Oct 29, 2020; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) calls out an audible during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
The Atlanta Falcons didn’t follow their usual script, as they held on in the fourth-quarter to defeat the Carolina Panthers.
When it comes to the Atlanta Falcons, football diehards can’t help but chuckle at the fact that they always find ways to blow leads in the fourth-quarter. Ever since they let Tom Brady and the New England Patriots have the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history, they’ve been perpetually shook in crunch time. Over three years later, it’s finally over.
On Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers, the Falcons almost entered prime choking territory after running back Todd Gurley ran out of bounds on third down with a 25-17 lead. That allowed the Panthers to have over two minutes to potentially tie things up with three timeouts at their disposal. The Falcons got a scare after quarterback Teddy Bridgewater converted on a third-and-17 on a 42-yard pass to D.J. Moore. However, the comeback bid was all for naught, as Bridgewater threw a pick to cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson to secure the victory for Atlanta.
That’s right, the Falcons didn’t blow a fourth-quarter lead, and Twitter couldn’t believe it!
The Falcons left social media stunned in disbelief
The Falcons, ironically, could have had a 26-17 lead late in the fourth quarter, but that never came to fruition due to a missed extra point by kicker Younghoe Koo. Perhaps no one was happier to see Wreh-Wilson secure the interception than the onside kick specialist!
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan managed to complete 21-of-30 pass attempts for 289 yards and one interception. Ryan did get a touchdown on the board, but that came on a 13-yard run in the second-quarter. Gurley owned the other Atlanta touchdown, which came on a three-yard rush in the third.
Now, Atlanta improved their record to 2-6 on the season. While yes, it does hurt their chances of getting a high first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, Falcons fans aren’t worried about that. After watching their squad blow leads against the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions, this season, they’re just happy to see them actually close out a game.