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 Atlanta's star receiver discarded one Carolina defender, jumped over
another and snagged a 70-yard pass from quarterback Matt Ryan for
the go-ahead score late in the third quarter in the Falcons' 20-13
win over the Panthers on Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
The Falcons handed the Panthers (14-1) their first loss and, for
now, kept them from clinching home-field advantage in the NFC
playoffs. Atlanta (8-7) also kept its own playoff hopes alive,
although a win by the Minnesota Vikings later in the day would
eliminate the Falcons from postseason contention.
Carolina quarterback Cam Newton had two chances to lead comeback
drives late in the fourth quarter but couldn't get the Panthers in
the end zone.
"They may have taken us lightly," Falcons rookie linebacker Vic
Beasley said. "But we didn't take them lightly."
One week after battling New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham
Jr. physically and verbally, Carolina Pro Bowl cornerback Josh
Norman struggled to keep up with Jones. But Norman wasn't matched up
on Jones on the biggest play of the game.
On third and 14, Ryan scrambled to his left and heaved a deep ball
to Jones, who was covered by corner Charles Tillman and linebacker
Luke Kuechly. Neither could climb with Jones, who leaped up, made
the catch and strolled into the end zone for the winning touchdown.
"Just how we drew it up," joked Falcons coach Dan Quinn.
Jones finished with 178 yards on nine receptions and broke his own
Falcons record for receiving yards in a season.
Ryan completed 23 of 30 passes for 306 yards. His touchdown pass to
Jones was the 200th of his career.
The Falcons' win comes just two weeks after a 38-0 loss to the
Panthers in Carolina.
"This was a measuring-stick game, a complete team win," Quinn said.
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The Panthers, who averaged 38.8 points in their last five games,
were held to a season-low 13 points.
"We didn't coach to our abilities or play to our abilities,"
Carolina coach Ron Rivera said. "But give them credit. This is part
of the journey. We have to refocus. But we've accomplished a lot.
Let's not lose sight of that."
Newton finished 17 of 30 for 142 yards passing. He also rushed seven
times for 46 yards.
"We didn't match the Falcons' intensity at times," Newton said.
"They made more plays. That's unacceptable. Come back and get ready
for a good week of practice. No magic words need to be said."
The Panthers will look to secure home-field advantage throughout the
NFC playoffs next week at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Falcons finish up at home against the New Orleans Saints.
(Editing by Andrew Both)
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