SB Nation Atlanta - Falcons Win Non-Nailbiter, Outrun Panthers 31-10https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2010-12-12T16:08:10-05:00http://atlanta.sbnation.com/rss/stream/16260742010-12-12T16:08:10-05:002010-12-12T16:08:10-05:00NFL Week 14, Falcons Vs. Panthers Final Score: 31-10, Falcons Win 7th Straight
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> won their seventh straight game and improved to 11-2 with a 31-10 win against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a>. <span>Michael Turner</span> led the way with three rushing touchdowns and 112 yards on 28 carries. The Falcons also got some good news when the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> (without an injured <span>Aaron Rodgers</span>) lost to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a>. The Falcons can now clinch a playoff berth if the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> lose to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> on Monday.</p>
<p>This was the type of performance sorely needed from a Falcons team that had won 70 percent of their games this season by one score or less. The Panthers are a bad football team and the Falcons did what they should have done; beat them by a lot.</p>
<p>The defense for the Falcons was a bit of an enigma as they allowed the second-fewest passing yards since 2008 but they allowed the most rushing yards in that same span. Up next is an interesting game in Seattle against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a>. With the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a> on the horizon, the Falcons should be careful in the Pacific Northwest.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2010/12/12/1871784/nfl-week-14-falcons-vs-panthers-final-score-31-10-falcons-win-7thTroy Heinzman2010-12-12T15:48:53-05:002010-12-12T15:48:53-05:00NFL Week 14, Falcons Vs. Panthers Score: 31-10, Michael Turner's Three TDs Lead Falcons
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<p>After a Mike Peterson interception of <span>Jimmy Clausen</span>, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> wasted little time in sealing this victory with a four-play, 16-yard drive culminating in <span>Michael Turner</span>’s third rushing touchdown of the day. Turner has carried 28 times for 112 yards and those three scores and been the steady force for the Falcons offense all day long.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Panthers</a> closed to within 10 after halftime but it was Turner who kept the offense moving on third down and was able to finish drives when they reached the red zone. What a difference a healthy Turner makes. Last season at this time, Turner was injured and the Falcons were dropping to 6-7 after 13 games. This season, the Falcons are putting the finishing touches on a blowout win in Carolina bringing their record to 11-2 and keeping their distance from the rest of the <span class="caps">NFC</span> for homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2010/12/12/1871752/nfl-week-14-falcons-vs-panthers-score-31-10-michael-turners-three-tdsTroy Heinzman2010-12-12T15:40:14-05:002010-12-12T15:40:14-05:00NFL Week 14, Falcons Vs. Panthers Fantasy Football Update: Running Backs All Having Big Days
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<p>If you own <span>Michael Turner</span> on your fantasy team, you are loving his performance today. He’s up over 100 yards and has scored two rushing touchdowns against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a>. In most leagues the playoffs began this week and Turner’s performance is exactly the reason you made him a high draft pick back in September.</p>
<p>Turner’s counterpart in Carolina, <span>Jonathan Stewart</span>, has rushed for 134 yards on 17 carries and <span>Mike Goodson</span> has added 70 yards and one touchdown. It’s been a good day for running backs in this one and a good day for any of their fantasy owners (presuming they started them).</p>
<p><span>Roddy White</span> has eight catches for 79 yards and is one catch shy of reaching 100 receptions for the season. He would become the first Falcon player to do so since Eric Metcalf.</p>
<p>With six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the rushing stats could continue to pile up.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2010/12/12/1871731/nfl-week-14-falcons-vs-panthers-fantasy-football-update-running-backsTroy Heinzman2010-12-12T15:32:42-05:002010-12-12T15:32:42-05:00NFL Week 14, Falcons Vs. Panthers Score: 24-10, Falcons Lead Despite Dreadful Run Defense
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> still lead the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a> by 14 points, 24-10 but they have allowed the most rushing yards since <span>Mike Smith</span> arrived in 2008. The previous record was 202 allowed to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a> but the Falcons defense have given up 213 yards to the Panthers ground game led by the duo of <span>Jonathan Stewart</span> and <span>Mike Goodson</span>.</p>
<p>This is the reason the Panthers were able to cut the lead to 14 with a 36-yard field goal that concluded a seven-play, 52-yard drive. The Panthers have thrown for only 22 yards in this game so you’d think the Falcons would be able to stack the box and force <span>Jimmy Clausen</span> to beat them but that has not been the case as the Panthers have had huge lanes to wander through for big, big gains.</p>
