‘Tis the Season: Falcons whisk away the Panthers

Yay-yes.    

The Atlanta Falcons win their third game of the season against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, NC.

Televised by Fox, the game was tied for most of the four quarters.  Atlanta put the first touchdown on the board (thanks to running back Warrick Dunn) in the first quarter.  Carolina matched those points in the second quarter with a fumble recovery TD by cornerback Ken Lucas.   The 7-7 tie became a 10 to 10 in the  bottom of the third quarter and then 13-13 in the fourth quarter (two field goals per team).  Falcons tight end Alge Crumpler broke the 13 to 13 tie in the final minute of the fourth quarter, giving Atlanta a 20 to 13 win.

Observations & Miscellania:

1.  Not ten “running time” minutes pass after one of the Fox commentators mentioned that Alge Crumpler hadn’t been too participatory in the game and then Crumpler makes a clincher of a touchdown. Isn’t it ironic?

2.  Falcons owner Arthur Blank shook Falcons head coach Bobby Petrino’s hand after the game as they both walked across the field.

3.  Should I be glad that this game was at Charlotte rather than in Atlanta? Not only does it mean that the Panthers haven’t won an at-home game in a year, but I got to watch it on TV.  If the game was played in Atlanta and not sold out, I wouldn’t have seen it.

For game summary, stats, and play by play, click here.