SB Nation Atlanta - Falcons Vs. Panthers: 31-23 Comeback Victory Keeps Atlanta In Playoff Racehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2011-12-14T08:49:42-05:00http://atlanta.sbnation.com/rss/stream/23827442011-12-14T08:49:42-05:002011-12-14T08:49:42-05:00In The Georgia Dome, No One Can Hear You Screen
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Falcons</a> do many things right. <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/28832/falcons-down-to-61-yards-on-screen-passes">This is doing it wrong</a>:</p>↵<blockquote>↵<p>The latest numbers from ESPN Stats & Information are out and, although the Falcons completed the one screen pass they threw in Sunday's game at Carolina, they've taken a step back. They now are at 61 yards.</p>↵</blockquote>↵
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2011/12/14/2635258/in-the-georgia-dome-no-one-can-hear-you-screenJason Kirk2011-12-12T16:21:57-05:002011-12-12T16:21:57-05:00NFC Playoff Scenarios: Mike Smith Prepares To Face Former Team Needing Win To Secure Falcons Playoff Spot
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<p>Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith will prepare to face off against his former team, the Jacksonville Jaguars, on Thursday night needing a victory to help secure a playoff spot in the NFC.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> head coach Mike Smith will prepare to face his former team, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jacksonville Jaguars</a>, while recovering from chest pains and a comeback victory over the Carolina Falcons. With a win on Thursday, maybe Smith's heart will rest easy as every win gets his team one step closer to another playoff bid.</p>
<p>Here are the updated NFC playoff scenarios headed into week 15:</p>
<table class="tablehead" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tbody>
<tr class="colhead" align="right">
<td class="sortcell" align="left" width="9%">Rank</td>
<td align="left" width="16%">NFC</td>
<td>W</td>
<td>L</td>
<td>T</td>
<td>PCT</td>
<td>DIV</td>
<td>CONF</td>
<td>SOS</td>
<td>SOV</td>
<td align="left" width="37%"><span title="Conference rank reason">REASON</span></td>
</tr>
<tr class="oddrow team-28-9" align="right">
<td class="sortcell" align="left">1</td>
<td align="left">z - Green Bay</td>
<td>13</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1.000</td>
<td>4-0-0</td>
<td>10-0-0</td>
<td>.446</td>
<td>.446</td>
<td align="left">NFC North Champ</td>
</tr>
<tr class="evenrow team-28-25" align="right">
<td class="sortcell" align="left">2</td>
<td align="left">z - San Francisco</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>.769</td>
<td>3-1-0</td>
<td>8-2-0</td>
<td>.449</td>
<td>.406</td>
<td align="left">NFC West Champ <br>Wins tie break over New Orleans based on best win percentage in conference games.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="oddrow team-28-18" align="right">
<td class="sortcell" align="left">3</td>
<td align="left">x - New Orleans</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>.769</td>
<td>3-1-0</td>
<td>6-3-0</td>
<td>.464</td>
<td>.454</td>
<td align="left">NFC South Champ</td>
</tr>
<tr class="evenrow team-28-19" align="right">
<td class="sortcell" align="left">4</td>
<td align="left">NY <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">Giants</a>
</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>.538</td>
<td>2-2-0</td>
<td>4-6-0</td>
<td>.515</td>
<td>.433</td>
<td align="left">NFC East Champ (Wins tie break over Dallas based on head-to-head win percentage.)</td>
</tr>
<tr class="oddrow team-28-1" align="right">
<td class="sortcell" align="left">5</td>
<td align="left">Atlanta</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>.615</td>
<td>2-2-0</td>
<td>6-4-0</td>
<td>.470</td>
<td>.340</td>
<td align="left">Wins tie break over Detroit based on head-to-head win percentage.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="evenrow team-28-8" align="right">
<td class="sortcell" align="left">6</td>
<td align="left">Detroit</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>.615</td>
<td>3-2-0</td>
<td>6-5-0</td>
<td>.515</td>
<td>.375</td>
<td align="left"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="oddrow team-28-3" align="right">
<td align="left">7</td>
<td align="left">Chicago</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>.538</td>
<td>2-2-0</td>
<td>6-3-0</td>
<td>.521</td>
<td>.407</td>
<td align="left">Wins tie break over Dallas based on best win percentage in conference games.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="evenrow team-28-6" align="right">
<td align="left">8</td>
<td align="left">Dallas</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>.538</td>
<td>2-2-0</td>
<td>5-4-0</td>
<td>.467</td>
<td>.382</td>
<td align="left"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="oddrow team-28-22" align="right">
<td align="left">9</td>
<td align="left">Arizona</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>.462</td>
<td>3-2-0</td>
<td>6-5-0</td>
<td>.470</td>
<td>.395</td>
<td align="left"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="evenrow team-28-26" align="right">
<td align="left">10</td>
<td align="left">Seattle</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>.417</td>
<td>2-1-0</td>
<td>4-4-0</td>
<td>.516</td>
<td>.469</td>
<td align="left"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="oddrow team-28-21" align="right">
<td align="left">11</td>
<td align="left">Philadelphia</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>.385</td>
<td>3-1-0</td>
<td>4-6-0</td>
<td>.491</td>
<td>.375</td>
<td align="left"></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p><i><br><b>For more on the Falcons, check out <a href="http://thefalcoholic.com/">The Falcoholic</a>. For everything NFL, visit <a href="http://sbnation.com/nfl">SB Nation's NFL page</a>. </b></i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2011/12/12/2631207/atlanta-falcons-nfc-playoff-scenarios-week-15-mike-smith-prepares-to-faceEddie Maisonet2011-12-12T10:28:13-05:002011-12-12T10:28:13-05:00NFL Playoff Picture 2011: Falcons Move To Fifth Seed, Would Play New York Giants
