Panthers<\/a> and some flashes by QB P.J. Walker were unremarkable in the attack of the first quarter. Even so, they moved the ball enough to take a 0-3 lead.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nIn the second quarter, the Panthers stepped on the accelerator. They led off with a 41-yard rushing touchdown by Shenault, who easily disposed of the Falcons’ defense, and then with another Pineiro field goal.<\/p>\n
Atlanta showed little sign of life in the first half, though QB Marcus Mariota did put together his best drive just before halftime. A late first-half field goal sent the Falcons into the break with three points on the board.<\/p>\n
When they returned, the Falcons resorted to running to unclog their stalled offense, but did throw in some aerial plays to help mix things up. It proved to be a good move for wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge, who in his fifth NFL season and his 65th NFL game, finally scored his first touchdown.<\/strong><\/p>\nThroughout the second half, the two teams were evenly matched. The Panthers would get on the board and the Falcons would eventually respond.<\/p>\n
Despite his best efforts, Walker was relatively tame, only putting up 108 yards. He threw a couple of solids dimes, but it was the ground game \u2013 and the Carolina defense \u2013 that controlled the field.<\/p>\n