Panthers rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald played a key role in the team’s 30-27 overtime victory against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Fitzgerald secured his third walk-off game-winning field goal of the season, making a 28-yard kick that ended the contest.
Defensive tackle Derrick Brown commented on the confidence the team has in Fitzgerald, saying, “Yeah, you’re damn right. He earned it.”
Fitzgerald reflected on his performance and his personal history playing in Georgia, stating, “Let’s go, winning record here now.” He noted this was his first overtime game-winner and acknowledged feeling more comfortable with each opportunity: “I don’t know. I mean, it’s a third one now. It’s just, you know, a little more comfortable each time. Obviously, in a different situation, overtime, my first overtime, that was different.”
He credited tight end Tommy Tremble’s 54-yard catch-and-run for setting up the short field goal attempt: “I was like, let’s go, I was so excited, what a great play. I mean, the whole team just fought and fought in that second half, but yeah, the big play by Tommy, I mean, set me up for a chip shot, so it’s like just do my job and get out of here.”
When asked if these moments were becoming routine for him after three game-winners this season—including previous kicks against Dallas and Green Bay—Fitzgerald responded: “I mean, it’s still super exciting each time but yeah it’s fun. It’s fun.”
This season Fitzgerald has converted 17 of 20 field goal attempts.
Quarterback Bryce Young also set a franchise record with 448 passing yards during Sunday’s win. Nine Panthers players caught passes as part of an offensive effort that contributed to overcoming Atlanta. The defense limited the Falcons to 91 yards in the second half and overtime.
Young spoke about how contributions from across the roster have become standard for Carolina: “Learned nothing,” he said. “Again we’re resilient. We believe in each other. We trust each other; we’re confident. But that confidence comes from the work we put in from the coaching staff from the team us just buying in… And for 24 hours we’re going to enjoy it and then it’s time to turn the page… So again we all trust each other we know the work we have to put in and now on Monday we have to recommit to doing that putting that work in during the week.”
With this win Carolina improves its record to 6-5 and remains close behind in pursuit of first place in their division.
