RUNNING UPDATE:
1st Quarter:
RECAP: The Panthers started slow with their first three drives resulting in three-and-outs. Atlanta’s offense opens by using a strategy similar to that of the Houston Texans last week, using short passes underneath the coverage to move the chains.
BIG PLAY: Atlanta holder Michael Koenen botched a snap on a 35-yard field goal attempt and kicker Morten Andersen inexplicably kicked the loose ball into the line of scrimmage. That resulted in a penalty and the Panthers took over on downs.
BIG MISTAKE: After a 17-yard run, Falcons RB Warrick Dunn allowed Panthers SS Chris Harris to rip the football out of his hands at the Carolina 33. That was a big momentum turner.
COMMENT: OK, explain this play call to me. The Panthers open the game with two DeShaun Foster runs for 9 yards and then go to an empty backfield on third-and-a-foot. Jake Delhomme then fires incomplete… Panthers MLB Dan Morgan injured his shoulder while attempting to tackle Jerious Norwood late in the first quarter and left the game briefly. He did come back in the second quarter.
SCORE: Carolina 0, Atlanta 0
2nd Quarter:
RECAP: Carolina’s offense finally gets on track, picking up its initial first down of the game on a diving grab by Drew Carter for a 17-yard gain. That leads to a field goal. The Falcons and Panthers trade touchdowns and field goals and finish the half tied.
BIG PLAY: The Falcons bounce back after the Carolina score with WR Roddy White breaking a tackle by CB Ken Lucas and racing 69 yards for a touchdown. For Carolina, Foster makes a nice over-the-shoulder grab for a 13-yard touchdown.
BIG MISTAKE: The dropsies have apparently caught up with WR Steve Smith, who mishandles the first two pass thrown his way.
COMMENT: White is killing the Panthers with five catches for a career-high 112 yards through two quarters. The Panthers are making QB Joey Harrington look like a star. He has completed 19 of 25 passes for 262 yards with one score… Foster seems to love playing the Falcons. He has 54 total yards and a touchdown in the first half. Carolina must get Smith more involved in the offense, especially now that he’s angry. He has no catches in the first half.
SCORE: Carolina 10, Atlanta 10
RUNNING UPDATE:
3rd Quarter:
RECAP: What a bizarre third quarter as the emotions began to heat up and JQB ake Delhomme goes down with an elbow injury. The Panthers come out flat early and the Falcons drive 67 yards on five plays behind the running of Jerious Norwood and two catches by TE Alge Crumpler, including a 14-yard touchdown. But the Panthers come back and score with the help of CB DeAngelo Hall.
BIG PLAY: Foster charges up the middle for a 10-yard touchdown run, carrying an Atlanta defender on his back the final three yards. With Delhomme out and Steve Smith in the locker room briefly, he is taking over the game for the Panthers.
BIG MISTAKE: Hall was flagged three times for 67 yards on one drive, including twice for unsportsmanlike conduct for altercations involving Smith. Hall’s third penalty, which comes for jawing at Smith after the conclusion of the play, keeps Carolina’s drive alive and the Panthers score the go-ahead touchdown.
COMMENT: With Delhomme out with an elbow, injury, Foster is taking over this game, rushing for a 10-yard score to put Carolina ahead 24-17.
INJURY UPDATE: Delhomme (elbow) and Morgan (the trifecta -- shoulder, leg and ankle) both leave the game with injuries. David Carr takes over and keeps the drive alive and leads Carolina to the go-ahead touchdown, although its Foster who does most of the work.
SCORE: RUNNING UPDATE: Carolina 24, Atlanta 17
4th Quarter:
RECAP: The Panthers take a 10-point lead on a 49-yard field goal by John Kasay early in the fourth. The Falcons drive deep in Carolina territory but are limited to a field goal. Panthers use their ground game to run out the clock and earn an emotional win.
BIG PLAY: Take your pick of Foster’s big runs to burn the remaining time off the clock. Foster had 81 of his 122 rushing yards in the second half.
BIG MISTAKE: For the Falcons, wide receivers Laurent Robinson and Joe Horn both dropped potential touchdown passes in the end zone. And their defense couldn’t get off the field even though they knew the Panthers were going to keep it on the ground.
COMMENT: Well, it seems Hall might have won the battle, but Smith and the Panthers won the war. But don’t take too much out of this game Carolina fans because it comes against a Falcons team that is struggling at 0-3. Now the big question is just how beat up the Panthers are heading into next week’s big game with Tampa Bay (2-1). No word on Delhomme yet. He will have x-rays on the elbow on Monday. He said he hurt it on the sack and then felt a twinge on the pass to FB Brad Hoover. But it doesn't sound good right now.
FINAL SCORE: Carolina 27, Atlanta 17.