<p>The Falcons are not in danger of losing this game but the once stout run defense has now been gashed in back-to-back weeks.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2010/12/12/1871718/nfl-week-14-falcons-vs-panthers-score-24-10-falcons-lead-despiteTroy Heinzman2010-12-12T15:10:44-05:002010-12-12T15:10:44-05:00NFL Week 14, Atlanta Falcons Vs. Carolina Panthers Score: 24-7, Falcons Increase Lead
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<p><span>Michael Turner</span> found the endzone for the second time today with a 3-yard touchdown run giving the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> a 24-7 lead in the third quarter. The Falcons answered a Carolina Panther touchdown that trimmed their lead to 10 with a five-play, 29-yard drive that used up just over one minute of game time.</p>
<p>Turner has 20 carries for 77 yards and two scores while <span>Roddy White</span> has seven catches for 68 yards. Matt Ryan has thrown for 183 yards and one touchdown. He did throw a pick late in the second half as time expired. The Falcons have rolled up 265 yards of total offense and held the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Panthers</a> to negative-13 passing yards so far.</p>
<p>Turner’s touchdown was exactly the kind of answer a championship team would give when their lead was cut into. The Falcons biggest key now is to avoid injury and head to Seattle to play the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a> fully healthy.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2010/12/12/1871687/nfl-week-14-atlanta-falcons-vs-carolina-panthers-score-24-7-falconsTroy Heinzman2010-12-12T14:50:24-05:002010-12-12T14:50:24-05:00NFL Week 14, Atlanta Falcons Vs. Carolina Panthers Score: 17-7, Falcons Lead Cut To 10
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> received the second half kickoff but failed to move the ball. That may have been a mistake. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a>, after a historically bad first half, drove 81 yards in five plays behind a 48-yard run by <span>Jonathan Stewart</span> and a 13-yard touchdown by <span>Mike Goodson</span> to cut the Falcons lead, 17-7.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d81cd4d6a/Stewart-48-yd-run">Watch the video of Stewart's 48-yard run</a></p>
<p>The Falcons run defense has been stout this season but they have been known to have lapses allowing long runs, as was the case here. Up 10 in the third quarter against a 1-11 team is still a good position to be in but the Falcons would be wise to answer with a touchdown of their own. Letting teams with nothing to play hang around is always a bad idea.</p>
<p>Stewart has nine carries for 67 yards and Goodson has 43 yards one six carries and the touchdown. After gaining only 33 yards in the first half, the Panthers have 114 now.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2010/12/12/1871653/nfl-week-14-atlanta-falcons-vs-carolina-panthers-score-17-7-falconsTroy Heinzman2010-12-12T14:27:36-05:002010-12-12T14:27:36-05:00NFL Week 14, Falcons Vs. Panthers Score: 17-0, Falcons On Pace For Defensive Record
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> are putting on a clinic in all facets of the game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a>. They lead 17-0. They have outgained the Panthers, 202 to 33 in total yards and have 13 first downs to only two for Carolina. It’s been a thorough beating in the first half and victory is almost assuredly decided. Now the Falcons can set their sights on setting a defensive mark for fewest yards allowed as a franchise.</p>
<p>The Panthers are on pace for only 66 yards. If the Falcons can maintain their current pace, they would set a team-record for fewest yards allowed ever, breaking the previous effort of 77 total yards allowed to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> in 2008.</p>
<p>It’s possible the Falcons will be up big in the second half and the Panthers will be able to tack on garbage yards but if the Falcons choose too, they could have a shot at history.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2010/12/12/1871609/nfl-week-14-falcons-vs-panthers-score-17-0-falcons-on-pace-forTroy Heinzman2010-12-12T14:12:35-05:002010-12-12T14:12:35-05:00NFL Week 14, Atlanta Falcons Vs. Carolina Panthers Score: 17-0, Falcons Cruising
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> lead the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a>, 17-0, in their Week 14 <span class="caps">NFC</span> South showdown. <span>Matt Bryant</span>’s 39-yard field goal ended an 18-play, 64-yard drive that took nearly nine minutes off the game clock. The drive appeared it was headed for a touchdown but a tipped pass by <span>Jon Beason</span> and a miscommunication on the route between <span>Harry Douglas</span> and Matt Ryan opened the door for Bryant to work his field goal magic. The Falcons have outgained the Panthers 189 to 16 and have controlled the ball for over 19 minutes in the first half.</p>
<p>I guess overlooking the Panthers was not something this team was going to do. With two and half minutes left in the first half, the Panthers need to be careful because the way the Falcons offense is playing, it could 24-0 when both teams enter the locker room. Matt Ryan has thrown for 122 yards and <span>Michael Turner</span> has ruched for 62.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2010/12/12/1871578/nfl-week-14-atlanta-falcons-vs-carolina-panthers-score-17-0-falconsTroy Heinzman