1st Quarter
RECAP: The Panthers fall behind 7-0 as the Falcons get a big touchdown run from Warrick Dunn. The Panthers are trying like heck to establish the run and having some success doing so as DeShaun Foster has 33 yards.
BIG PLAY: The Panthers were completely fooled on a draw play on third-and-3 and Dunn took it 30 yards to the house for a touchdown. Only one Carolina defender got a hand on Dunn.
BIG MISTAKE: WR Drew Carter dropped a pass on second-and-5 that would have moved the chains. On the next play, QB Vinny Testaverde threw short of WR Steve Smith and the Panthers were forced to punt.
COMMENT: Carolina LB Thomas Davis knocks out starting QB Joey Harrington and backup Chris Redman comes into to complete a first down pass on third-and-8. Harrington returns on the next play.
SCORE: Atlanta 7, Carolina 0
2nd Quarter
RECAP: Carolina’s offense couldn’t muster any points, so the defense took matters into their own hands as Chris Harris stripped Laurent Robinson of the ball and Ken Lucas took it back 27 yards for a touchdown to tie the game 7-7.
BIG PLAY: Testaverde completed a pass to Steve Smith on fourth-and-1, but Smith was stripped of the ball by DeAngelo Hall and it rolled into the end zone for a touchback. It was a nice catch by Smith, but a better play by Hall, costing the Panthers seven points.
BIG MISTAKE: Jonathan Babineaux’s facemask penalty on DeAngelo Williams assured the Panthers of a field goal before the end of the first half, giving Carolina a 10-7 lead heading into the locker room.
COMMENT: Harris continues to have an amazing season for the Panthers. He now has forced four fumbles this season, recovered three and has an interception. Is the Pro Bowl in his future? Carolina has shut down Atlanta’s running game since the Dunn touchdown.
SCORE: Carolina 10, Atlanta 7
3rd Quarter
RECAP: Both offenses are sputtering here in the third. The Falcons tie the game on Morten Andersen’s 36-yard field goal and the momentum seems to have swung to their side despite Dunn being their only offense.
BIG PLAY: Harrington completes a swing pass to Dunn to for a 35-yard gain setting up Andersen’s field goal.
BIG MISTAKE: Carter is called for offensive pass interference backing the Panthers into a hole in their own territory. Punter Jason Baker is not helping the Panthers today. His punts have been short all day.
COMMENT: Dwayne Jarrett is seeing his most extensive playing time of the season and hasn’t looked too bad.
SCORE: Carolina 10, Atlanta 10