Panthers vs Falcons Week 4: Highlights, score and recap

Dec 27, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) carries the ball after a catch pursued by Carolina Panthers free safety Kurt Coleman (20) in the third quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) carries the ball after a catch pursued by Carolina Panthers free safety Kurt Coleman (20) in the third quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Falcons host their NFC South division rival in the Carolina Panthers here in Week 4. Here are the highlights, a game recap, and the final score.

The Atlanta Falcons defeated the Carolina Panthers, 41-33 in their Week 4 meeting at the Georgia Dome. Atlanta moves to 3-1 on the year. Carolina falls to 1-3.

The Atlanta Falcons’ offense proved that it is the best in football with record-setting days from quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receiver Julio Jones in Atlanta’s 41-26 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

Ryan threw for 503 yards and four touchdowns, torching the Panthers secondary. Jones had 12 catches for 300 receiving yards and one 75-yard touchdown. Those were franchise single-game yardage records Ryan and Jones shattered.

Atlanta has work to do defensively, but apparently can lean on this offense in 2016. Carolina has struggled to run the football and it is rattling quarterback Cam Newton. He was largely ineffective on Sunday before leaving the game in the fourth quarter with a possible concussion.

Newton’s backup Derek Anderson came in and made it relatively close game in the fourth quarter. However, Atlanta’s offense was too gifted for the weak Panthers secondary in Week 4. Atlanta is in full control of the NFC South in the early part of the season. Carolina has to get it together to get back in the NFC Playoffs race.

Three Stars

1. Julio Jones: If you had Jones on your fantasy team, you didn’t need to play anybody else this week. He was simply unbelievable. Jones had 12 catches for 300 yards and a 75-yard touchdown. You can’t make this sort of stuff up!

2. Matt Ryan: Ryan is the best quarterback in the NFL through the first four games of 2016. He completed 28 of 37 passes for 503 yards for four touchdowns, and one interception.

3. Derek Anderson: When Newton had to leave the game with a possible concussion, Anderson came in and made it interesting for a moment. Anderson completed 17 of 23 for 172 yards, two touchdowns, a two-point conversion, but two costly interceptions.

Highlights

Next Game

The Panthers will have an extra day to prepare for their Week 5 game against the NFC South rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Carolina will host the Buccaneers for an 8:30 PM ET kickoff on Monday NIght Football on October 10th.

Next: Best QB/Head Coach Combos in NFL History

The Falcons have to travel west for a brutal Week 5 road game against the Denver Broncos. Kickoff from Mile High Stadium will be at 4:05 PM ET on Sunday, October 9th.