The Panthers remain the NFL’s only unbeaten team as they try to join those Dolphins as the only squads in league history to run the table on an entire season.
Both teams could still be chasing a playoff spot, but the Panthers’ offense racked up 424 yards against the Falcons during Sunday’s win and with home advantage against the Bucs, neither should pose too many problems. “That’s what I expect from our club”. “All along I have told our guys we are taking each week one at a time”.
With 435 yards and 29 first downs, Green Bay got better production out of its inconsistent offence with coach Mike McCarthy assuming play-calling duties again. “Nobody wants to be part of that, but we’ve got to find a way to get it done”.
Falcon quarterback Matt Ryan did complete 22-of-34 passes, but managed just 224 yards and threw his 14th interception of the season, which is the most of any passer in the NFC.
The Panthers finished with five sacks on the day.
The Atlanta native added to his impressive resume, completing 15 of 21 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns as the Panthers clinched a first-round bye in the NFC playoffs.
There were plenty of those go to around Sunday afternoon as Newton threw three touchdown passes, including two in the first half to wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr., as the Panthers punished the Atlanta Falcons 38-0 at Bank of America Stadium.
“That was one that I handled in-house with both of them”, Quinn said. You see him finishing runs.
They never recovered from the Tampa Bay game and that was evident by their lethargic play against the Panthers. “Then the powers that be will tell us if we’re playing or not and how much we’re going to play”.
However, the Panthers’ 17th straight regular-season win could be a costly one as at least nine players were dinged up.
The next Carolina possession ended with Newton’s 74-yard touchdown strike to Ginn, who made the catch and subsequent run despite an illegal contact penalty on Atlanta cornerback Robert Alford. The rout was on.
Well, a week after Carolina clinched its third straight NFC South title, the Falcons fell for the seventh time in eight games.