Photos: Falcons defeat Panthers, 31-24

Atlanta Falcons

Photos: Falcons defeat Panthers, 31-24

Falcons get first win of season.

9/16/18 - Atlanta - Falcons and Panthers scuffle after Atlanta Falcons cornerback Damontae Kazee (27) targeted Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1). Kazee was ejected. The Atlanta Falcons played the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

September 16, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan scores the game winning touchdown on a quarterback keeper for a 31-17 lead over the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter in a NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, in Atlanta. The Falcons held on to beat the Panthers 31-24. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

9/16/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) flips as he makes this first half catch to help setup the Falcons first field goal. The Atlanta Falcons played the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

September 16, 2018 Atlanta: Falcons safety Damontae Kazee levels Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and is ejected from the game during the second quarter in a NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

September 16, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley scores his first NFL touchdown past Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson to tie the game 10-10 during the second quarter in a NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

9/16/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) scores the Falcons 2nd TD before the first half. The Atlanta Falcons played the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

9/16/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta Falcons offensive guard Wes Schweitzer (71) celebrates after the Falcons first TD. The Atlanta Falcons played the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

9/16/18 - Atlanta - Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) starts to slide on a keeper as Atlanta Falcons cornerback Damontae Kazee (27) closes in. Kazee made the hit and was ejected for targeting. The Atlanta Falcons played the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

9/16/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta Falcons defensive back Robert Alford (23) defends a pass to Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) which prevented a Carolina TD. The Atlanta Falcons played the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

September 16, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan scores the game winning touchdown on a quarterback keeper for a 31-17 lead over the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter in a NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, in Atlanta. The Falcons held on to beat the Panthers 31-24. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

September 16, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan scores the game winning touchdown on a quarterback keeper for a 31-17 lead over the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter in a NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, in Atlanta. The Falcons held on to beat the Panthers 31-24. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

September 16, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan scores the game winning touchdown on a quarterback keeper for a 31-17 lead over the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter in a NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, in Atlanta. The Falcons held on to beat the Panthers 31-24. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

9/16/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) muscles across the goal line through Carolina defenders on a keeper to score a second half TD. The Atlanta Falcons played the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

September 16, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan scores the game winning touchdown on a quarterback keeper for a 31-17 lead over the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter in a NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, in Atlanta. The Falcons held on to beat the Panthers 31-24. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

September 16, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan looks to the fans celebrating after scoring the game winning touchdown on a quarterback keeper for a 31-17 lead over the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter in a NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, in Atlanta. The Falcons held on to beat the Panthers 31-24. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

September 16, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan looks to the fans celebrating after scoring the game winning touchdown on a quarterback keeper while Wes Schweitzer spikes the ball for a 31-17 lead over the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter in a NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, in Atlanta. The Falcons held on to beat the Panthers 31-24. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

September 16, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert Alford breaks up the final pass of the game to Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Moore to hold on to a 31-24 victory in a NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

9/16/18 - Atlanta - Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) evades Atlanta Falcons cornerback Brian Poole (34) on a keeper in the second half. The Atlanta Falcons played the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

9/16/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta Falcons cornerback Ricardo Allen (37) returns his second half interception behind blocking from Atlanta Falcons linebacker Duke Riley (42). The Atlanta Falcons played the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

9/16/18 - Atlanta - On the Last play of the game, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Torrey Smith (11) can't make the catch which was defended by Atlanta Falcons defensive back Robert Alford (23). The Atlanta Falcons played the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

9/16/18 - Atlanta - Carolina Panthers wide receiver Torrey Smith (11) stiff arms Atlanta Falcons defensive back Desmond Trufant (21) on a short second half play. The Atlanta Falcons played the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

9/16/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta Falcons linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (59) puts the stop on Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jarius Wright (13). The Atlanta Falcons played the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

9/16/18 - Atlanta - Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) slides ahead of the pursuit of Atlanta Falcons defensive end Brooks Reed (50). The Atlanta Falcons played the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

September 16, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons defenders DeâVondre Campbell (left) and Robert Alford break up the final pass of the game to Carolina Panthers D.J. Moore to hold on to a 31-24 victory in a NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

September 16, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons safety Ricardo Allen intercepts Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jarius Wright during the fourth quarter in a NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

September 16, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper goes over the top of Carolina Panthers cornerback Corn Elder for a first down during the second half in a NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

September 16, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman stiff arms Carolina Panthers cornerback James Bradberry for extra yardage during the second half in a NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

9/16/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) made this diving catch in the 2nd half. The Atlanta Falcons played the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

September 16, 2018 Atlanta: Falcons running back Ito Smith picks up yardage against Panthers Vernon Butler during the first half in a NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

September 16, 2018 Atlanta: Falcons safety Damontae Kazee is ejected from the game on a hit against Panthers quarterback Cam Newton during the first half in a NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

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9/16/18 - Atlanta - Falcons and Panthers scuffle after Atlanta Falcons cornerback Damontae Kazee (27) targeted Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1). Kazee was ejected. The Atlanta Falcons played the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 16, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

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