North Charlotte Today

A notable sequence occurred at the end of the first half during the Panthers' game against the Falcons. As the Falcons advanced towards a touchdown, the Panthers strategically called timeouts, demonstrating confidence in their offensive capabilities. Quarterback Andy Dalton capitalized on this strategy by scoring a touchdown in the final moments of the half, showcasing his growing comfort within the system.

Despite Dalton's efforts, including a 221-yard performance with two touchdowns and two interceptions, the Panthers were unable to secure enough defensive stops and ultimately lost 38-20 to Atlanta. The team's defense was significantly weakened due to injuries to key players such as Derrick Brown, Shaq Thompson, Jadeveon Clowney, and Josey Jewell.

Dalton's connection with wide receiver Xavier Legette before halftime brought some optimism for Carolina's offense. This reduced their deficit to 22-17 instead of facing a larger gap going into halftime. However, Atlanta maintained control throughout most of the game by scoring on seven out of nine possessions and accumulating 423 total yards.

On offense, Dalton demonstrated mobility with an 18-yard scramble under pressure. The restructured offensive line performed adequately despite minor issues like false starts from Ikem Ekwonu and a hot snap from Brady Christensen. Running back Chuba Hubbard also continued his strong performance streak with 92 rushing yards on 18 carries.