Panthers Accept Ridder's Early Christmas Gift, Defeat Falcons as Time Expires
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - A one-win Carolina Panthers team hosting a game in wet, cold, windy conditions stirred up the perfect recipe for an empty Bank of America Stadium and that's exactly what we saw Sunday afternoon. However, the few fans they did come out witnessed the Panthers' pick up a 9-7 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Little action took place in the first 20 minutes of the game as both offenses failed to get much of anything going, trading punts every few minutes.
Desmond Ridder opened the lid on the scoring by connecting on a 56-yard pass to Jonnu Smith who slipped free up the seam. That play set up first and goal and two plays later, Cordarrelle Patterson turned the corner off a touch pass in motion for the game's first points.
Bryce Young completed 4-of-5 pass attempts for 53 yards on the final drive of the half which led to three points on a 34-yarder by Eddy Pineiro. That kick moved him past Joey Slye for third in Panthers' franchise history for field goals made (55).
Late in the third quarter, Troy Hill forced a Bijan Robinson fumble which was recovered by Brian Burns. The Panthers knocked on the door but couldn't punch it in and once again, had to settle for three from Pineiro.
The Falcons were on the verge of putting the game away midway through the fourth quarter but Desmond Ridder made the boneheaded decision of forcing in a throw when he could have just went out of bounds. The ball was thrown right to safety Xavier Woods for the interception, giving the Panthers life.
Bryce Young gladly accepted Ridders' early Christmas gift and drove the Panthers down the field completing 5/5 passes for 69 yards - a drive that began at their own five. Eddy Pieniro booted through the game-winning field goal as time expired.
Next Up: Panthers vs. Packers, December 24th at 1 p.m. EST
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