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CAR |
ATL |
Falcons clinch playoff spot, beat Panthers on Bryant's 5 FGs
ATLANTA (AP) The Atlanta Falcons have no complaints about a short practice week and a long road trip as their reward for being the NFC's last team to make the playoffs.
Matt Bryant kicked five field goals, including a 56-yarder, for all of Atlanta's second-half points and the Falcons clinched a playoff spot by beating the Carolina Panthers 22-10 on Sunday.
Atlanta (10-6) is the No. 6 seed in the NFC and will play at the Los Angeles Rams in a wild-card game Saturday night.
''We're in it. That's the only thing you can ask for,'' Bryant said.
After the teams played to a 7-7 halftime tie, the 42-year-old Bryant kicked field goals of 30, 42, 30, 56 and 33 yards without a miss.
''We needed every point we could get today,'' Bryant said.
On a day when Cam Newton and the Panthers' offense struggled, Bryant's 15 points provided a margin too great for Carolina to overcome.
The Panthers were held to 248 total yards.
''We didn't play well enough to win,'' tight end Greg Olsen said. ''We can lie to ourselves, but we just didn't play well enough offensively to win.''
The Panthers (11-5) had a playoff spot secured entering the weekend, but they couldn't improve their position.
Minnesota's 23-10 win over Chicago earlier Sunday ended the Panthers' hopes of a first-round bye. The loss to the Falcons ended Carolina's goal of winning the NFC South, and the Panthers will open the playoffs at New Orleans on Sunday.
Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn said the Panthers have to move past the loss quickly.
''It's time to let this one go,'' Munnerlyn said. ''We don't have time to let this loss linger on. It's playoff time. We've got to let it go, move forward and get ready for New Orleans.''
Matt Ryan completed 28 of 45 passes for 317 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown pass to Devonta Freeman on Atlanta's opening drive, and no interceptions.
The Panthers pulled even on Newton's 4-yard scoring pass to Devin Funchess late in the first half.
Newton threw three second-half interceptions. The third interception, by Robert Alford in the end zone with 8 seconds remaining, ended the Panthers' final drive. Newton completed 14 of 34 passes for 180 yards and one touchdown. He led Carolina with 59 yards rushing, including a 17-yarder.
Newton said facing the Falcons, who faced a must-win situation, created a playoff environment.
''This is playoff football,'' Newton said. ''This was a hostile environment today and the way it's looking we're going to have a lot of hostile environments to go into.''
The Panthers' only offensive highlight was a 16-play touchdown drive that consumed more than half of the second quarter and tied the game at 7. Newton completed a 27-yard pass to Brenton Bersin on a third-and-23 play to set up his scoring pass to Funchess.
The Falcons will be playing for a repeat trip to the Super Bowl.
''All you want is an opportunity,'' said defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who had a sack and three tackles for losses. ''We have one. Now it's up to us to take advantage of it.''
SLOW START
Newton was 0 for 9 before finally completing his final seven passes of the first half. Newton completed his first pass to McCaffrey - for a loss of 3 yards - midway through the second quarter.
MILESTONE FOR JULIO
Julio Jones caught a 14-yard pass midway through the third quarter to reach 9,000 career yards faster than any receiver since the 1970 merger.
The two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl selection last month set the league mark with the most catches and yards receiving in a receiver's first 90 games.
Jones finished with five catches for 80 yards, giving him 9,054 for his career.
TD ERASED ON REVIEW
With the game tied in the third quarter, the Falcons had an apparent touchdown taken off the board when a review showed Mohamed Sanu didn't maintain control of a 12-yard catch in the end zone. The ball hit the ground after Sanu collided with Jones, who also was crossing to the middle of the end zone.
The Falcons settled for Bryant's first 30-yard field goal for a 10-7 lead.
NO STEWART
Running back Jonathan Stewart was scratched due to back tightness. The Panthers also were without two more starters: safety Kurt Coleman (ankle), and right guard Trai Turner (concussion).
UP NEXT
Panthers: Carolina will play at New Orleans on Sunday in the first round of the NFC playoffs.
Falcons: Atlanta will visit the Rams on Saturday in the first round of the playoffs.
---
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Copyright 2017 by AP. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of AP is strictly prohibited.
