Terrell of thr Falcons. Ostensibly intended for Robbie Anderson, the pass was essentially a jump ball and Terrell came down with it. The Falcons took over at their own 45.
Cam Newton out, P.J. Walker in
After a hit on the last drive, and perhaps for a change of pace, the Panthers have inserted P.J. Walker into the game at QB in place of Cam Newton. Newton is on the sideline and not receiving medical attention, and his helmet is still on.
Update: Panthers say it is not injury related, but they made the switch based on the offensive package.
Panthers defensive stand; Falcons FG
After a drive that seemed to be going in all the wrong directions for the Panthers defense, they held firm in the red zone and forced the Falcons to settled for a field goal attempt, which was successful. Atlanta stretches the lead to two scores, 10 points. Falcons 17, Panthers 7.
Newton intercepted for a TD
Mykal Walker stepped in front of a Cam Newton pass after dropping back and out from a disguised coverage and he runs it all the way back for a TD. It was Walker’s first INT, and fist TD for the Falcons. Falcons 14, Panthers 7.
Second quarter begins
The Falcons’ third drive spanned the end of the first quarter and start of the second, but yielded no better result than their opening drive. They did, however, launch a punt that got a favorable bounce and roll to inside the 5, where the Panthers took over for their third try with the ball. Score remains tied, 7-7.
Panthers’ first failed drive
Both teams have now stalled on an offensive possession and executed a punt. The Panthers, however, avoided a costly penalty after the punt was fielded at the 11 by Atlanta. Falcons take over at their own 11.
Patterson, Atlanta answer: Panthers 7, Falcons 7
The Falcons answer with points, and do so while converting a few key plays on third and fourth downs. Not lost here wee two near interceptions, one a poor throw from Ryan and the other a deflected ball. Both went off the hands of Panthers DBs. As for the scoring, Cordarrelle Patterson ran off tackle to the left side and went into the end zone essentially untouched. With the extra point, the game is tied. Panthers 7, Falcons 7.
Newton rushing TD: Panthers 7, Falcons 0
A well scripted first drive from Jeff Nixon, and well executed by Cam Newton and company as the Panthers march down the firls and put points on the board first in this one. Chuba Hubbard and DJ Moore starred on that drive, and Newton punctuated it with a touchdown on a 12-yard sweep left. Perfect through the air (3-for-3) and a rush TD to cap the drive. Panthers 7, Falcons 0
Early stop
The Panthers force the Falcons on a quick 3-and-out after Atlanta comes up a few inches short of a first down on their first possession from the 25. The Falcons challenge the play, a nice catch by TE Kyle Pitts. Ruling of being short of the line stands, and Atlanta is out a timeout.
Coin toss
The Panthers won the toss and elected to defer until the second half. Atlanta will receive the opening kickoff and move from left to right across your screen.
Uniform update
The Panthers are wearing black tops with black pants. The Falcons are wearing white tops with black pants.
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Inactives for Panthers-Falcons
FALCONS: QB Josh Rosen, S Richie Grant, OL Josh Andrews, OLB Ade Ogundeji, DL Tyeler Davison, DL Jonathan Bullard.
PANTHERS: WR Shi Smith, LG Michael Jordan, RG John Miller, QB Matt Barkley, S Kenny Robinson, DE Darryl Johnson, LB Frankie Luvu.
Weather forecast for Panthers-Falcons
There’s not a cloud in the sky at the moment around uptown Charlotte. It’s currently 48 degrees and sunny and the temperature is expected to reach 52 degrees come kickoff.
Christian McCaffrey is not playing today
Carolina Panthers star running back Christian McCaffrey was placed on the season-ending injured reserve list after he hurt his ankle in Week 12 against the Miami Dolphins.
Is Cam Newton starting today?
Cam Newton will make his third start of the season today for the Carolina Panthers, trying to correct his 0-2 record. (Which he made clear Thursday he’s aware of.)
Newton’s last start — two weeks ago at Miami — was one of the worst of his career. He completed five passes with two interceptions and had a passer rating of 5.8 in the Panthers’ 33-10 loss.
