FINAL: Desmond Ridder's Late Interception Costs Atlanta Falcons 9-7 Defeat vs. Carolina Panthers
It is gameday in Charlotte as the Atlanta Falcons (6-7) travel to Bank of America Stadium to face the Carolina Panthers (1-12) in a NFC South matchup.
It is a rematch from the season-opener, where the Falcons picked up the Week 1 win over the Panthers in a game where Atlanta needed two fourth-quarter touchdowns to pull off the 24-10 win. While these two division rivals have already acquainted themselves with one another this season, things have changed since the last time they met.
For starters, the Panthers will have a new face leading them on the sidelines after firing former coach Frank Reich following a 1-10 start to the season. Reich's firing not only meant the Panthers had a new coach in charge of managing the game but also a new offensive play-caller.
Sep 10, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) runs against the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
"They’re running the ball really well. The offensive line is playing together as a group really well. Those two backs, Hubbard and Sanders, man, they’re running well, ..." Falcons defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen said of the changes in the Panthers' offense. "They’re going to try to run as much as they possibly can. That’s probably the biggest change is they’ve stayed with it. They have consistently run it, and in the run game, they’re playing really well right now.”
As for the Falcons, this isn't the same team that was riding high after opening the season 2-0 for the first time since 2017. Instead, the Falcons are playing with their backs against the wall, as last week's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers saw them drop to second in the division. Thus making their path to their first playoff appearance since 2017 more difficult.
However, with a win over the Panthers and a Buccaneers loss to the Green Bay Packers, the Falcons can put themselves back atop the NFC South.
WHAT: Atlanta Falcons (6-7, 2-4 Road) at Carolina Panthers (1-12, 1-4 Home)
WHERE: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC (73,778)
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, 1 p.m. ET
TELEVISION: FOX / FuboTV (try it free)
RADIO: WZGC-FM 92.9 The Game
Get your tickets at SI Tickets
Betting via SI SportsBook
SPREAD: Falcons -3.5
TOTAL: 33.5
MONEYLINE: Falcons -161, Panthers +135
First Quarter
A 10-play opening drive for the Falcons saw it end empty-handed as they went for it on fourth-and-three and couldn't convert as a Bijan Robinson saw them lose two yards.
Change of Possession
The Panthers picked up an early first-down on a 22-yard run on the opening play before also suffering a turnover on downs.
Change of Possession
The Falcons went three-and-out and were lucky to have punted as Ridder's third-down pass was almost intercepted.
Change of Possession
The Falcons defense force a three-and-out.
Change of Possession
The Falcons went six plays before a punt as Ridder couldn't find his target on third-and-nine.
Change of Possession
The Panthers suffered another three-and-out as Young's only completion went for no gain after a first-down run went for a loss of four yards.
Second Quarter
The Falcons go three-and-out following a first down fumble by Ridder, which Atlanta recovered.
Change of Possession
The Panthers also punted after just three plays as a false start helped negate a six-yard on a Young completion on second down.
Change of Possession
The Falcons picked up an early first-down as Ridder found Hodge for a 10-yard gain. Yet, the Falcons couldn't do anything with the new set of downs.
Change of Possession
The Panthers have another three-and-out as Young's third-down pass picked up just five of the six yards needed.
Change of Possession
The Falcons opened the drive with a big 56-yard pass to Jonnu Smith, setting Atlanta up at the Carolina seven-yard line. From there, Robinson picked up five yards before Cordarrelle Patterson found the endzone with a two-yard touchdown reception.
TOUCHDOWN FALCONS
Falcons 7, Panthers 0
Change of Possession
The Panthers managed to trim the deficit to four points as their long 12-play drive ended with Zach Harrison's sack on third down, forcing them to settle for a 34-yard field goal.
FIELD GOAL PANTHERS
Falcons 7, Panthers 3
Change of Possession
The Falcons took a knee to send the game to halftime.
Third Quarter
The Panthers turn it over on downs as Young's pass to Thielen on fourth-and-seven was ruled a yard short of the line to gain after video review.
Change of Possession
The Falcons were forced to punt again, even after Ridder found Pitts for a big gain of 24 yards. Another fumble on a snap exchange between Ridder and Ryan Neuzil on first down helped the Panthers' defense get off the field.
Change of Possession
The Panthers drive started with a pair of explosive runs from Hubbard, picking up 18 and 11 yards. But even after a defensive pass interference penalty and a 26-yard completion from Young, the Falcons were able to force a punt.
Change of Possession
The first turnover for the Falcons came on a Robinson one-yard run, which saw the Panthers get their offense set up deep inside Atlanta territory.
Change of Possession
Fourth Quarter
The Falcons defense bent but didn't break despite being put in a bad situation due to the fumble. The Panthers managed a 25-yard field goal to trim the deficit as Young's pass to Thielen fell incomplete on third-down. The Panthers managed just 17 yards in six plays before settling for a field goal.
FIELD GOAL PANTHERS
Falcons 7, Panthers 6
Change of Possession
A promising 11-play drive for the Falcons reached the Panthers' 18-yard line before an errant throw from Ridder was intercepted by Carolina safety Xavier Woods.
Change of Possession
The Panthers drive 90 yards in 17 plays as Young leads a game-winning setting up a 23-yard field goal to knock off the Falcons.
FIELD GOAL PANTHERS
Panthers 9, Falcons 7
Change of Possession
