FIRST QUARTER
Big play: Carolina wide receiver Ted Ginn broke away from Falcons cornerback Robert Alford and scored on a 74-yard touchdown grab. Alford appeared to give up on the play as he didn't give chase. Alford was called for holding on the play.
Turning point: After the conversion attempt on the Panthers' second touchdown, defensive tackle Ra'Shede Hageman had a full meltdown on the field and got in to a shoving match with defensive line coach Bryan Cox.
Takeaway: Rookie coach Dan Quinn appears to be losing the team. They were not prepared for a game in which they should have brought their best effort.
Score: Panthers 21, Falcons 0.
SECOND QUARTER
Big play: The Falcons had moved to the Panthers' 20-yard line and appeared set to score. But left guard Andy Levitre was destroyed by Carolina defensive tackle Kawann Short, who knocked the ball loose from quarterback Matt Ryan. Wide receiver Julio Jones recovered the fumble for a loss of 26 yards. Two plays later, the Falcons punted.
Turning point: On third-and-4 from the Carolina 45, Ryan saw the blitz but didn't get rid of the ball. He was sacked by Carolina linebacker Thomas Davis and defensive end Mario Addison. If Ryan throws an incompletion, the Falcons could have gone for it on fourth down.
Takeaway: Falcons were disorganized again. They were called for illegal substitution. Just shocking and lethargic display.
Score: Panthers 28, Falcons 0.
THIRD QUARTER
Big play: On first-and-10 at Atlanta's 41, Devonta Freeman fumbled after behing hit by Carolina linebacker A.J. Klein. Carolina defensive end Kony Ealy recovered.
Turning point: The Falcons' offense turned the ball over on three consecutive possessions. Freeman had a fumble, followed by a Ryan fumble and a Ryan interception to Carolina linebacker Luke Kuechly. The Panthers turned the turnovers into a field goal and a touchdown to finish off the rout.
Takeaway: The Falcons' offense is broken with little pass protection and pass plays that always seem short of a first-down marker. The Panthers had five sacks and 11 quarterback hits.
Score: Panthers 38, Falcons 0.
FOURTH QUARTER
Big play: On fourth-and-6 from Carolina's 6, Ryan tossed a 4-yard pass to wide receiver Roddy White, who was tackled at the 2 by Carolina defensive tackle Dwan Edwards and safety Tre Boston. The stop ended the Falcons' best scoring threat.
Turning point: Carolina quarterback Cam Newton, who completed 15 of 21 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns, was replaced by backup Derek Anderson in a mop-up role.
Takeaway: The Falcons, who have lost six consecutive games and seven of their past eight games, can start getting ready for the draft. The Falcons have a minuscule chance of making the playoffs. The Falcons will need to win one game to improve on last season's 6-10 mark and will need to win-out to post a winning season.
Score: Panthers 38, Falcons 0.
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