Panthers Hang On Against Falcons

The Carolina Panthers would get off to a slow start without Kelvin Benjamin because of him being traded to the Buffalo Bills, but they would establish rhythm as the game moved on against the Atlanta Falcons. Carolina would survive a fourth quarter really against Atlanta by winning the game 20-17.

With the Falcons leading 3-0 in the first quarter, Mohamed Sanu caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Matt Ryan. Sanu caught three passes for 23 yards receiving and a touchdown.

In the second quarter, Christian McCaffrey scored on a 4-yard touchdown run and Cam Newton scored on a 9-yard touchdown run for the Carolina Panthers. McCaffrey rushed for 66 yards on 15 carries and scored a touchdown. He also caught five passes for 28 yards receiving.

Newton completed 13-of-24 passes for 137 yards. He rushed for 86 yards on nine carries and a touchdown.

With the Falcons trailing 20-10 in the fourth, Matt Ryan threw a pass on fourth down intended for Julio Jones and Jones dropped a wide open pass and it would have been a 39-yard touchdown reception. Jones finished with six receptions for 118 yards receiving.

Later in the fourth, Ryan threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Tevin Coleman. That was Coleman's only reception on the day and he was quiet on the ground with five rushing yards on five attempts. Ryan completed 24-of-38 passes for 313 yards two touchdowns and an interception.

With 1:48 remaining on a fourth-and-13 play, Ryan threw an incomplete pass intended for Taylor Gabriel and the Panthers got away with some shoving. The Atlanta Falcons will host the Dallas Cowboys (4-3) next Sunday and the Carolina Panthers will host the Miami Dolphins (4-3) next Monday Night.