2024-10-14 16:45:03
SECOND QUARTER
The Panthers’ drive that began in the first quarter ended in a three-and-out, but the Falcons’ offense mustered just six plays before turning the ball over. Cousins completed an 8-yard pass to wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III, who fumbled the ball while reaching forward for a first down. Panthers linebacker Trevin Wallace recovered it.
At first, McCloud was ruled down after his catch and appeared to have control of the ball until he hit the turf. The Panthers challenged the play, though. And upon further review, the call was reversed to a fumble.
Carolina used the turnover to retake the lead. Kicker Eddy Pineiro made a 24-yard field goal after an eight-play, 36-yard drive stalled out at the Atlanta 5-yard line. An incomplete pass on third-and-5, forced by good pressure from the Falcons’ pass rushers, brought up the fourth down.
The Panthers’ lead didn’t last long. Robinson scored on a 7-yard run on the next drive, which lasted five plays for 76 yards. Tight end Kyle Pitts’ 52-yard reception covered the majority of the distance. Panthers cornerback Chau Smith-Wade was penalized for a low block on the scoring play, and the Falcons chose to use that penalty to move to the 1-yard line for a 2-point conversion.. Allgeier pushed through to the end zone, validating the decision.
Carolina punted on its ensuing drive. Falcons defensive lineman Zach Harrison got a hand on the punt, and cornerback Clark Phillips III returned it 15 yards to the Panthers’ 37-yard line. There was an offensive holding penalty on the play that gave Atlanta another 10 yards, so the Falcons’ offense had prime starting position when it came out.
The Falcons covered the remaining 27 yards quickly, too. On the fifth play of the drive, Cousins completed a 3-yard pass to wide receiver Drake London in the end zone to pad their lead with less than two minutes until halftime.
That’s all the Panthers needed to score. They strung together an eight-play, 76-yard drive to tighten the score right before the midway mark. Dalton completed a 7-yard pass to wide receiver Xavier Legette.
The Falcons held a five-point lead when they headed to the locker room.
Panthers: Eddy Pineiro 24-yard field goal … 10-7, CAR
Falcons: Bijan Robinson 7-yard run; 2-point run … 15-10, ATL
Falcons: Kirk Cousins 3-yard pass to Drake London; PAT good … 22-10, ATL
Panthers: Andy Dalton 7-yard pass to Xavier Legette; PAT good … 22-17, ATL
HALFTIME: Falcons 22, Panthers 17
