FALCONS 34, PANTHERS 31 (OT): He runs for the tying TD on fourth down and a turnover in OT gives Bucs life in the wild card.
By Associated Press
Published December 19, 2004
ATLANTA - The Falcons responded to the NFL's ultimate comeback team with one of their own.
Michael Vick scored the tying touchdown on a 12-yard run with less than two minutes to go in regulation, then Jay Feely kicked a 38-yard field goal in overtime for a 34-31 victory over Carolina, snapping the Panthers' five-game winning streak Saturday night.
Carolina (6-8) got back into playoff contention after a 1-7 start, and the Panthers were as resilient as ever in this one, recovering from a pair of double-digit deficits.
The Panthers went ahead for the first time with a 21-point fourth quarter, only to have the Falcons (11-3) show they know a thing or two about bouncing back.
Dez White got the Falcons in position for the tying score with a dazzling 54-yard reception. He caught the ball along the sideline at the Carolina 40, spun around with one hand on the turf and sprinted all the way to the 5.
A holding penalty backed up the Falcons, who got down to their final play - fourth-and-goal from the Carolina 12. They had the right player for that position.
Vick spotted an opening up the middle and took off for the end zone, diving across with 1:37 remaining. The officials reviewed the play to see if Vick went down before he crossed the goal line, but replays showed that he somehow kept his left knee suspended about an inch above the turf as he stretched out for the end zone.
Carolina won the coin toss in overtime, only to have Jake Delhomme overthrow Ricky Proehl down the middle. Aaron Beasley made the interception and returned it 30 yards to the Carolina 23.
A couple of safe runs into the middle of the line set up Feely, who connected on third down to put the Falcons on the brink of clinching the No. 2 seed in the NFC.
They already had wrapped up the NFC South, just the third division title in franchise history.
