ATLANTA – One minute, the Carolina Panthers were getting blown off the field. The next minute, their offense trotted onto the field with a chance to complete a most improbable of comebacks.
The Panthers trailed the Atlanta Falcons 34-10 with 12 minutes left in a game that arguably wasn't that close, but twice in the waning minutes – with their backup quarterback under center – Carolina closed within a single score.
Eventually, however, the hole they dug in the first three quarters proved a little too deep, and the Panthers stumbled to a 48-33 loss in their final appearance at the Georgia Dome.
"Through three quarters today, that's probably the worst collective game that we've played maybe since I've been here," tight end Greg Olsen said. "We put ourselves in position to have a chance, but it's hard to come back from such a deficit against a team like that at their place. We were fighting a lot of uphill battles there."
The Panthers were up against a historic effort from wide receiver Julio Jones, whose 300-yard receiving day was the fourth-biggest in NFL history and keyed quarterback Matt Ryan's 503-yard passing day.
Amazingly, though, Jones hadn't scored a touchdown with just four minutes left in the game, and in the meantime the Panthers worked their way in position to possibly pull of a comeback for the ages.
The offense, held to a single field goal by an improving but far-from-impervious Atlanta defense through three quarters, suddenly caught fire in the fourth quarter. With Carolina down 34-10 – the lone touchdown provided by a defense that otherwise struggled – Cam Newton led the offense 63 yards in just 97 seconds, capping it with a 6-yard touchdown strike to Kelvin Benjamin.
The Panthers had to go for two in an attempt to make it a two-score game and succeeded, but at a price. Newton kept the ball around the left side and appeared in position to walk in, which is essentially what he did until linebacker Deion Jones came out of nowhere from Newton's perspective and lit the quarterback up with a helmet-to-helmet shot, a hit that landed Newton in the concussion protocol and turned the game over to capable backup Derek Anderson.
Anderson kept it going. The defense quickly got the ball back to the offense, which traveled 94 yards and made it a one-score game with 3:58 left when Olsen made an acrobatic 14-yard touchdown grab with one hand and then secured another two-point conversion.
"Not that it gives you much solace, but there is no give-up in this team." Olsen said. "We fought back and cut it to one score twice, but then you saw what happened both times."
The first time, Julio happened. On the first play after the ensuing kickoff, Jones caught a pass in stride at his own 36 and then turned it upfield, streaking down the right sideline for a 75-yard score that seemed to squelch the rally in an instant.
Still, it wasn't over.
Using half the time left and none of the Panthers' three timeouts, Anderson directed the offense back into the end zone, making it 41-33 with 1:53 on a 16-yard strike to Philly Brown on fourth-and-2.
The defense forced another three-and-out, and Carolina took possession at its own 24 with 1:25 to go. But hopes were again dashed immediately and this time for good, when on the first play Anderson floated a pass over Olsen's head and into the waiting arms of cornerback Robert Alford, who returned it 30 yards for the clinching touchdown.
"I saw Greg go out in the flat and started to throw it, and then I tried to pull it back and just hold onto it," Anderson said. "It turned into a non-confident throw, and it floated over his head. Unfortunately, a guy was sitting right there."
The Panthers were lucky still be within striking distance at halftime, but the third quarter appeared to take any drama out of the division showdown. Trailing just 17-10 at halftime despite being shredded on defense – saved by a Kurt Coleman 8-yard interception return – the Panthers endured more of the same in the third quarter.
Already with a 99-yard touchdown drive to their credit, the Falcons opened the third quarter with a 98-yard march followed by a 92-yard one to lead 31-10.
"We went into halftime 17-10 and feeling pretty good about it, but then we couldn't get the stop we needed coming out," head coach Ron Rivera said. "You'd like to be able to stop them on their first drive and put your offense back on the field because we had a little bit of momentum at that point. Unfortunately we weren't able to do that."
As a result, a Panthers team that went 15-1 and steamed through the NFC South a year ago fell to 1-3 and will have to play catchup with the Falcons now standing at 1-3. The silver lining is that most of the Panthers' players and coaches were on the 2013 that started 1-3 before finishing 12-4 and the 2014 team that started 3-8-1 but won out to return to the playoffs.
"We're 1-3. We've been here before," Rivera said. "We're going to find out the character of this team and try to head in the right direction.
"It's not time to panic. We've got some experience with this. We're just going to have to work through it and find some answers."
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)
