The Falcons have created a lot of concerns with their play in the first five weeks, so they could really use a win against the Panthers to quiet them.
They’ve made it to halftime with a 14-10 lead, but it hasn’t been easy. The Panthers were driving toward the end zone at the end of the first half when the Falcons defense came up with a big play to keep them off the scoreboard. A Cam Newton pass was deflected high into the air by William Moore, Brent Grimes was able to pick it off and the Falcons remained on top when the whistle blew. It is the 25th straight game with a takeaway for the Falcons defense and this one came at the end of a half that featured the defense in a giving mood.
The Panthers were able to convert 4-of-5 third downs during the half and scored on each of their drives before the one that ended with an interception. The Falcons defense has bent more than it has broken, but the Panthers were able to make a fair amount of plays to hold onto possession and keep drives moving.
The Falcons have done the same, with some help from the Panthers defense. Charles Godfrey and Chris Gamble each picked up costly pass interference penalties that set the Falcons up on the one-yard line before both of their touchdowns. Matt Ryan threw to Ovie Mughelli for one score and Michael Turner powered the ball into the end zone for the other touchdown to cap the kinds of long drives that have been the order of the day in the first half for both teams.
That’s made for a good pace and a tight game thus far. Should it continue, we’ll be in for a good ending in Atlanta.