What radio station is the Panthers game on?
Here is a list of Panthers Radio Network affiliates to listen to the Panthers vs. Falcons Week 14 NFL game.
| City | State | Station | Frequency |
| Abemarle | NC | WSPC-AM | 1010 |
| Asheville | NC | WWNC-AM | 570 |
| Bedford | VA | WLVA-FM | 94.1 |
| Blacksburg | VA | WPIN-AM | 810 |
| Burlington | NC | WKRR-FM | 92.3 |
| Camden | SC | WPUB-FM | 102.7 |
| Charleston | SC | WYBB-FM | 98.1 |
| Charlotte | NC | WBT-AM | 1110 |
| Charlotte | NC | WBT-FM | 99.3 |
| Cherrwille | NC | WCSL-AM | 1590 |
| Chesterfield | SC | WVSZ-FM | 107.3 |
| Columbia | SC | WMFX-FM | 102.3 |
| Concord | NC | WEGO-AM | 1410 |
| Concord | NC | WEGO-FM | 98.3 |
| Elkin | NC | WIFM-FM | 100.9 |
| Fairmont | NC | WSTS-FM | 100.9 |
| Fayetteville | NC | WFNC-AM | 640 |
| Florence | SC | WWFN-FM | 100.1 |
| Greensboro | NC | WKRR-FM | 92.3 |
| Greenville | NC | WTIB-FM | 103.7 |
| Greenville | SC | WROQ-FM | 101.1 |
| Hamlet | NC | WKDX-AM | 1250 |
| Henderson | NC | WIZS-AM | 1450 |
| HendersonviIle | NC | WHKP-AM | 1450 |
| HendersonviIle | NC | WHKP-FM | 107.7 |
| Hopewell | VA | WHAP-AM | 1340 |
| Jacksonville | NC | WJNC-AM | 1240 |
| Kinston | NC | WRNS-AM | 960 |
| Lincolnton | NC | WLON-AM | 1050 |
| Lynchburg | VA | WLVA-AM | 580 |
| Lynchburg | VA | WLVA-FM | 94.1 |
| Lynchburg | VA | WPLI-AM | 1390 |
| Lynchburg | VA | WPLI-FM | 107.5 |
| Manning | SC | WYMB-AM | 920 |
| Morehead City | NC | WTKF-FM | 107.1 |
| Myrtle Beach | SC | WSEA-FM | 100.3 |
| Newton | NC | WNNC-AM | 1230 |
| Raleigh | NC | WCMC-FM | 99.9 |
| Richmond | VA | WURV-FM | 106.1 |
| Roanoke | VA | WPLY-AM | 610 |
| Roanoke | VA | WPLY-FM | 101.1 |
| Rock Hill | SC | WRHM-FM | 107.1 |
| Rocky Mount | NC | WZAX-FM | 99.3 |
| Salem | VA | WPLY-FM | 98.5 |
| Salisbury | NC | WSAT-AM | 1280 |
| Salisbury | NC | WSAT-FM | 103.3 |
| Shallotte | NC | WVCB-AM | 1410 |
| Shelby | NC | WOHS-AM | 1390 |
| Spartanburg | SC | WROQ-FM | 101.1 |
| Statesville | NC | WSIC-AM | 1400 |
| Statesville | NC | WSIC-FM | 100.7, 105.9 |
| Topsail Beach | NC | WNTB-FM | 93.7 |
| Wilmington | NC | WNTB-FM | 93.7 |
| Winston-Salem | NC | WKRR-FM | 92.3 |
What TV channel is the Panthers-Falcons game on?
Sunday’s 1 p.m. kickoff between the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte is being broadcast on FOX. If you’re watching in Charlotte, that means WJZY-Fox 46. The Panthers-Falcons NFL game can be streamed online with a subscription to YouTube TV or Hulu+ Live TV, so long as you are viewing from inside the broadcast footprint — a map of which can be found below via 506 Sports.
This story was originally published December 12, 2021 at 10:00 AM.
