Panthers vs. Falcons instant analysis: Carolina runs out of late-game magic

Instant analysis from the Carolina Panthers’ 20-13 loss at Atlanta.

▪  The Panthers and Cam Newton ran out of late-game magic.

Newton had directed four-game winning drives during the Panthers’ magical season. So when Carolina took over at their 20 trailing by four points with 2:23 remaining, you couldn’t help but think Newton was going to pull out another one in his Atlanta hometown.

But that drive stalled at the Panthers’ 37 after three consecutive incompletions by Newton, who got another crack at a game-winning drive when the Falcons somehow managed to burn only 18 seconds before a 54-yard field goal by Shayne Graham.

But when Vic Beasley Jr. stripped Newton and Adrian Clayborn recovered, the Panthers’ perfect run was ended.

The Panthers (14-1) won’t join the 1972 Dolphins and 2007 Patriots as the only teams in NFL history to finish the regular season undefeated. And depending on the result of the Arizona-Green Bay game later Sunday, the Panthers might need to beat Tampa Bay to ensure the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.

▪  Josh Norman was humbled a bit.

Julio Jones got the better of the Panthers’ Pro Bowl corner on Sunday, catching five passes for 80 yards when Norman was covering him.

Jones wasn’t just a Norman problem. Jones pulled down catches covering 19, 25, 70 and 30 yards against a Panthers’ secondary that has given up too many big plays in recent weeks.

On his 70-yard score that was the play of the game, Jones went up and plucked the ball away from linebacker Luke Kuechly after safety Kurt Coleman fell down.

▪  Panthers’ defense couldn’t get off the field.

The Falcons converted 9 of 15 third downs, a figure that does not include Charles Tillman’s unnecessary roughness penalty against Roddy White on the first series. If Tillman doesn’t get flagged, the Falcons go 3-and-out.

Instead, they marched 80 yards for a touchdown drive -- converting four third downs in the process -- to set the tone.

This story was originally published December 27, 2015 at 4:19 PM with the headline "Panthers vs. Falcons instant analysis: Carolina runs out of late-game magic."