The Carolina Panthers took the Atlanta Falcons to the woodshed on Sunday
Note: This recap was written prior to the 4th quarter because the game was already over
If there was any fight left in the Atlanta Falcons it left the team sometime during the short ride between ATL and Charlotte. Because in that time until the Falcons took the field, the team’s collective heart left its body.
There was a little chatter heading into this week that the Falcons would be the squad to end the Panthers’ undefeated season. After all, the teams are bitter rivals, and this was the first showing since Carolina beat Atlanta last year to make the 2014-15 playoffs. After 21 first-quarter points by the Panthers, all talk of an upset went out the window.
For the Panthers it’s more of the same, with the team rolling along and becoming more dominant with every week. For the Falcons, it’s (un)officially the ignominious end of a season that started with such promise.
Three stars
Cam Newton: 15/21, 265 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT
Ted Ginn Jr: 2 receptions, 120 yards, 2 TD
Carolina Defense: For stealing whatever was left of Atlanta’s soul.
Highlights
"Cam Newton. Ted Ginn. 74 yards. See ya."
Odds
The Panthers were favored by 8.5 and covered by a country mile.
Next Week
The Falcons will face the Jacksonville Jaguars next week, while the Panthers will face the New York Giants.