Falcons at Panthers: Highlights, score and recap

The Atlanta Falcons defeated the Carolina Panthers 33-16 on Christmas Eve at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Atlanta improves to 10-5 on the season, while Carolina falls to 6-9 on the year.

The Atlanta Falcons were able to hold on and defeat their NFC South rival Carolina Panthers 33-16 on Christmas Eve 2016. This win sees the Falcons improve 10-5 on the season, creeping ever closer to the NFC South division crown. Carolina’s most recent loss drops the Panthers to 6-9 on the year and eliminates them from the NFC playoff picture.

Atlanta took a strong 20-3 lead into halftime on the Panthers. NFL MVP candidate Matt Ryan outplayed his counterpart Cam Newton from the quarterback position through the afternoon. Ryan would face ample pressure from the Carolina pass rush but never caved. Newton struggled with his accuracy all afternoon.

It was difficult for the Panthers to sustain the necessary drives to keep pace with the high-flying Falcons offense. Ryan was sacked four times by the vaunted Panthers front seven but did not turn the football over despite being under great duress.

Atlanta would eventually seal the game with a 55-yard rushing touchdown by running back Tevin Coleman to make it 30-13 Falcons. Carolina would drive a few times after that but never could take a lead in this rivalry game.

The Falcons can clinch the NFC South with either a Tampa Bay Buccaneers loss to the New Orleans Saints or a win next weekend over the rival Saints at home. Atlanta’s 10th win essentially clinches them an NFC playoff berth no matter what Tampa Bay does the rest of the way.

Three Stars

1. Tevin Coleman: Coleman had the signature play of the game and was the Falcons’ best offensive player. He had nine carries for 90 yards and a touchdown. As a pass catcher, Coleman had three catches for 45 receiving yards.
2. Matt Ryan: Ryan might be the NFL MVP. He completed 27 of 33 passes for 277 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. Ryan had two carries for an additional nine rushing yards.
3. Deion Jones: Jones continues to be a highly productive player in his first NFL season out of LSU. He led all players with 13 tackles, eight solo and a pass defended.

Highlights

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Next Game

The Panthers Week 17 game will be on the road against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kickoff from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa will be at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, Jan. 1. FOX will have the telecast.