SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – Few teams have needed a win more than the Atlanta Falcons did on Sunday. They were coming off four-straight losses, the most recent being a heartbreaker in overtime overseas. However, they had Carolina on tap, the same team Atlanta lost 30-0 to a couple of months ago.
But that same Panthers team just lost to a measly Saints team a week ago. So, especially with how unpredictable the league has been this season, there was no telling how this matchup was going to shake out.
The Panthers, though, wasted no time in getting the scoring started. Bryce Young fired a bullet to Tetairoa McMillan, and it was 7-0 Carolina midway through the first quarter.
But the Falcons had the immediate response. Bijan Robinson took on three defenders inside the 5, and of course, Bijan broke through and tied it up.
From there, the Falcons began to take control. Bijan got his second score of the day, while Tyler Allgeier tacked on another touchdown, and it was 21-10 Atlanta at the half.
But the Panthers got straight to work in the 3rd quarter. Young passed it deep to Xavier Legette in the end zone for 36 yards and 6 points.
With just over a minute left in the game, Young found the 8th overall draft pick alone in the end zone, giving McMillan is second touchdown of the day, and Carolina led by three, 27-24.
And with all the kicking problems Atlanta has dealt with this year, it came down to a 45-yard attempt from Zane Gonzalez. The kick was good, sending the game to overtime.
But in overtime, the Falcons got the ball first and had to punt it away, while Ryan Fitzgerald and the Panthers walked it off. Carolina won 30-27, and it’s their first season sweep of Atlanta in twelve years.
“The character of this group just continues to fight, continues to play, and what we’re waiting for is for these guys to take the wheel and to say ‘this is our team coach, we got it.’ And I had a bunch of guys coming out of the locker room today saying we got this, we got this. And they’re just reaffirming,” said Panthers head coach Dave Canales. “And even though the Falcons had a great first half, and they made some plays in the second half, too — obviously to send it into overtime — this was a group that wasn’t going to quit, and our guys just continued to step up and say this is our team, let’s go make this thing happen.”
“You have to find a way to win that game,” said Falcons head coach Raheem Morris. “You have some winnable moments there, whether it be the 4th down and 4. You have the opportunity to get the run there…the last play to Drake. A couple different opportunities to find a way to go win those football games, and we keep putting ourselves in position and we keep coming up short and that has to stop. We’ve lost a bunch of games in a row in tight moments, and you have to find a way to win those games. It definitely is on me. There’s no such things as a losing team, only a losing leader, and I’m the leader and we lost.”
Chargers 6, Jaguars 35
After two on the road, the Jaguars were back home on Sunday in Duval County, and they gave the home crowd a show.
At the end of the 1st quarter, Bhayshul Tuten busted into the end zone, and the rookie gave the Jags the lead, 7-3.
With Jacksonville up one a few minutes before halftime, Travis Etienne Jr. took the direct snap, kept his legs moving, and fell in for 6. That made it 14-6.
Trevor Lawrence was feeling a little left out apparently, so he went and got himself a rushing touchdown, too, midway through the 3rd quarter.
The Jaguars offense kept adding on, while the defense held LA to just 6 points. There was also a little history made, as defensive end Josh Hines-Allen broke the franchise sacks record, notching sack number 56 of his 7-year career.
Other Scores:
Commanders 13, Dolphins 16 (OT)
Buccaneers 32, Bills 44
Texans 16, Titans 13
Bears 19, Vikings 17
Packers 27, Giants 20
Bengals 12, Steelers 34
Seahawks 19, Rams 21
49ers 41, Cardinals 22
Ravens 23, Browns 16
Chiefs 19, Broncos 22
Jets 14, Patriots 27
Lions at Eagles (8:20 p.m. on Sunday)
Cowboys at Raiders (8:15 p.m. on Monday)
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