ATLANTA – In less than one quarter of play, quarterback Derek Anderson posted a game's worth of numbers – and often in his case, a season's worth.
Just when it looked like Anderson might direct a comeback of historic proportions, the chance slipped through his hands – quite literally.
Playing the final 10 minutes of Sunday's game at the Atlanta Falcons in relief of Cam Newton, Anderson tossed a pair of touchdown passes to spark a stirring rally, but the one pass he'd like to have back negated all his good work.
"We did too much to get to that point to throw the pick-six to lose," Anderson said. "We did a lot to get back in it, and I didn't give us a chance there."
Newton started the rally by directing the Panthers to their first offensive touchdown of the game early in the fourth quarter, but his two-point conversion run that made it 34-18 landed him in the concussion protocol and put Anderson in the fray.
Seeing extensive action for the first time this season, all Anderson did was complete 16 of his first 19 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns, and he got a chance to continue and possibly tie the score when the offense got the ball back with 1:25 left, trailing 41-33.
But on the first snap, Anderson thought about throwing the ball to tight end Greg Olsen but then thought better of it – too late, as the ball sailed out of his hand and into the hands of cornerback Robert Alford for a pick-six.
"I tried to pull it back and just hold onto it," Anderson said. "It turned into a non-confident throw."
The Panthers will no doubt have confidence in Anderson if he gets the call next week on Monday Night Football against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He's started twice in place of Newton in their five-plus seasons together – both in 2014, both against the Buccaneers, and both resulting in victories.
"He did some really good things with the exception of the one he thought he was throwing away," head coach Ron Rivera said. "He made some really good reads, and he handled the situation and the set of circumstances well. He gave us a chance, but you can't make mistakes. We made some mistakes, and they capitalized."
View game action photos from Carolina's 48-33 loss to Atlanta.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs out of the pocket against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (56) tackles Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) passes the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Deion Jones (45) makes contact with Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11)runs against Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) runs up field against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Jacob Tamme (83) scores a touchdown against Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis (58) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) is hit by Atlanta Falcons strong safety Kemal Ishmael (36) and Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant (21) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons fullback Patrick DiMarco (42) runs against Carolina Panthers cornerback Daryl Worley (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) passes the ball against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) makes a catch against Carolina Panthers cornerback Daryl Worley (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera watches play against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) runs toward the end zone for a touchdown against Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Shaq Green-Thompson (54) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) celebrates his touchdown with Atlanta Falcons guard Andy Levitre (67) against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) past Atlanta Falcons defensive back Brian Poole (34) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs out of the pocket against Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Vic Beasley (44) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn fist bumps a coach after the Carolina Panthers were stopped during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers strong safety Kurt Coleman (20) runs into the end zone for a touchdown after an interception against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) works in the backfield as Carolina Panthers defensive end Mario Addison (97) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) makes a catch against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ted Ginn (19) leaps near Atlanta Falcons long snapper Josh Harris (47) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers running back Fozzy Whittaker (43) runs by Atlanta Falcons defensive back Brian Poole (34) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Corey Brown (10) works for a catch against Atlanta Falcons defensive back Brian Poole (34) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) makes the catch against Carolina Panthers cornerback Bene' Benwikere (25) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) moves into the end zone for a touchdown against Carolina Panthers cornerback Bene' Benwikere (25) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) celebrates his touchdown with Atlanta Falcons tight end Levine Toilolo (80) against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) runs past Carolina Panthers cornerback Daryl Worley (26) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Eric Weems (14) tackles Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ted Ginn (19) on a kickoff return during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) runs into Atlanta Falcons free safety Ricardo Allen (37) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) celebrates his touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs against Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Deion Jones (45) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is hit by Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Deion Jones (45) during a two-point conversion during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) lies on the turf after a hit during a two-point conversion against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Derek Anderson (3) reacts to play against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) makes a touchdown catch against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) runs toward the end zone for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Corey Brown (10) runs as Atlanta Falcons defensive back Brian Poole (34) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. Brown scored a touchdown on the play. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Corey Brown (10) runs into the end zone for a touchdown as Atlanta Falcons defensive back Brian Poole (34) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert Alford (23) celebrates an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons won 48-33. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Derek Anderson (3) walks off the field after throwing an interception to Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert Alford (23) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. Alford scored a touchdown on the play. The Atlanta Falcons won 48-33. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
