ATLANTA — In a matchup that showcased the struggles of both the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers, both NFC South teams thought Sunday’s regular-season finale hinted at brighter days ahead, especially regarding their quarterback situations. Unfortunately for neither team, the game revealed that playoff aspirations would not be fulfilled this season.
Bryce Young delivered a standout performance, throwing for three touchdowns and adding two more on the ground, while guiding an impressive 70-yard drive. This effort culminated in Miles Sanders’ 1-yard touchdown run during overtime, securing a thrilling 44-38 victory for Carolina over Atlanta. The loss was particularly disappointing for the Falcons, who saw their playoff hopes dashed earlier in the game when Tampa Bay overcame New Orleans.
For Atlanta, this game marked a tough conclusion to a season where they once held a division lead at 6-3 but ultimately fell to an 8-9 finish under first-year head coach Raheem Morris. The team’s defense struggled mightily, allowing a staggering 537 yards to Young and the Panthers. Morris expressed his discontent, stating, “I was really fired up about the direction we were going. We took a step back today, a huge step.”
On a more positive note, rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. solidified his place as Atlanta’s starter, throwing for 312 yards and two touchdown passes, both of which went to star receiver Drake London, who amassed 10 receptions for a career-high 187 yards. Additionally, Bijan Robinson contributed with an impressive 170 rushing yards and two touchdowns, but their efforts weren’t enough to keep the Falcons’ season alive.
The Falcons haven’t reached the playoffs since the 2017 season, and they needed not only a win against the Panthers but also a loss by division rivals Tampa Bay to secure the title. While Atlanta’s players geared up for the game thinking they could control their destiny, the Buccaneers managed to defeat the Saints 27-19 as the Falcons prepared for overtime. “The main message all week was we come out here and win this game, and whatever happens in the other game, we can’t control that,” Penix remarked.
Young’s performance was nothing short of remarkable; he set a career high with five total touchdowns and matched his best with three passing touchdowns on 25-of-34 passing for 251 yards. “Everyone understood we were playing for ourselves,” he said, underlining the significance of finishing the season strong. As the first overall pick in the 2023 draft, Young, who had experienced ups and downs earlier this season, has now emerged as the clear answer at quarterback for Carolina. “Bryce is our quarterback,” said Coach Dave Canales. “I’m so proud of the way he just took the challenge and grew every week.”
Penix’s stat line showed him completing 21 of 38 attempts, suffering one interception. Morris praised the young quarterback, stating, “When you have a quarterback like that, you’re cooking with gas.” However, he swiftly shifted focus to the defensive struggles, expressing disappointment over the team’s overall performance. “We just were not good enough across the board defensively,” Morris noted, summarizing the disappointing conclusion to their season.
Atlanta fans had brief glimpses of hope during the game as they celebrated updates about the Saints leading the Buccaneers, but as the Panthers found their rhythm, the tides turned. Young’s third touchdown pass, a 9-yarder to David Moore, pushed Carolina ahead 31-24, and after Penix equalized with a touchdown to London, the Panthers reclaimed the edge with Young’s 10-yard rushing touchdown late in regulation.
Penix led the Falcons on a critical 70-yard drive, which was capped off by Robinson’s 4-yard run, tying the game with only 46 seconds remaining. Additionally, Sanders, who was activated after being on injured reserve, made a notable impact, rushing for 61 yards, catching three passes for 50 yards, and scoring the game-winning touchdown. “I’m just happy that I was out there to showcase what I’m capable of,” Sanders shared.
In terms of injuries during the game, both teams faced significant setbacks. The Panthers were without two players due to second-quarter injuries, while the Falcons lost cornerback Mike Hughes and were already missing a handful of others.
Looking ahead, the Panthers will shift their focus to offseason decisions and the upcoming NFL draft as they aim to break their streak of seven consecutive losing seasons. Meanwhile, the Falcons will continue to build their strategy for next year, concentrating on Penix’s development and determining the future of former starter Kirk Cousins.
