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ATLANTA (AP) – The Carolina Panthers have found a way to have one last chance to beat the Atlanta Falcons after scoring twice 14 points in the second half.
Welcome to NFC South. This is another entertaining race.
Playing without the injured Devonta Freeman, the Falcons still had a big production on the field and survived Cam Newton's desperation pass in the end zone.
It was a dramatic end to a game of rivalry.
"In the end, I do not think there is anyone who is not up to it and who is screaming and feeling wild," said Falcons coach Dan Quinn. "You could not hear anything."
It was a big win for the Falcons (1-1) after last week's loss to Philadelphia in their opening game. With another defeat, they would have beaten the Panthers (1-1) and Tampa Bay by two games at two weeks of the season. Instead, they are one of three teams tied 1-1, with only the Buccaneers still unbeaten in the division that sent three teams to the playoffs last season.
Matt Ryan spent 272 yards on two touchdowns and had his first career game with two touchdowns for Atlanta. Freeman was kneeed with knee pain and Tevin Coleman ran for 107 yards in his starting role. Rookie Ito Smith added 46 rushing yards while the Falcons ran for 170 yards.
Atlanta led 24-10 after Ryan's 1-meter run in the third quarter and 31-17 after his incredible 8-yard run in the middle of the final period.
The 51-yard Newton's touchdown pass to rookie D.J. Moore narrowed the gap to seven points. Newton looked for Moore again on the final game. Moore could not adjust after linebacker De'Vondre Campbell missed a chance for an interception.
"I had a good shot, but he just fell too fast in his arms when I reacted," Moore said.
Here are some points to remember about the Falcon victory in their home game:
EJECTION
Falcon safety Damontae Kazee was ejected after driving with his helmet a shot at Newton early in the second quarter. Newton slipped after a race before Kazee's safe shot, the starter filling for Keanu Neal, who will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Newton was quickly checked on the sideline before returning to the field without missing a game.
"That was good," Newton said. "It was worse than that. I'm just lucky that nothing has happened. This game is not suitable for low shots like that, but in the end you can not blame him. He plays as hard as he can, I play as hard as I can.
Memorable memoirs
Falcons rookie Calvin Ridley had the chance to celebrate his first NFL game. Then his first touchdown.
Alabama's top pick led Ryan to a 11-yard lead with 4:03 to play in the first half. Ridley caught four catches for 64 yards after being held without a first-round pick.
Similarly, Moore's 51-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter was the Panthers rookie's first take.
BRACE MALFUNCTION II: Matt Schaub made his first appearance since the 2016 season, but it was only for one game.
Ryan's replacement Schaub entered the game after Ryan ran on the sidelines after a 5-yard run in the first quarter. Ryan slipped on the game, which caused the reinforcement of his left knee. While Ryan was splinting, Schaub was on the field long enough for a fumble. He fell on the ball for 8 yards and Ryan returned to the game.
Ryan's knee brace also lost his place after slipping to the end of the race in the Philadelphia Falcons' defeat last week. The Falcons called a timeout because the staff quickly cut the corset.
ROOKIE FILL-IN: Ian Thomas, the late Panthers rookie, scored two catches for 10 yards as a substitute for Greg Olsen, who has a broken foot.
REPORT OF INJURIES: The Falcons left guard Andy Levitre (elbow) and defensive end Derrick Shelby (groin) left the game. The Panthers lost at the beginning of the season a solid safety, Da'Norris Searcy (concussion) and cornerback Donte Jackson (thigh).
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