According to AP Sports Writer Steve Reed,

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

Chris Tabor, the interim head coach for the Panthers, has been coaching Eddy Pineiro for three years in both Chicago and Carolina. Despite Pineiro’s age of 28, Tabor’s trust in him as a kicker remains strong.

This is why Coach Tabor instructed running back Chuba Hubbard to intentionally stop before reaching the goal line after gaining a first down, instead of attempting to score a touchdown, in order to use up more time on the clock.

This is the reason why he had Bryce Young kneel on three consecutive plays before sending Pineiro onto the field to secure the victory in a wet and slippery game with only one second left on the clock.

Pineiro calmly kicked a 23-yard field goal as time ran out, rewarding his coach and leading the Panthers to a 9-7 victory over Atlanta in a rainy game on Sunday. This loss dealt a significant blow to the Falcons’ chances of making it to the playoffs.

Tabor expressed great faith in our kicker, stating that if we were on the 2- or 3-yard line with the ball in the center, he believes we have a strong chance of ending the game at that moment.

This may have also put an end to Atlanta’s chances of reaching the playoffs.

The Atlanta Falcons, with a record of 6-8, were tied with the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the top spot in the NFC South. However, after both the Saints and Buccaneers won their games and improved to 7-7, the Falcons now require assistance to make it to the playoffs.

“The loss is tough to swallow,” expressed Falcons coach Arthur Smith. “We need to regroup and come up with a plan. It’s crucial for us to get back to winning. This outcome was not what we had anticipated.”

In his second victory in the NFL, Young passed for a total of 167 yards while Hubbard rushed for 87 yards on 22 carries for Carolina.

During the game, the Falcons were ahead with a score of 7-6 and were attempting to score more points. However, during this drive, Desmond Ridder made a pass into a crowded area and was intercepted by safety Xavier Woods at the Carolina 5-yard line.

Despite struggling throughout the game, Young managed to guide the Panthers on a 17-play, 90-yard drive that consumed the remaining 7 minutes and 35 seconds of the game.

The Panthers (2-12) ended their six-game losing streak with a win.

Tabor expressed his joy and pride for his team’s breakthrough. He acknowledged the struggle of constantly trying to achieve something with no success, but ultimately, they were able to push through and achieve their goal.

Ridder completed 12 out of 22 passes for a total of 152 yards, including one touchdown and one interception that proved to be costly. In addition, Bijan Robinson also had a costly turnover for Atlanta in the second half.

The Panthers’ popularity has significantly declined, leading to tickets being sold for $4 on online resale platforms due to inclement weather before the game.

In the second quarter, the Falcons were able to break a tie with a score as Ridder found Jonnu Smith for a 56-yard reception. This led to a 2-yard shovel pass to Cordarrelle Patterson.

In the first half, Carolina had an opportunity to even the score, but their attempt ended in the red zone when Young was sacked for the 50th time this season. The Panthers had to settle for a 34-yard field goal by Pineiro, making it the fifth consecutive game where they have only scored three points in the first half.

In the later part of the third quarter, Troy Hill forced Robinson to lose possession of the ball, which was then recovered by Brian Burns at the Falcons’ 24-yard line. However, the typically reliable Adam Thielen failed to catch a potential touchdown pass, resulting in the Panthers having to settle for a 25-yard field goal from Pineiro. This cut the lead to 7-6.

The Panthers were given a final opportunity due to Ridder’s unwise interception.

“I have to pass the ball and survive to play another down,” stated Ridder. “We are all capable of making big plays and we need to strive to do so on the field. It is crucial that we understand the appropriate timing and circumstances. Unfortunately, this was not one of those moments.”

In hindsight, Ridder acknowledged that he should have run out of bounds.

Ridde advised against throwing late over the middle, stating that it’s not a wise decision and likely indicates attempting to do too much.

The Panthers were granted a final opportunity with the pick, and Young punished the Falcons for it.

On the last possession, the top pick completed all five of their passes for 68 yards. This included a 20-yard throw to first-year player Jonathan Mingo on a third-and-3 play to gain a first down.

Young expressed that there is a mutual trust and belief among the group. It was a valuable chance for us all to come together and, while in the huddle, we shared a common understanding and determination. We all had the conviction that we could come together and succeed.

INJURIES

In the fourth quarter, Panthers’ cornerback Donte Jackson exited the game due to a back injury sustained while tackling Drake London.

UP NEXT

The Falcons will be hosting the Colts this Sunday.

The Panthers will be hosting the Packers on Sunday.

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The AP NFL can be found at: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl.

Source: wralsportsfan.com