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 and plays the remainder of the game.
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 SS Chris Harris stripping WR Laurent Robinson of the ball and CB Ken Lucas taking it back 27 yards for a touchdown to tie the game 7-7.
BIG PLAY: Testaverde completed a pass to 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 an even better play by Hall and cost the Panthers their best chance to score an offensive touchdown.
BIG MISTAKE: DT 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. 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
4st Quarter
RECAP: The Falcons take the lead on a 47-yard field goal by Andersen with 11:35 left in the game, but the Panthers bounce back to tie it up. The Panthers have a chance to drive for the winning points but go three-and-out. Baker’s ensuing punt is short and returned 23 yards by Adam Jennings into Carolina territory. Matt Moore’s last heave is intercepted.
BIG PLAY: Atlanta TE Alge Crumpler broke free for a 30-yard touchdown reception with 20 seconds left to hand Carolina its sixth straight loss at home. Harris is picked off on the play by a referee, but it would have been tough for him to make the play anyway.
BIG MISTAKE: On a first-and-10 from their own 22, Testaverde fires over the middle for Smith, who drops a would-be touchdown pass. Yes, the pass was a little behind him and it would have been a tough catch. Still, you have to make that play.