Recap: Falcons 31, Panthers 23
SportsDirect Inc. staff
Dec 11, 2011
Matt Ryan and Julio Jones hooked up for two fourth-quarter touchdown passes to cap a remarkable comeback from a 16-point halftime deficit and the Atlanta Falcons rallied for a 31-23 road win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.
The Panthers (4-9) took a 23-7 halftime lead thanks to a pair of long plays. DeAngelo Williams found a seam around the right side for a 74-yard touchdown – the longest scoring run in franchise history – and Greg Olsen took a screen pass from Cam Newton and weaved 44 yards for a score.
But the Falcons (8-5) scored 24 unanswered points, as Ryan threw three of his four touchdown passes in the second half.
Ryan has won four straight and five of six starts against Carolina, and has topped a 100 passer rating in the past three meetings. The Falcons improved to 21-0 when Ryan has a rating over 100.
Olindo Mare missed a 36-yard field goal attempt that would have given the Panthers the lead, and Ryan hit Jones for a 75-yard touchdown two plays later.
After a nearly flawless first half, Newton threw two interceptions in the second half.
Two prolific receivers reached career milestones. Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez passed Andre Reed to move into 11th all-time in receiving yards, and Carolina's Steve Smith became the 35th player in NFL history to surpass 10,000 receiving yards.
Dec 11, 2011
Matt Ryan and Julio Jones hooked up for two fourth-quarter touchdown passes to cap a remarkable comeback from a 16-point halftime deficit and the Atlanta Falcons rallied for a 31-23 road win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.
The Panthers (4-9) took a 23-7 halftime lead thanks to a pair of long plays. DeAngelo Williams found a seam around the right side for a 74-yard touchdown – the longest scoring run in franchise history – and Greg Olsen took a screen pass from Cam Newton and weaved 44 yards for a score.
But the Falcons (8-5) scored 24 unanswered points, as Ryan threw three of his four touchdown passes in the second half.
Ryan has won four straight and five of six starts against Carolina, and has topped a 100 passer rating in the past three meetings. The Falcons improved to 21-0 when Ryan has a rating over 100.
Olindo Mare missed a 36-yard field goal attempt that would have given the Panthers the lead, and Ryan hit Jones for a 75-yard touchdown two plays later.
After a nearly flawless first half, Newton threw two interceptions in the second half.
Two prolific receivers reached career milestones. Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez passed Andre Reed to move into 11th all-time in receiving yards, and Carolina's Steve Smith became the 35th player in NFL history to surpass 10,000 receiving yards.