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<p>The combination of the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons" class="sbn-auto-link">Falcons</a>' stunning comeback win at Carolina, coupled with the <span>Tim Tebow</span> led 13-10 Denver comeback against Chicago allowed Atlanta to climb one spot in the NFC Playoff picture, moving from the No. 6 seed to the No. 5 seed, where, barring a monumental collapse by the <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New Orleans Saints</a>, the Falcons will stay if they win out the regular season. </p>
<p>For three weeks Atlanta had been sitting at the No. 6 seed, where they would hypothetically play at the No. 3 seeded NFC South Champion Saints in the wild card round. By moving up to the No. 5 spot, Atlanta would now travel to the No. 4 seed NFC East Champion, which switched from Dallas to New York after the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Giants</a>' 37-34 win Sunday night. </p>
<p>With three games remaining - a short-week turnaround hosting Jacksonville this Thursday night, at New Orleans on December 26 and hosting Tampa Bay on New Year's Day - the Falcons could finish 11-5 and not host a playoff game if New Orleans can't be caught. To win the division, the Falcons would need to win out (beating the Saints) and have New Orleans drop their season finale to Carolina January 1 to win a tiebreaker determined by division records.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Falcons, check out <a href="http://thefalcoholic.com">The Falcoholic</a>. For everything NFL, visit <a href="http://sbnation.com/nfl">SB Nation's NFL page</a>. </i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2011/12/12/2630164/nfl-playoff-picture-2011-falcons-wild-card-saints-footballSteven Godfrey2011-12-12T08:05:10-05:002011-12-12T08:05:10-05:00Falcons Vs. Panthers Highlights: Matt Ryan Steals The Show With Four TD Passes
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<p>It certainly <i>was</i> a tale of two halves for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Falcons</a>. After allowing Atlanta to score an early touchdown, the <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Panthers</a> dropped 23 unanswered points in about 12 minutes, leaving the Falcons faithful hopeless, stunned and angry (<a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/#!/AShirkey/status/145944025495638016">myself included</a>). They entered the locker room at the half with a comfortable 23-7 lead.</p>
<p>But whatever Mike Smith said in that locker room worked to perfection, and Atlanta came roaring back out the gate after halftime with a renewed sense of urgency and passion. Matt Ryan and a suddenly rejuvenated offense put up 24 second-half points, whilst a hungry defense held the still-young Cam Newton to zero points all the while. Two errors by Newton, both interceptions, were instrumental in allowing the Falcons back into the game.<br><br>All in all, the Falcons not only showed great resiliency with this win, but also displayed what their offense is actually capable of when firing on all cylinders. Now, onto the highlights:<br>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://nfl.cpl.delvenetworks.com/player/usatoday/popup/?mediaId=a8a5343ef468462c99df22148b46f68c">Falcons-Panthers Week 14 Highlights</a></p>
<p>Let's be honest: the first half was a nightmare for Atlanta. Cam Newton picks apart the Falcons secondary and finds <span>Jeremy Shockey</span> in the back of the end zone. <span>DeAngelo Williams</span> takes the handoff and goes 74 yards for the score untouched. Newton hits <span>Greg Olsen</span> on a screen pass that turns into a 44-yard score. The Panthers looked impressive, almost unstoppable at times, while the Falcons were coming apart at the seams.</p>
<p>Oh, and let's not forget the catalyst for all this: <span>Sam Baker</span>, who saw action at right guard today, completely failing to block <span>Antwan Applewhite</span> and allowing a safety. In fact, for the whole offensive line it was an <i>ugly</i> first half.</p>
<p>Things got better, however. The wily veteran Mike Peterson would pick off Newton's screen pass intended for <span>Jonathan Stewart</span>, which led to a field goal. Ryan would then connect with <span>Jacquizz Rodgers</span> on a 31-yard bomb in the end zone for a score.</p>
<p>Ultimately, it would be <span>Julio Jones</span> who would seal the deal for Atlanta. After scoring his first touchdown since week nine in the early moments of the fourth quarter, Ryan would hit Jones on a quick slant route. A couple of broken tackles later, Julio would find himself running 75 yards to the end zone on a back-breaking play that put the Falcons up by eight with less than five minutes left.</p>
<p>That lead would hold, and the Falcons completed their comeback and improve to 8-5. <i>Julio, </i>though he's had his inconsistencies as a rookie, is still showing <i>lots</i> o' potential, enough to perhaps become the superstar Thomas Dimitroff envisioned sooner than we think.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Falcons, check out <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thefalcoholic.com">The Falcoholic</a>; for the Panthers, head over to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.catscratchreader.com">Cat Scratch Reader</a>.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2011/12/12/2629671/atlanta-falcons-carolina-panthers-highlights-second-half-comeback-mike-smith-matt-ryanTurnerTheBurner2011-12-12T08:00:49-05:002011-12-12T08:00:49-05:00NFL Scores, NFC South Standings: New Orleans Closing In On Division Title
