Panthers get second win
Pineiro’s third FG knocks off Falcons
Panthers 9 Falcons 7
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Panthers interim coach Chris Tabor has spent three years coaching Eddy Pineiro in Chicago and now Carolina, and his confidence level in the 28-year-old kicker is unwavering.
That’s why Tabor had running back Chuba Hubbard intentionally take a dive before the goal line after picking up a first down, rather than trying to score a touchdown in order to run more time off the clock. And it’s why he had Bryce Young take a knee on three straight snaps before sending Pineiro on the field to win the game on a slick, rain-soaked field with :01 showing on the clock.
Pineiro rewarded his coach by calmly kicking a 23-yard field goal, his third of the game, as time expired as the Panthers defeated Atlanta, 9-7, amid a steady downpour Sunday for just their second win (212), dealing the Falcons’ playoff hopes a huge blow.
“We have a lot of confidence in our kicker,” Tabor said. “We’re on the 2- or 3-yard line, the ball right in the middle. I like our chances. And that way you end the game right there.”
The Falcons (6-8) entered the game tied with New Orleans and Tampa Bay for first place in the NFC South, but now finds themselves needing help to get into the postseason after the Saints and Buccaneers both won to get to 7-7.
“This one stings,” said Falcons coach Arthur Smith. “This was not the result we expected.”
Young threw for 167 yards and Hubbard ran for 87 yards on 22 carries.
The Falcons led, 7-6, and were driving for more points when Desmond Ridder threw into traffic and was intercepted at the Carolina 5 by safety Xavier Woods.
Young, who had struggled all afternoon, led the Panthers on a 17play, 90-yard drive that took the final 7:35 off the clock.
The win snapped a six-game losing streak.
“I was really happy for our guys that they were able to break through,” Tabor said. “Sometimes you knock at the door all of the time and no one answers. And sooner or later, you have to kick it down. And we did that tonight.”
Ridder finished 12 of 22 for 152 yards with one touchdown and the one costly pick.
Interest in the Panthers has long faded, and tickets were selling for $4 on Internet resale websites before the game as bad weather moved in.
The Falcons broke a scoreless tie in the second quarter when Ridder connected with a wide-open Jonnu Smith for a 56-yard reception, setting up a 2-yard shovel pass to Cordarrelle Patterson.
Carolina had a chance to tie it late in the first half, but the drive ended in the red zone with Young taking his 50th sack of the season. The Panthers were forced to settle for Pineiro’s 34-yard field goal, marking the fifth straight game they’ve scored just 3 points in the first half.
Late in the third, Troy Hill stripped Bijan Robinson and Brian Burns recovered at the Falcons’ 24. But the normally surehanded Adam Thielen dropped a would-be touchdown pass and the Panthers had to settle for Pineiro’s 25-yard field goal, cutting the lead to 7-6.
Ridder’s ill-advised interception gave the Panthers one last chance, and Young made the Falcons pay. The No. 1 overall pick was 5 of 5 for 68 yards on the final drive, including 20-yard pass to fellow rookie Jonathan Mingo on third and 3.
“We all have faith in each other and we all believe in each other,” Young said. “It was just a great opportunity. Being in the huddle and being able to look at each other, we all had the same look in our eyes. We all had confidence that we would be able to put it together.”