The Atlanta Falcons trailed by four points with less than three minutes remaining in Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers when Marcus Mariota connected with Damiere Byrd for a 47-yard touchdown to take the lead.
That wouldn’t be enough, though, as Panthers QB PJ Walker connected with DJ Moore for a 62-yard touchdown to tie the game at 34. However, Carolina missed the extra point and Atlanta went on to make a field goal in overtime to seal a 37-34 win.
Here are five takeaways from Sunday’s thriller.
1
NFC South standings: Falcons STILL in first place!
- Falcons (4-4)
- Buccaneers (3-5)
- Saints (3-5)
- Panthers (2-6)
The Falcons were able to remain in first place and dropped the Panthers back down to the basement of the NFC South after Sunday’s win. With Tom Brady and the Buccaneers struggling, and the Saints looking unimpressive, Atlanta is in prime position to take control of this division moving forward.
2
Mariota responded from rough start
Mariota responded from an early interception with a three-touchdown performance on his 29th birthday. Most importantly, the Falcons QB stepped up when adversity hit the team in the fourth quarter, and later in overtime. Mariota’s 47-yard strike to Damiere Byrd gave Atlanta a 31-28 lead. For the game, Mariota completed 20-of-28 passes for 253 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
BYRDMAN
📺 FOX || NFL+ pic.twitter.com/PKeiAkPsel
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 30, 2022
3
Carter's pick-six was the play of the game
Lorenzo Carter deserves some credit for Sunday’s win. Before the game became a mess in the fourth quarter and overtime, the Falcons linebacker intercepted Panthers QB PJ Walker and returned it for a touchdown. It was a huge play that gave the team a major boost going into halftime.
.@_zocarter went ⬆️ and all the way
📺 FOX || NFL+ pic.twitter.com/uK3AcaWqqQ
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 30, 2022
4
Kicking was the difference in the game
Younghoe Koo made the game-winning kick in overtime, but it was Panthers kicker Eddy Pineiro’s rough day that kept the Falcons in the game. After missing an extra point (which was longer than usual due to a Panthers penalty) that would have won the game, Pineiro’s missed kick in overtime gave Atlanta a third life. The Falcons are lucky to have one of the NFL’s best kickers when things get close.
How are you so Kooooooooo?
📺 FOX || NFL+ pic.twitter.com/nvGcjvz6yx
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 30, 2022
5
What's next for Atlanta?
The Falcons host the Los Angeles Chargers and quarterback Justin Herbert in Week 9. If Atlanta’s secondary is still banged up, it could be a tough game for the defense. The Chargers should be fully rested following a bye in Week 8. Herbert presents a bigger challenge than Walker, so the Falcons need to be ready on Sunday.
