Panthers-Falcons live updates: Stephon Gilmore INT helps end Carolina’s four-game skid
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Panthers at Falcons
Expanded coverage of Carolina’s Week 8 game
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Four losses in a row for the Carolina Panthers, and the oddsmakers in Las Vegas don’t see that changing anytime soon.
A week after Sam Darnold got benched in a 25-3 loss at the New York Giants, the Panthers head to Atlanta as 3-point underdogs to the Falcons — the team they’re battling with to stay out of last place in the NFC South.
The Panthers will again be without the services of running back Christian McCaffrey today. McCaffrey remains on injured reserve after suffering a hamstring injury in Week 3 at the Houston Texans. The good news for them is that Stephon Gilmore will make his Carolina debut — his first time in a Panthers uniform since being traded from the New England Patriots.
The Observer has four journalists at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta for the Panthers-Falcons game, including beat reporters Ellis Williams and Jonathan M. Alexander and columnist Scott Fowler. We’ll have updates for you on this page throughout the game (refresh for the latest) and expanded coverage after on CharlotteObserver.com.
What’s the score of the Panthers game?
Koo FG: Panthers 19, Falcons 13
Younghoe Koo drilled a 53-yard field goal with 16 seconds remaining to make it a one-possession game. Atlanta then attempted an onside kick but couldn’t recover.
Stephon Gilmore interception
The Panthers needed one play to put this game away and got it from Stephon Gilmore, making his debut for Carolina.
One first-and-10 from the Panthers’ 30, Falcons QB Matt Ryan was looking for Kyle Pitts across the middle but didn’t see Gilmore in coverage, who intercepted the pass to seal the victory.
Chuba Hubbard TD: Panthers 19, Falcons 10
For the first time in almost eight quarters, the Carolina Panthers have scored a touchdown.
After Sam Darnold was knocked out of the game with an injury — replaced by PJ Walker for the second straight game — Hubbard took a handoff on second-and-goal from the 6-yard-line to find the end zone.
There’s 6:30 to play.
Gonzalez TD: Panthers 12, Falcons 10
Another Carolina Panthers drive. Another Zane Gonzalez field goal.
Gonzalez is 4 of 4 today, including this kick from 23 yards out to give the Panthers their first lead of the game.
Robby Anderson hit hard
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Robby Anderson had to leave the game after a violet hit he was on the receiving end of.
On first-and-10 from the Atlanta 45, Sam Darnold threw to an open Anderson who thought he had room to turn and run but was drilled by Erik Harris. The ball popped loose and fell incomplete as Anderson fell to the turf injured.
He left the field under his own power.
Gonzalez FG: Falcons 10, Panthers 9
Zane Gonzalez has set his season-long field goal mark twice in the first half, this time with a 57-yarder as time expired in the second quarter.
No touchdowns for the Panthers for the sixth consecutive quarter, but they’re only down by 1.
Welcome back, Shaq Thompson
Shaq Thompson made his return from injury for the Panthers today and just came up with a huge play with 3:32 until halftime.
Thompson intercepted a Matt Ryan pass at the Panthers’ 15 on second-and-8 and returned it to the 25 to give Carolina the ball back and a chance to take the lead before halftime. Remember, the Falcons deferred and will get the ball to start the third quarter.
It was Thompson’s second interception of the season and the fifth Ryan has thrown.
Gonzalez FG: Falcons 10, Panthers 6
Zane Gonzalez connected on his second field of the day, this time from 51 yards out — a season-long for him.
Of note about that drive is nothing peculiar about that drive, but rather that Carolina has now only scored a touchdown in two of its last 30 drives.
Patterson TD: Falcons 10, Panthers 3
Matt Ryan stood in the pocket on third-and-2 from the Panthers’ 15 while facing the pressure from DaQuan Jones and found and open Cordarrelle Patterson for the score early in the second quarter. That capped off an 8-play, 61-yard drive.
Ryan is 6-of-8 passing for 48 yards and a touchdown.
Gonzalez FG: Falcons 3, Panthers 3
Carolina thought it was about to take the lead with a beautiful 11-yard touchdown pass from Darnold to DJ Moore, but more bobbled it falling out of the end zone. (The Panthers challenged the call of incomplete on the field, which stood after review.) Zane Gonzalez followed with a 29-yard field goal to tie the game.
Koo FG: Falcons 3, Panthers 0
Atlanta was only able to get 3 points off the turnover in Panthers territory. After a 2-yard run on the Falcons’ first play by Mike Davis, quarterback Matt Ryan was sacked by Haason Reddick for a loss of 4 yards. Ryan followed that up with an incomplete pass, setting up the 46-yard field goal by Younghoe Koo.
Chuba Hubbard fumble
On the first play of the game, Sam Darnold handed the ball off to running back Chuba Hubbard, who fumbled. The Falcons recovered at Carolina’s 26.
Coin toss
The Falcons won the toss and deferred. The Panthers will receive the opening kickoff.
What time do the Panthers play?
The Carolina Panthers play at the Atlanta Falcons at 1 p.m. ET.
What channel is the Panthers game on?
You can watch the Panthers-Falcons game on FOX. In Charlotte, that means WJZY or streaming on YouTube TV, FuboTV, Hulu+ Live TV, Vidigo or SlingTV.
If you live outside the Panthers market, the game can be found on NFL Sunday Ticket for subscribers.
What uniforms and the Panthers and Falcons wearing?
The Panthers are wearing white tops on white pants. The Falcons are wearing black tops with white pants.
Who’s inactive for the Panthers-Falcons game?
Panthers: CB CJ Henderson, LB Kamal Martin, DT Phil Hoskins, WR Terrace Marshall Jr.
Falcons: WR Calvin Ridley, LB Dorian Etheridge, DL John Cominsky, OL Josh Andrews, DL Ta’Quon Graham, RB Wayne Gallman.
This story was originally published October 31, 2021 at 11:37 AM with the headline "Panthers-Falcons live updates: Stephon Gilmore INT helps end Carolina’s four-game skid."
