Falcons 31, Panthers 17

Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Williams, left, tackles Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez (88) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rich Addicks)

Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner (33) runs as Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Jason Williams (54) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) looks for an open receiver out of the pocket as tight end Tony Gonzalez, right, looks on during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) throws under pressure from Atlanta Falcons defensive end John Abraham (55) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rich Addicks)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) breaks from the grasp of Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux (95) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rich Addicks)

Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) loses the ball on the end zone as Atlanta Falcons free safety Thomas DeCoud, rear left, and cornerback Dunta Robinson (23) defend during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Legedu Naanee, right, catches the ball as Atlanta Falcons free safety Thomas DeCoud (28) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Falcons running back Jason Snelling (44) rushes against Carolina Panthers strong safety Charles Godfrey (30) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) runs under the defense of Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (56) and free safety Thomas DeCoud, rear, during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith looks on during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera looks on during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rich Addicks)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) is tackled by Carolina Panthers cornerback Darius Butler (27) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rich Addicks)

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Brandon LaFell (11) goes to the turf as Atlanta Falcons cornerback Brent Grimes (20) and defensive back Kelvin Hayden (26) defend during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) moves around Atlanta Falcons free safety Thomas DeCoud (28) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rich Addicks)

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) falls as Atlanta Falcons defensive back Kelvin Hayden (26) defends during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rich Addicks)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs into the end zone for a touchdown as Atlanta Falcons free safety Thomas DeCoud (28) chases during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) reacts after he scored a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rich Addicks)

Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Corey Peters (91) runs after intercepting a pass from Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, as Panthers tackle Byron Bell, left, tries to make the tackle during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner (33) runs upfield as Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Jason Williams (54) falls during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rich Addicks)

Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner (33) steps out of bounds as Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson (95) and cornerback Chris Gamble (20) defend during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rich Addicks)

Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner (33) dives into the end zone as Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy (76) leaps over a Falcons player during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rich Addicks)

Atlanta Falcons defensive end Ray Edwards (93) and defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux, right, sack Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith, left, speaks to Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera after an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, in Atlanta. The Falcons won 31-17. (AP Photo/John Amis)