Three keys to the Falcons loss to the Panthers

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

1. Left cornerback is still an issue in the Falcons secondary. Tye Hill started the game but on Carolina's first touchdown drive, the Panthers picked up 62 of their 80 yards by throwing the ball to receivers covered by Hill, whether if it was Muhsin Muhammad or Steve Smith. Hill gave way to Brent Grimes, who played much stronger and made tackles after catches. It was clear that Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme, who has struggled in the passing game this year, was targeting that position.

2. Quarterback Matt Ryan had two untimely interceptions. The first came in the second quarter, after the Falcons had cut the lead 14-10 and the defense forced a stop. On first down, Ryan was rolling to his left and attempted a tough throw for a right-handed quarterback, sailing a ball high and behind Michael Jenkins. It was picked off by Sharrod Martin (Griffin High School). In the fourth quarter, after Jason Elam's missed field goal, the Falcons defense made another stop and, following a 24-yard punt return, Ryan gambled by going down field. He pushed a pass to his left and it was intercepted by Richard Marshall. It was Ryan's 10th interception over the last five games. He threw 11 in all of 2008.

3. Jason Elam was not too happy with the missed 34-yard field goal with 6:39 remaining that would have given the Falcons a 22-21 lead. He was seen staring at holder Michael Koenen as they left the field. The play should have been aborted from the beginning. The timing was off as Elam appeared to start, then stop, then restart, sending a knuckling atempt wide left. Long snapper Bryan Pittman, who was recently signed to take Michael Schneck's roster spot after he was lost for the year with broken ribs, may also have been at fault. While Elam was speaking with Koenen, for perhaps not getting the laces on the ball straight, Pittman walked off alone to the end of the bench.

By the numbers

• 111 – Yards gained by running back Michael Turner before he left the game with an ankle injury in the second quarter.

• 57.4 – Matt Ryan's quarterback rating. He completed 22 of 41 passes for 224 yards and had two interceptions.

• 6 – Matt Ryan has now thrown at least one interception in each of the last six games. He's thrown an interception in seven of the nine games this season.

• 70 – Michael Koenen boomed a 70-yard punt late in the second quarter.

• 5 – Jason Elam missed his fifth field goal attempt of the season, a 34-yarder than would have given the Falcons a 22-21 lead.

• 18 – Career-high carries for running back Jason Snelling, who took over for Turner.

Etc.

• Defensive tackle Vance Walker, from nearby Fort Mill, S.C., was active the third straight games. He started the second half and had two tackles.

• Will Svitek made his first start for the Falcons. He filled in for starting left tackle Sam Baker, who was inactive with an ankle injury.

• Snelling had a 4-yard gain when the Falcons ran their version of the Wildcat allignment during the opening drive of the third quarter.

Injury report

Running back Michael Turner left the game with 9:08 to play in the second quarter with a right ankle sprain.