Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons Match Player Stats On Dec 27, 2015

The Sports Xchange
Dec 27, 2015

ATLANTA -- With one mighty leap, Julio Jones ended the Carolina Panthers' perfect season.

Atlanta's superstar receiver jumped over two Carolina defenders and snagged a 70-yard pass from quarterback Matt Ryan for the go-ahead score in the Falcons' 20-13 win over the Panthers on Sunday at the Georgia Dome.

The Falcons handed the Panthers their first loss and, for now, kept them from clinching home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs. Atlanta also kept its own playoff hopes alive, although a win by either the Seattle Seahawks or Minnesota Vikings later in the day would eliminate the Falcons from postseason contention.

Carolina quarterback Cam Newton had two chances to lead comeback drives late in the fourth quarter but couldn't get the Panthers in the end zone. On Carolina's final possession, Falcons rookie linebacker Vic Beasley stripped Newton and defensive end Malliciah Goodman recovered the fumble to seal the win.

One week after battling New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., both physically and verbally, Carolina All-Pro corner Josh Norman struggled to keep up with Jones. But Norman wasn't matched up on Jones in the biggest play of the game.

Ryan scrambled to his left and heaved a deep ball to Jones, who was covered by corner Charles Tillman and linebacker Luke Kuechly. Neither could climb with Jones, who leaped up, made the catch and strolled into the end zone for the winning touchdown.

Jones finished with 178 yards on nine receptions and broke his own Falcons record for receiving yards in a season.

Ryan completed 23 of 30 passes for 306 yards. His touchdown pass to Jones was the 200th of his career.

Leading 14-10, the Falcons were driving inside Panthers' territory, before Ryan mishandled a shotgun snap that was recovered by Norman and returned to the Falcons' 36-yard line. Carolina had to settle for a 47-yard field goal from Graham Gano, though, cutting the Atlanta lead to 14-13 with 7:59 to play.

Ryan redeemed himself on the following drive, marching the Falcons back down the field and setting up a 36-yard field goal by Shayne Graham that put the Falcons up 17-13 with 2:23 to play. Graham tacked on a 54-yard field goal with 1:30 to play.

Both teams mounted long scoring drives on their opening possessions. Newton capped an 11-play, 80-yard drive with an eight-yard touchdown run and then celebrated with fans in the stands and danced with teammates. It would be Newton's last end-zone dance of the day.

The Panthers, who averaged 38.8 points in their last five games, were held to a season-low 13 points.

Atlanta answered on its ensuing drive, with running back Devonta Freeman tying the score on a 4-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter. Freeman finished with 73 yards rushing.

The Panthers will look to secure home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs next week at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Falcons finish up at home against the New Orleans Saints.

NOTES: Carolina RB Fozzy Whittaker suffered a right ankle injury in the fourth quarter and did not return. ... Ten Carolina Panthers were selected to the Pro Bowl: QB Cam Newton, RB Jonathan Stewart, FB Mike Tolbert, OG Trai Turner, C Ryan Kalil, TE Greg Olsen, LBs Jamie Collins and Luke Kuechly and CB Josh Norman. ... Two Falcons -- RB DeVonta Freeman and WR Julio Jones -- were selected. ... Newton played his high school football at Westlake High School, located approximately 15 miles from the Georgia Dome. ... Carolina WR Ted Ginn Jr. suffered a knee injury in the first half and left the game. ... Atlanta wide receiver and special teams standout Eric Weems was taken to the locker room in the second quarter to be evaluated for a concussion. He did not return. ... Atlanta LB Paul Soliai suffered a calf injury early in the first quarter and did not return. ... Tickets distributed were 70,981.