1. THIRD DOWNS TROUBLESOME: Carolina struggled to get off the field on third down, and it was a major factor in its first loss of the season.
"That was probably the biggest disappointment," head coach Ron Rivera said of the third-down issues. "We put them in third-and-long situations and we just couldn't get to the quarterback. Their guy (Matt Ryan) made some plays with his feet, got outside the pocket a couple times."
Atlanta's offense converted 9-of-15 third downs, none more important than the 70-yard touchdown catch by wide receiver Julio Jones on third-and-13.
2. JULIO WAS DIFFERENCE-MAKER: Take away Jones' 70-yard score, and he still had eight catches for 108 yards.
Simply put, the Atlanta star lived up to his billing on Sunday. Jones had nine receptions on 11 targets and was difficult to handle throughout.
Said cornerback Josh Norman of Jones: "He's one of the best in the league, and he came to play today."
3. FALCONS ELIMINATED CAROLINA'S EXPLOSIVE PLAYS: The Panthers, the highest scoring team in the NFL entering the game, had been thriving off explosive plays through the air in recent games. When reflecting on Atlanta's 38-0 loss at Carolina earlier in the week, Falcons head coach Dan Quinn said explosive plays against his team were particularly disturbing, and limiting them was a point of emphasis in the rematch.
The Falcons got the message and made it tough on Carolina. Quarterback Cam Newton's longest pass of the day was a 19-yarder to Philly Brown in the closing moments.
"We have to play better," Newton said. "That is unacceptable, especially this time of year."
4. RUN GAME PRODUCTIVE WHEN USED: The Panthers actually had a solid day running the ball but didn't create enough opportunities to run it more often.
Carolina averaged 7.8 yards per carry, with four runners – including Newton and wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery – recording a run of at least 16 yards. But while it added up to a 26th consecutive game with 100-plus rushing yards, the Panthers got their 155 yards on just 20 attempts. That's 10 fewer than any other game this season.
A good amount of that had to do with the nature of the game. Each team got just one possession in the first quarter, and in the fourth quarter Carolina was playing catch-up and ran the ball just twice.
Rookie Cameron-Artis Payne looked good again, rushing for 49 yards on just five carries. Fozzy Whittaker ran well too, with 32 yards on five carries, but he left the game midway through the third quarter with what was initially diagnosed as an ankle sprain.
5. A LOT AT STAKE IN WEEK 17: Since the Cardinals (13-2) defeated the Packers later Sunday, the Panthers (14-1) still haven't clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC. A Carolina win over the Buccaneers next week or an Arizona loss against Seattle is needed to clinch the top seed and homefield advantage throughout the postseason. The Carolina-Tampa Bay game has been flexed to a 4:25 p.m. kickoff, the same time as the Arizona-Seattle game.
View game action photos from Carolina's 20-13 loss to Atlanta.
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) runs after making a catch against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert Alford (23) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs against Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Kroy Biermann (71) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) displays his first down against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates his touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) hands his touchdown ball to a fan during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) vie for a fumble during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) fumbles the ball on a run against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) is tackled by Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) runs out of the pocket against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Jacob Tamme (83) makes a catch as Carolina Panthers strong safety Roman Harper (41) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers free safety Kurt Coleman (20) hits Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) celebrates his touchdown against the Carolina Panthers with Atlanta Falcons tackle Ryan Schraeder (73) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Atlanta Falcons strong safety Kemal Ishmael (36) tackles Carolina Panthers wide receiver Corey Brown (10) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short (99) tackles Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) runs after a catch against Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. Kuechly was called for a penalty for a horse collar tackle on the play. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) runs against Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Shaq Thompson (54) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Phillip Adams (20) tackles Carolina Panthers running back Cameron Artis-Payne (34) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Vic Beasley (44) pressures Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery (82) runs against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert Alford (23) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Atlanta Falcons nose tackle Jonathan Babineaux (95) and Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Justin Durant (52) attempt a tackle on Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera watches his team play offense against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Carolina Panthers running back Cameron Artis-Payne (34) runs past Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Nate Stupar (54) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Kroy Biermann (71) sacks Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Kroy Biermann (71) celebrates the sack of Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) runs as Carolina Panthers cornerback Charles Tillman (31) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) makes his fifth catch of the day against Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant (21) pushes Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery (82) out of bounds during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) runs against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert Alford (23) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs against Atlanta Falcons free safety Ricardo Allen (37) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Jacob Tamme (83) carries Carolina Panthers free safety Kurt Coleman (20) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) works under the pressure of Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson (95) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) makes a catch against Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. Jones scored a touchdown on the play. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) makes a catch against Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. Jones scored a touchdown on the play. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) moves the ball after making a catch against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. Jones scored a touchdown on the play. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) enters the end zone for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Philip Wheeler (51) hits Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) runs out of the pocket against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) recovers a loose ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) recovers a loose ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) runs against Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Nate Stupar (54) celebrates a broken pass as Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) looks on during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Shayne Graham (6) celebrates his field goal against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons won 20-13. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) walks off the field after the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons won 20-13. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Staff writer Max Henson and senior writer Bryan Strickland contributed to this report.
