This game started grimly. The Falcons were down early and saw Damontae Kazee leave the game after an ugly helmet-to-helmet hit and ejection, and it looked like another slog for Atlanta. But then the Falcons played like they’re supposed to, even down Deion Jones and Keanu Neal and Devonta Freeman and Kazee.
The Falcons were brilliant on the ground against a quality Carolina front, strong through the air, and good enough on defense against a Panthers team that bizarrely elected not to run enough.