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<p>The Atlanta Falcons remained in playoff contention with a 31-23 come from behind victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. </p> <p><strong>Atlanta Falcons 31 vs. Carolina Panthers 23:</strong> Atlanta scored 24 second half points to overcome a 23-7 Panthers lead to keep pace in the NFC South. Matt Ryan threw for 320 yards and four touchdowns in the victory. Rookie wide receiver <span>Julio Jones</span> finished with 104 yards and two touchdowns. </p>
<p><strong>New Orleans Saints 22 vs. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Tennessee Titans</a> 17:</strong> New Orleans got 337 yards passing and two touchdowns from <span>Drew Brees</span> and the Saints stopped the Titans in the red zone to preserve a 22-17 victory. </p>
<p><strong><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> 41 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14:</strong> <span>Maurice Jones-Drew</span> scored two touchdowns as Tampa Bay dropped its seventh straight game. </p>
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<h3>NFC South Standings</h3>
<div class="pane-body">
<table cellspacing="0" class="standings zebra">
<thead><tr>
<th></th> <th>W</th> <th>L</th> <th>T</th> <th>PF</th> <th>PA</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first "><a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans</a></td>
<td>10</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>415</td>
<td class="td-last">286</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first "><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta</a></td>
<td>8</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>300</td>
<td class="td-last">267</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first "><a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina</a></td>
<td>4</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>313</td>
<td class="td-last">355</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first "><a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay</a></td>
<td>4</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>232</td>
<td class="td-last">370</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
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<p class="updated">(updated 12.11.2011 at 4:48 PM EST)</p>
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<p><strong><i>Check the week’s <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl">NFL news and scores</a> and browse our list of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/blogs#football">NFL blogs</a>.</i></strong></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2011/12/12/2628886/nfl-scores-standings-2011-falcons-saints-bucs-panthersKris Willis2011-12-11T16:26:57-05:002011-12-11T16:26:57-05:00Falcons Vs. Panthers Final Score: Falcons Comeback To Win 31-23, Keep Playoff Hopes Alive
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<p>If the Falcons showed us anything in their 31-23 win over the division-rival Panthers today, it was resiliency. Down 23-7 at the half, they pulled out all the stops on offense and absolutely clamped down on defense to drop <i>24 unanswered points</i> on Carolina in the second half.</p>
<p>After <span>Olindo Mare</span> missed what was about a 36-yard field goal attempt, the Falcons got the ball back at their own 25-yard line with over five minutes left in the game, hoping to run out some clock and extend their lead. However, <span>Julio Jones</span> had other things in mind. On only the second play of the possession, Matt Ryan hooked up with Jones on a <i>75-yard </i>catch and run that he took all the way to the end zone, extending the Falcons' lead to eight points.</p>
<p>After that the defense held up, stopping the Panthers on fourth down deep in Falcons territory, and then simply elected to pound away with Turner to kill clock and seal the 31-23 victory.</p>
<p>But what a transformation from the first half to the second! Ryan would finish the day having gone 22-for-38 with 320 yards passing and four touchdowns, but to be honest he and the entire offense looked absolutely atrocious for the first 30 minutes of play.</p>
<p>You have to give credit to the coaching staff for this victory: they took a Falcons team that entered half time with their tails between their legs and sent them out hungry for a W. Julio showed that amazing big-play potential of his. Turner was steady pounding the rock between the tackles.</p>
<p>Most of all, the defense really clamped down, forcing Cam Newton to make a couple of costly mistakes and generally keeping him uncomfortable in the pocket all second half.</p>
<p>Perhaps most importantly for the Falcons, with this win they improve to 8-5 and keep their playoff hopes alive for another week.</p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><i style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><span style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; font-style: normal; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><i style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><b style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more on the <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #002c66; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Falcons</a>, check out <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #002c66; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://thefalcoholic.com/">The Falcoholic</a> and for more on the <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #002c66; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Carolina Panthers</a> go visit <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #002c66; text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://catscratchreader.com/">Cat Scratch Reader</a>.</b></i></span></i></span></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2011/12/11/2628688/atlanta-falcons-carolina-panthers-week-14-final-score-winTurnerTheBurner2011-12-11T15:36:34-05:002011-12-11T15:36:34-05:00Falcons Vs. Panthers Update: Matt Ryan, Julio Jones Connect On TD As Falcons Take Lead 24-23
