Disappearing act for Panthers' D

Disappearing act for Panthers' D
By David Scott
dscott@charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/568/story/373079.html

ATLANTA – The Carolina Panthers’ usually reliable defense fell apart Sunday in a 45-28 loss against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome.

The Panthers came into the game ranked eighth in the NFL in total defense, fifth in pass defense and third in points allowed. But after Carolina’s offense found its rhythm in the second half – cutting a 17-0 Falcons lead to 24-21 – the defense allowed Atlanta to answer with a game-clinching and spirit-breaking touchdown in the fourth quarter.

“I still think that team knows they got away with one,” Panthers linebacker Jon Beason said of the Falcons. “Regardless of what the score says.”

Still, it was Beason and his fellow defenders who couldn’t stop the Falcons from rolling up 392 yards in total offense –nearly 100 yards more than the 293 per game Panthers were allowing entering the game.

Falcons rookie quarterback Matt Ryan picked apart the Panthers secondary, throwing for 259 yards (Carolina was allowing 185.4 per game). Atlanta also rushed for 133 yards, better than the 117.6 per game the Panthers had been giving up.

“We blocked better,” said Falcons coach Mike Smith. “We ran with more desire and passion. That was the difference.”

The Falcons opened the game quickly, going up 10-0, then 17-3 while moving the ball with apparent ease on a beleaguered Panthers defense which obviously wasn’t ready to play.

It was reminiscent of Carolina’s starts in recent games against Arizona and Detroit, in which the Panthers had to overcome early deficits to win.

“I have no explanation for it,” said safety Chris Harris. “A good team will make you pay for it and this one did.”

Running back Michael Turner (117 yards on 19 carries and four touchdowns) was finding huge holes to run through. Ryan had plenty of time to hit receivers like Harry Douglas, Roddy White and Michael Jenkins, each of whom caught four passes.

But after the Panthers had taken the steam out of the Georgia Dome crowd by closing to 24-21 on a 12-yard touchdown run by quarterback Jake Delhomme and a two-point conversion run by DeAngelo Williams, the Falcons regained their offensive footing.

On Atlanta’s next possession, facing a third-and-11, Ryan hit Douglas on a 69-yard pass to the Carolina 6. After the Falcons took three plays to get it to the one, Turner scored on a fourth down.

“It was an attitude thing,” said Turner. “We had to get it in there. We didn’t want to settle for a field goal at that time because they were still in the game.”

The Panthers now prepare for a game next Sunday at Green Bay, another quality team they probably won’t be able to start slowly against and expect to survive.

“It’s a little frustrating,” said Harris. “We played well the first half of the season. We’ve got to buckle down and play our best in late November and December. We’ve got to get it right before it’s too late.”