Linebacker Keith Brooking makes the claim after 4-0 Atlanta matches the best start in franchise history.
By Associated Press
Published October 4, 2004
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Atlanta Falcons stormed off the Panthers' field, a victory in hand and a message for the rest of the NFL.
"We own the South!" linebacker Keith Brooking shouted.
After a victory over the defending NFC champion Panthers on Sunday, the Falcons at least have a firm grip on their division.
The Panthers found a way to slow down Michael Vick - their No.1 nemesis - but failed to shut down any other parts of Atlanta's game. The result was an easy win that moved the Falcons to 4-0, matching the best start in franchise history in 1986.
While the players celebrated their 11th win in 13 tries against Carolina, Falcons management took a far more cautious approach.
"It is extremely early," said general manager Rich McKay, who joined Atlanta after leaving the Bucs late last season. "The thing I like is how hard we are playing. But there is a long way to go and Carolina certainly won't go down without a fight."
All the fight belonged to Atlanta in this one.
Warrick Dunn had a 38-yard touchdown run and Kevin Mathis returned an interception 35 yards for another score.
They won without the typical one-man show Vick usually puts on against the Panthers.
Normally unable to stop Vick from racking up astronomical numbers, the Panthers held him to 148 yards passing and 35 yards rushing. With all the focus on keeping Vick in check, Carolina was a mess in other areas.
"We get sidetracked as a team, as a defensive unit, in thinking we've got to stop one person," defensive end Julius Peppers said. "There's 10 other people out there ... if you focus on just one, someone else will kill you."
Carolina twice turned over the ball to end almost certain scoring drives. Muhsin Muhammad fumbled on the opening drive at the Atlanta 21, and the Falcons converted it into Dunn's touchdown run. Then Jake Delhomme was intercepted at the Falcons 3 to end another Carolina opportunity on the Panthers' first possession of the second half.
But the most costly error came with 12 minutes left and Atlanta clinging to a 13-10 lead. Delhomme threw into heavy coverage and Mathis grabbed the ball and marched into the end zone.
"It feels so good to be where we are," Mathis said. "We are playing as a team, we are confident - but not overconfident - and we're really rolling right now."
T.J. Duckett added a 4-yard touchdown run with 4:13 to play to make the win a blowout.
The game was fairly nasty, with 21 total penalties, six personal fouls and one near brawl. Carolina linebacker Brandon Short was called for unnecessary roughness against Vick, and the two exchanged head-butts.
