Carolina was one point away from a four-way tie atop the NFC South. 48 yards. An extra point. And that missed kick turn what was up to that point a season of near redemption for Panthers into a possible top 2 pick in the 2023 draft. For that Falcons, that missed kick has them playing every week now for a chance to host a playoff game.
12 days ago, the panthers and Falcons met at Mercedes Benz Stadium for a game that has ended up becoming one of the more memorable ones in their series history. After a Younghoe Koo 34 yard field goal with :36 left in the fourth quarter, the Falcons found themselves up 34-28. All that was needed from the defense was to not give up a game tying touchdown. That did not happen.
DJ Moore was able to get behind two Falcons defenders for a 62 yard touchdown catch with :12 remaining, tying the game at 34. All the Panthers would need was an Eddie Pinero extra point and they could steal a divisional road game that would've had them tied atop the NFC south in first place. However, DJ Moore got a personal foul penalty for removing his helmet, making the extra point 48 yards. And Eddie Pinero missed it, bringing on overtime. Then, after a Marcus Mariota interception and 54 yard return by CJ Henderson, the Panthers were sitting sweet for another chance to end the game with a field goal. Eddie Pinero missed this one as well, a 32 yard one. The Falcons got the ball back and marched 55 yards and Younghoe walked it off for the home team with a 41 yard field goal.
Before and during that game, the Panthers had reason to be optimistic about their 2022 prospects. Backup QB PJ Walker looked to establish himself as the bonified starter for this team. D'Onta Foreman had his second straight 100 yard rushing game. They were about to have wins over the Bucs and Falcons, with interim coach Steve Wilks. And then those two kicks happened, and they followed up the Falcons loss getting blown out by the Bengals 42-21, a game that saw Baker Mayfield come in in relief of Walker in the second half.
Meanwhile, that win for the Falcons put them in a position that they haven't been since 2016 - first place in the NFC South. Plus, they only sit a game below .500 and can get back even with another win tonight vs Carolina.
Joe Person of The Athletic joined today's Steakhouse, and talked about just how the fortunes have changed for the Panthers ahead of tonight's Thursday Night Football game. He talks about how this is a team now that knows exactly what it is, and that's a team that will looking for a new QB and coach for next season. You can hear that audio below.