C. Newton
1 QB 180 PaYds, PaTD, 3 INTs, 59 RuYds |
12
FPTS
|
|
M. Ryan
2 QB 317 PaYds, PaTD, 14 RuYds |
19
FPTS
|
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | - | - |
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
C. NewtonÂ
1 QB
12 FPTS
|
C. Newton | 14/34 | 180 | 1 | 3 | 12 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
C. NewtonÂ
1 QB
12 FPTS
|
C. Newton | 11 | 59 | 0 | 17 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Artis-PayneÂ
34 RB
1 FPTS
|
C. Artis-Payne | 5 | 16 | 0 | 12 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. McCaffreyÂ
22 RB
5 FPTS
|
C. McCaffrey | 6 | 14 | 0 | 8 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
F. WhittakerÂ
43 RB
0 FPTS
|
F. Whittaker | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. ClayÂ
12 WR
1 FPTS
|
K. Clay | 1 | -2 | 0 | -2 | 1 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
D. FunchessÂ
17 WR
10 FPTS
|
D. Funchess | 6 | 2 | 48 | 1 | 44 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. McCaffreyÂ
22 RB
5 FPTS
|
C. McCaffrey | 8 | 5 | 40 | 0 | 20 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. BersinÂ
11 WR
3 FPTS
|
B. Bersin | 4 | 2 | 36 | 0 | 27 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
E. DicksonÂ
84 TE
2 FPTS
|
E. Dickson | 3 | 2 | 22 | 0 | 11 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. ClayÂ
12 WR
1 FPTS
|
K. Clay | 2 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 15 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
G. OlsenÂ
88 TE
1 FPTS
|
G. Olsen | 9 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
F. WhittakerÂ
43 RB
0 FPTS
|
F. Whittaker | 1 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
L. KuechlyÂ
59 MLB
|
L. Kuechly | 8-2 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. DavisÂ
58 OLB
|
T. Davis | 8-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. WorleyÂ
26 CB
|
D. Worley | 5-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. MunnerlynÂ
41 DB
|
C. Munnerlyn | 5-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. AdamsÂ
29 SS
|
M. Adams | 5-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Green-ThompsonÂ
54 OLB
|
S. Green-Thompson | 4-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. BradberryÂ
24 CB
|
J. Bradberry | 3-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. ShortÂ
99 DT
|
K. Short | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. JonesÂ
42 FS
|
C. Jones | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. HortonÂ
96 DE
|
W. Horton | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. ShepardÂ
19 WR
|
R. Shepard | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. FunchessÂ
17 WR
|
D. Funchess | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. ButlerÂ
92 DT
|
V. Butler | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. JacobsÂ
53 LB
|
B. Jacobs | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. ClayÂ
12 WR
|
K. Clay | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. ByrdÂ
31 DB
|
J. Byrd | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. LoveÂ
93 DE
|
K. Love | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. AddisonÂ
97 DE
|
M. Addison | 1-1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. MayoÂ
55 MLB
|
D. Mayo | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
G. GanoÂ
9 K
4 FPTS
|
G. Gano | 1/1 | 42 | 1/1 | 4 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
M. PalardyÂ
5 P
|
M. Palardy | 7 | 47.0 | 0 | 60 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
K. ClayÂ
12 WR
1 FPTS
|
K. Clay | 1 | 19.0 | 19 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
K. Clay 12 WR
1 FPTS
|
K. Clay | 2 | 7.5 | 8 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
M. RyanÂ
2 QB
19 FPTS
|
M. Ryan | 28/45 | 317 | 1 | 0 | 19 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
T. ColemanÂ
26 RB
3 FPTS
|
T. Coleman | 11 | 23 | 0 | 6 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. FreemanÂ
24 RB
16 FPTS
|
D. Freeman | 11 | 23 | 0 | 5 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. RyanÂ
2 QB
19 FPTS
|
M. Ryan | 3 | 14 | 0 | 13 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. SanuÂ
12 WR
7 FPTS
|
M. Sanu | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
D. FreemanÂ
24 RB
16 FPTS
|
D. Freeman | 11 | 9 | 85 | 1 | 26 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. JonesÂ
11 WR
8 FPTS
|
J. Jones | 11 | 5 | 80 | 0 | 27 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. SanuÂ
12 WR
7 FPTS
|
M. Sanu | 11 | 7 | 71 | 0 | 18 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. HooperÂ
81 TE
3 FPTS
|
A. Hooper | 3 | 3 | 35 | 0 | 24 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. HardyÂ
14 WR
3 FPTS
|
J. Hardy | 3 | 2 | 32 | 0 | 17 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. ColemanÂ
26 RB
3 FPTS
|
T. Coleman | 2 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. GabrielÂ
18 WR
0 FPTS
|
T. Gabriel | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
D. JonesÂ
45 MLB
|
D. Jones | 5-5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. NealÂ
22 SS
|
K. Neal | 4-1 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. RubinÂ
79 DT
|
A. Rubin | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. CampbellÂ
59 OLB
|
D. Campbell | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. JarrettÂ
97 DT
|
G. Jarrett | 3-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. RileyÂ
42 OLB
|
D. Riley | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. AlfordÂ
23 CB
|
R. Alford | 2-0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. TrufantÂ
21 CB
|
D. Trufant | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. UpshawÂ
91 DE
|
C. Upshaw | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. IshmaelÂ
36 SS
|
K. Ishmael | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. PooleÂ
34 CB
|
B. Poole | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. ColemanÂ
40 FB
|
D. Coleman | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. BeasleyÂ
44 OLB
|
V. Beasley | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. ShelbyÂ
90 DE
|
D. Shelby | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. McKinleyÂ
98 DE
|
T. McKinley | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. ReedÂ
50 DE
|
B. Reed | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. PoeÂ
92 DT
|
D. Poe | 0-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. AllenÂ
37 FS
|
R. Allen | 0-2 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
M. BryantÂ
3 K
16 FPTS
|
M. Bryant | 5/5 | 56 | 1/1 | 16 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
M. BosherÂ
5 P
|
M. Bosher | 5 | 46.6 | 2 | 54 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
A. Roberts 19 WR
0 FPTS
|
A. Roberts | 4 | 4.5 | 9 | 0 |