Panthers upset Falcons, 44-38, in overtime

D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Jan 5, 2025

Published in Football

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ATLANTA — Playing for the NFC South title and a possible playoff berth, the Falcons got into a shootout with the Carolina Panthers that went into overtime.

The Panthers, behind the play of quarterback Bryce Young, defeated the Falcons, 44-38, on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Falcons finished the regular-season 8-9. The Panthers improved to 5-12.

The NFC South division title went to the Buccaneers, who defeated the New Orleans Saints, 27-19, in Tampa, Fla.

With the win, the Bucs claimed their fourth consecutive NFC South title and head to the playoffs as the fourth seed. They’ll host either Detroit or Minnesota.

The Falcons needed a win and a Bucs loss to claim the division title and go to the playoffs. The Falcons owned the tiebreaker because they beat the Bucs twice this season.

The Falcons have not had a winning season since they were 11-5 in 2017. That was also the last time they went to the playoffs and lost to the Eagles in the divisional round.

The Panthers won the toss and Miles Sanders scored a yard run in overtime for the victory.

Young, who was benched earlier in the season, accounted for five touchdowns against the Falcons. The Panthers had scored 30 points in regulation just twice this season (36 vs. Raiders on Sept. 22; 30 vs. Cardinals on Dec. 22.)

The Falcons wasted outstanding performances for quarterback Michael Penix Jr., running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London.

Penix completed 21 of 38 passes for 312 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He finished with an 88.9 passer rating. Robinson rushed 28 times for 170 yards and two touchdowns. London caught 10 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns.

Young completed 25 of 34 passes for 270 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He finished with a passer rating of 123.5.

Behind a balanced attack, the Falcons held a 24-17 halftime lead.

Robinson provided 83 rushing yards and a touchdown, while London caught six passes for 107 yards and a touchdown. Penix also added a rushing touchdown on a 5-yard run.

The game opened with both teams making field goals on their first possessions.

The Falcons were stopped on fourth down on their next possession. The Panthers scored on a 2-yard touchdown run by Young to take a 10-3 lead.

The Falcons answered with a 10-play, 70-yard drive that was capped by Penix’s TD to tie it, 10-10.

The Panthers came back with a 33-yard touchdown pass from Young to Miles Sanders, who scored with outside linebacker Matthew Judon giving chase to make it 17-10.

Robinson had a 3-yard touchdown run for the Falcons to tie it 17-10. The Falcons’ defense forced a stop and got the offense the ball back with 40 seconds left in the half.

Penix connected with Ray-Ray McCloud for a 42-yard gain and then tossed a 20-yard touchdown pass to London with :03 left in the half.

The Panthers had the ball to start the second half and were forced to punt.

Penix, under duress, threw a low pass to McCloud that he tipped up in the air. The ball was intercepted by Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson.

The Panthers converted the turnover into a 12-yard touchdown pass from Young to tight end Tommy Tremble who was wide open. The Falcons were clearly playing run on fourth down-and-1 and got burned.

The Falcons next drive stalled and kicker Riley Patterson missed a 52-yard field goal attempt, wide right.

The Panthers went on the move and reached the Falcons red zone. Young tossed a 9-yard touchdown pass to David Moore, who got inside of cornerback Clark Phillips III to make it 31-24 with 1:02 left in the third quarter.

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