Written by Clark Gerber, a contributor for WRAL Sports.

Atlanta Falcons	7
Carolina Panthers	9
Final

The Carolina Panthers have secured their second win of the season, despite a messy and damp game that was far from aesthetically pleasing.

Eddy Pineiro’s successful 23-yard field goal was the deciding factor in the Panthers’ 9-7 win against their opponents. The game was played in rainy conditions and the stadium was not filled to capacity.

Young’s performance during the game-winning drive was exceptional. The drive covered a total of 90 yards in 17 plays and effectively used up the remaining 7 minutes and 35 seconds on the game clock.

The newcomer had a perfect record of 5 completions for 68 yards, spreading the ball to five different receivers. One standout play was a stunning throw to DJ Chark along the sideline, bringing them closer to scoring.

Carolina relied on Chuba Hubbard to advance and run down the remaining time. The third-year running back gained a total of 87 yards on 22 carries, with his most notable being a 6-yard first down that allowed the Panthers to take a knee and set up Pineiro’s winning kick as the clock ran out.

Young stated that this was undoubtedly a victory for the team, praising the defense for their excellent performance. He also mentioned how the team fed off each other’s energy, despite the difficult and unpleasant conditions of the game. He expressed his satisfaction with the win, especially considering the challenges they had faced towards the end of the season.

If the defense had not made a few crucial plays, Carolina probably would not have had the opportunity to win the game in the final moments.

Xavier Woods halted a Falcons red zone drive when he intercepted an ill-advised throw from Desmond Ridder. The play not only held Atlanta to 7 points on the scoreboard, it also directly led to the Panthers’ final drive.

“We discussed it throughout the entire week,” stated acting head coach Chris Tabor. “The weather conditions, the wind, and our strategy for playing the game were all topics of conversation. In the end, our team remained determined to come out victorious.”

In the latter part of the third quarter, Troy Hill Jr. made an impactful play by causing a fumble by Bijan Robinson, which gave Carolina an opportunity to score.

The team was unsuccessful in scoring a touchdown after advancing to the Atlanta 5-yard line. They instead opted for another short field goal by Eddy Pineiro, reducing the deficit by one point.

Apart from two significant offensive plays made by Atlanta in the second quarter, the Panthers’ defense controlled the game throughout. They limited the Falcons to a mere 204 yards overall, including only 52 rushing yards on 31 attempts.

This Sunday, interim coach Chris Tabor achieved his first career victory. He replaced the dismissed Frank Reich in Week 13.

Next week, the Panthers will return to their home field to face the Green Bay Packers.

Tabor explained, “There are times when you knock on a door and receive no response. Eventually, you have to forcefully open it, which is exactly what we did tonight.”

Young expressed his satisfaction with the group he is working with, stating that he has complete trust and belief in each member. He also shared that it is a wonderful feeling to have such a supportive team.

Scoring Summary

At 4:49 in the second quarter, Desmond Ridder threw a 2-yard pass to Cordarrelle Patterson, resulting in a touchdown for the Falcons. Younghoe Koo successfully made the extra point, putting the Falcons ahead 7-0.

At the 0:22 mark of the second quarter, Eddy Pineiro successfully kicked a 34-yard field goal, bringing the Falcons’ score to 7-3.

At 1:32 PM on the fourth, Eddy Pineiro successfully kicked a 25-yard field goal, bringing the score to 7-6 with the Falcons in the lead.

At the start of the fourth quarter, Eddy Pineiro successfully kicked a 23-yard field goal, bringing the score to 9-7 with the Panthers in the lead.

Source: wralsportsfan.com