Falcons Ripped by NFL Fans as Loss to Bryce Young, Panthers Ends Playoff Bid

For the seventh consecutive season, the Atlanta Falcons have missed the playoffs.

The Falcons had a chance to compete for a division title entering Sunday's action, but a 44-38 loss to the Carolina Panthers put an end to their postseason hopes.

Atlanta scored a game-tying touchdown with just under one minute left in the fourth quarter, although Carolina's offense marched down the field in overtime before Panthers running back Miles Sanders ended the contest with a one-yard score.

A win by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the New Orleans Saints prevented the Falcons from being able to potentially clinch a playoff berth, but it was still a disappointing performance with their season on the line.

Michael Penix Jr. showed promise in his third career start, finishing 21-of-38 for 312 yards and two touchdowns to go along with an interception. He also added a third score on the ground.

Atlanta's defense looked sluggish throughout the contest, allowing Carolina to record its first 40-point game since Week 9 of the 2018 season. The Panthers' offense racked up 425 total yards on Sunday, averaging 6.5 yards per play.

Fans called out the Falcons for their poor performance with a chance to compete for a postseason spot.

For the Panthers, Bryce Young ended his sophomore season on a high note. Young finished 25-of-34 for 251 yards, scoring five total touchdowns without committing a turnover. He also picked up 24 rush yards on five attempts.

After the Falcons finished with identical 7-10 records from 2021-23, they'll end their 2024 campaign at 8-9.