Atlanta Falcons: Winners And Losers From Dirty Birds' Win vs. Panthers

Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers marked a must win for an Atlanta team that had been inconsistent so far this season. A win is exactly what they got.

The Falcons didn't play the prettiest game, but played the game they needed to play to move back to .500 on the season.

Let's take a look at the winners and losers from the Falcons' 31-17 victory over the Panthers.  

Winner: Michael Turner

The ball control offense of the Falcons looked much more like that which was so successful last season.

The Falcons pounded the ball with Michael Turner all night long. Turner dictated the tempo with 139 yards on 27 carries and two touchdowns. 

Winner: Matt Ryan

It wasn’t Matt Ryan’s best statistical game in terms of yards or touchdowns. He threw for just 161 yards and one touchdown, but the only stat that mattered was turnovers.

Ryan had no turnovers on Sunday, marking just the second time this season he’s achieved that feat.

Winner: Falcons' Pass Rush

No unit is more crucial to the Falcons hope of improvement on defense than the defensive line.

A lack of pass rush so far has been the main reason this defense has failed to take the next step.

Through the first half of the game this unit looked like a loser.

However, the pressure was amped up in the second half forcing two turnovers of Cam Newton in addition to the one in the first half. 

Ray Edwards looked as if his knee is beginning to progress, which is critical for the success of the Falcons on defense. 

Winner: Mike Smith

For the first time in his career with the Falcons, Mike Smith has been feeling real heat.

The team still has a way to go, but the Falcons couldn’t afford to lose a home divisional game against a one-win opponent.

Now Smith has the task of preparing his team for Ndamukong Suh and the Detroit Lions.

Winner: Mike Mularkey

Much of the Falcons’ problems this season have stemmed from a pass heavy offense. Mularkey called his most conservative game of the season against the Panthers.

As much as he wants to open things up with Julio Jones out and keeping in mind the teams struggles, Mularkey’s play calling represented exactly what the Falcons needed to do to win. 

Loser: Cam Newton

Cam Newton continues to show great ability that will serve him well down the road. Once again though, it was turnovers that did him and his team in.

Newton turned the ball over three times and showed an on-field frustration we hadn’t seen all season in the 4th quarter. 

Loser: Carolina's Running Game

The Panthers coaching staff continues to show an unwillingness to run the ball. This has undoubtedly been in an attempt to fast track Cam Newton’s progression.

However, doing so has probably cost the team wins this season. Carolina had just 19 rushing attempts from running backs and six from Newton.

That means Newton accounted for 41 of Carolina’s 60 offensive plays.  

Loser: Team Discipline

For much of the game, sloppy was the best description. The Panthers accumulated seven penalties for 85 yards and the Falcons had four for 57.

Penalties and turnovers have plagued a Falcons team which, in years past, was great at not beating itself.