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<p>If the second quarter represented the very worst of what the Falcons had to offer, the third quarter symbolized perhaps the <i>best </i>they have to offer. A revitalized offense, two Cam Newton interceptions and 10 unanswered points suddenly have the Falcons alive and well in this one.</p>
<p>On defense, the coverage has tightened up, and Newton has begun showing his inexperience at times. On only their second possession of the quarter, Mike Peterson- who had an interception negated by penalty last week- picked off Newton on an attempted shovel-screen pass to <span>Jonathan Stewart</span>.</p>
<p>The ensuing possession by the Falcons was short, but sweet. Two plays, capped off by a 31-yard touchdown pass to <span>Jacquizz Rodgers</span> of all people. Rodgers ran a wheel route and beat out <span>James Anderson</span>, who was in man coverage on the play. Matt Ryan lofted an absolutely beautiful pass after struggling with the deep ball all season. The defense would follow the score up with another inspired stand against Newton and the Panthers' run game.</p>
<p>Then, as the game progressed from the third to the fourth quarter, Ryan led the offense on a 10-play, 90-yard scoring drive that was capped off by a 17-yard pass to <span>Julio Jones</span> for a touchdown. <span>Michael Turner</span> finally started returning to form, eating up some tough yards on runs up the middle, and Tony Gonzalez was as consistent and clutch as ever.</p>
<p>All in all, the Falcons have managed to come <i>all the way</i> back from being down 23-7 at the half, dropping 17 unanswered points on a Panthers team that looks a little stunned to stay the least. Stay tuned.</p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><i style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><span style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; font-style: normal; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><i style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><b style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more on the <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #002c66; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Falcons</a>, check out <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #002c66; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://thefalcoholic.com/">The Falcoholic</a> and for more on the <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #002c66; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Carolina Panthers</a> go visit <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #002c66; text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://catscratchreader.com/">Cat Scratch Reader</a>.</b></i></span></i></span></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2011/12/11/2628577/atlanta-falcons-carolina-panthers-week-14-update-matt-ryan-jacquizz-rodgers-touchdown-comebackTurnerTheBurner2011-12-11T14:34:21-05:002011-12-11T14:34:21-05:00Falcons Vs. Panthers Halftime Score: Falcons Implode, Trail 23-7 At The Half
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<p>The Falcons entered the second quarter tied at 7-7 with the Panthers, but they enter the locker room now trailing <i>23-7</i> at halftime. Where to begin?</p>
<p>The catalyst that broke this game wide open for the Panthers was none other than much-maligned former first rounder <span>Sam Baker</span>. On third and six inside their own 10, Baker was easily beaten by his man <span>Antwan Applewhite</span>, who then sacked Matt Ryan in the end zone for a safety.</p>
<p>Then on the second play of the ensuing possession, <span>DeAngelo Williams</span> got the pitch and took it 74 yards to the house (untouched, I might add). That score would put Carolina up 16-7.</p>
<p>After forcing the Falcons to go three-and-out, Cam Newton would then find <span>Greg Olsen</span> on a screen pass on <i>third and fourteen</i>. Olsen would catch that pass and take 44 yards down the field for another score, extending the Panthers' lead to 23-7 and blowing this football game wide open.</p>
<p>Both Sam Baker and <span>Joe Hawley</span>, who each spent time at right guard, struggled mightily. In fact, the entire offensive line seemed to experience a major regression and completely failed to give Ryan any sort of time in the pocket. For the Falcons, they may be watching the sun set on their playoff hopes this afternoon, and barring some strong second-half adjustments or a big-time comeback by the offense, this one looks to be in the hands of Carolina.</p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><i style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><span style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; font-style: normal; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><i style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><b style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more on the <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #002c66; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Falcons</a>, check out <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #002c66; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://thefalcoholic.com/">The Falcoholic</a> and for more on the <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #002c66; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Carolina Panthers</a> go visit <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #002c66; text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://catscratchreader.com/">Cat Scratch Reader</a>.</b></i></span></i></span></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2011/12/11/2628425/atlanta-falcons-carolina-panthers-week-14-halftime-score-deangelo-williams-sam-bakerTurnerTheBurner