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SPORTSMonday 28 December 2015
Panthers’ bid for perfect season ends with loss to Falcons
CHARLES ODUM pass to Corey Brown on first scoring run to cap the Pan-
Associated Press down but fumbled when thers’ opening drive.
Atlanta (AP) - Carolina’s stripped by Vic Beasley Jr. Carolina needed a win,
bid for an undefeated sea- on the following play. Adri- or a loss or tie by Arizona
son ended Sunday when an Clayborn recovered for against Green Bay, to
Julio Jones’ dramatic 70- the Falcons, wrapping up clinch home-field advan-
yard touchdown recep- the win. tage for the NFC playoffs.
tion powered the Atlanta Matt Ryan threw for 306 Jones got the best of his
Falcons to a 20-13 victory yards and one touchdown matchup with Carolina
over Cam Newton and the for the Falcons (8-7), and cornerback Josh Norman.
Panthers. Devonta Freeman ran Jones had nine catches for
Carolina (14-1) got the ball for 73 yards with a touch- 178 yards. The touchdown
with 90 seconds left and no down. Newton threw for catch in the third quarter
timeouts remaining. New- 142 yards and ran for 46 compares with the best of
ton completed a 19-yard yards, including an 8-yard Jones’ career highlights.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) makes a catch
against Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59)
during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec.
27, 2015, in Atlanta. Jones scored a touchdown on the play.
The Falcons beat the Panthers 20-13, ending the Panthers’ bid
for a perfect season.
(AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Jones reached above loose ball. Norman made
linebacker Luke Kuech- the recovery and returned
ly for the catch as Pan- it 12 yards. Graham Ga-
thers safety Kurt Coleman no’s 47-yard field goal cut
slipped, leaving a clear Atlanta’s lead to 14-13.
path for Jones to the end There was an expecta-
zone. The play put Atlanta tion officials would call
ahead to stay at 14-10. the game closely follow-
Atlanta’s Shayne Graham ing complaints that play
kicked field goals of 37 and was allowed to get out
54 yards in the final 2:30. of hand in the Panthers’
The last field goal pushed game against the Giants
Atlanta’s lead to seven last week. Postgame fall-
points with 1:30 remaining. out included a one-game
Carolina trailed 14-10 in the suspension for New York
fourth quarter when Ryan wide receiver Odell Beck-
mishandled a shotgun ham Jr. and Norman being
snap from the Panthers 37. fined $26,044 for his role in
Ryan couldn’t pick up the several incidents.q
