Panthers-Falcons: Cats Send Birds to Back of Bus

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I would imagine that bus ride home was not pretty. The Falcons went into Carolina with an opportunity to sweep the division series and laid an egg. It was probably the most predictable game I've witnessed this season.

Either long snapper Bryan Pittman or kicker Jason Elam caused the Falcons' first opportunity for a lead to disintegrate. On the shank heard 'round the world, Elam missed a chip shot to put the Falcons up 22-21 late in the game.

But this game was far from their fault alone. Throughout the season, we've learned the Falcons' kicking game is terrible. Because Elam averages less than 65 percent on his attempts this year, I often cringe when I see him come on to the field.

But losing this game was a team effort. Practically every leader on the team let the fans down in one way or another.

Whether it was the continued disappearance of defensive end John Abraham or the regressing of second-year standout quarterback Matt Ryan, the team effort became a team loss. And that goes all the way back to coaching and ownership.

Let's take a moment to break down the blunders, shall we?

The Falcons kicked off to open the game. They held the Panthers to 3-and-out, and the Falcons got the ball on their own 31-yard line.

On the second play of the drive, Michael Turner took the handoff and rumbled 40 yards. With Turner seemingly returning to his old form, I told my wife that we should be able to control this game if he keeps running like that.

The drive stalled shortly after, and the Falcons sent out kicker Jason Elam. I must admit my cheeks clinched up as if I was in prison wearing makeup and a dress. But to my surprise, it sailed through the goal posts, and the Falcons took the lead 3-0 with only four minutes off the clock.

After Koenen's second touchback, the Panthers took over at the Falcons 20-yard line and proceeded to march right downfield almost effortlessly.

The Panthers tried to run the ball, but tackles Jonathan Babineaux and Jamaal Anderson wouldn't allow it, forcing Delhomme to take matters into his own hands. Then he found out just how weak that secondary is this season.

Without Brian Williams to guard Mushin Muhammed, the Panthers tossed two long passes to Moose totaling 43 yards (21,22) and moved into the red zone, where running back Jonathan Stewart punched it in from one yard out.

Down 7-3, the Falcons took the next possession and moved the ball into Panthers' territory, but stalled and were forced to punt. They attempted six passes and three runs. Right there, I could see the signs of a bad game.

Quarterback Matt Ryan is struggling badly. Running boot legs that cut off half the field. The way Ryan stares down his receivers. Have no doubt, both are serious issues. More on that later.

When Carolina regained possession, they did what the Falcons failed to do. They ran the ball effectively without forcing Delhomme to win the game. Take note, Mularkey, your young QB goes as your running game goes.

After scoring the touchdown and taking an 11-point lead, the Falcons did what they have done many times this season. They marched down the field and scored a touchdown.

That drive consisted of Turner pushing out 42 yards, and Mike Smith deciding to go for it on a 4th-and-8 situation. Everything about that drive screamed guts. But after that drive, everything went wrong.

Michael Turner left the game with an ankle injury, and Ryan continued his slide of the last several weeks.

The defense came in and forced a 3-and-out. The Falcons' offense took the field, and Ryan needed all of five seconds to throw his first interception of the game.

Then the Panthers turned the turnover into seven points, and it wouldn't be the last time.

To open the second half, the Falcons marched downfield to kick another field goal. Once again, my cheeks were so tight you couldn't insert a pin with a jackhammer. Elam makes me very, very nervous. But, he made it! At this point, the Falcons are only down by eight.

When the Panthers are forced to kick a field goal of their own, a great jump from Chauncey Davis blocked it. Time to play catch up.

Again on the move, the Falcons score on a three-yard pass to Justin Peele. The game is in hand, and the momentum belongs to the Birds. That is, until they missed the two-point conversion.

Behind DeAngelo Williams, the Panthers moved into Falcons territory. The Falcon defense snuffed out any further nonsense and forced the Kittens to punt. Down by two with 11 minutes left, the game was well in hand.

Then my fears became reality. After failing to convert a 3rd-and-1 on the Panthers 16-yard line, coach Smith sent out Elam to put the Birds up by one. Because it was an important kick, you wouldn't expect the entire thing to be botched.

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