CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ It wasn't the Super Bowl. And it wasn't a 25-point lead. But stop us if you've heard this one.
After spotting Atlanta a 10-point lead in the first quarter, the Carolina Panthers stormed back for a key NFC South victory on Sunday, beating the Falcons 20-17 at Bank of America Stadium.
Panthers fans have delighted in reminding their NFC South rivals about the 28-3 third-quarter lead they gave up in a Super Bowl LI loss to New England in February, including with a sign outside the stadium on Sunday.
Inside the stadium it was Cam Newton, an Atlanta native and offseason resident, and a stout Panthers defense who were their tormentors _ starting with two minutes to play in the first half.
The Carolina defense, which had allowed three offensive points by the opponents in the past two games, had allowed 10 in the first quarter, and the Panthers trailed 10-0.
Then Newton got Carolina (6-3) going.
After encouraging the crowd at the two-minute warning, with the Panthers having a first and goal at the Atlanta 4, Newton recognized the importance of the moment.
Christian McCaffrey scored his first rushing touchdown on the next play to cut Atlanta's lead to 10-7.
Panthers safety Mike Adams' second interception in as many games _ and his 40-yard return _ started a joyous sprint by his defensive teammates _ and set up Newton's diving touchdown dunk on Desmond Trufant's head with 23 seconds left in the first half for a 14-10 Panthers lead.
"I thought the defense did a good job," Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. "Mike Adams had the big interception and the return that set up our touchdown, and that's one of the things we look for is to get those opportunities from our defense. They set a good tempo for us."
Two Graham Gano field goals stretched the lead to 20-10 in the second half before Tevin Coleman's 19-yard touchdown reception cut Carolina's lead to 20-17 with 3:25 to play.
After a 3-and-out by the Panthers, the Falcons (4-4) got the ball back at their 21 after a 57-yard Michael Palardy punt, with 2:18 to play.
Panthers safety Kurt Coleman put a crushing hit on Tevin Coleman for a loss of 3 on first down. Two incompletions brought up fourth down. Kuechly broke up the fourth-down pass, giving the ball back to the Panthers at the Atlanta 18, and Carolina ran out the clock.
The Panthers remain a half-game behind New Orleans (6-2) in the NFC South after the Saints' rout of Tampa Bay on Sunday.
"My understanding is New Orleans won," Rivera said. "Right now we're just trying to keep pace."
The Panthers host the Miami Dolphins on Monday, Nov. 13, in their next game. And the return meeting with Atlanta on Christmas Eve.
