The Falcons expected to be where Carolina is this season. After plenty of preseason hype, the Falcons failed to live up to expectations and instead are looking at a top draft pick in 2014 after getting just four wins heading into Week 17. The Falcons blew yet another second-half lead against the 49ers on Monday Night Football. That has been the story of the season as the team has been outscored by 74 points in the second half of the season.
All that matters in this final game is getting Tony Gonzalez a win. The tight end will retire after the game, ending a Hall of Fame career. He leads the team with eight touchdowns and has 803 receiving yards. He holds almost every career record for tight ends while also ranking near the top in categories for receivers. He returned for one more season in hopes of winning a Super Bowl after the Falcons reached the NFC Championship game in 2012, but that will not happen and a win against the Panthers is the best he can hope for.
The Panthers have a lot to play for. The team is hoping to clinch the division and get a first-round buy. They are still a long shot to finish as a top seed and gain home-field advantage in the AFC, but a lot has to happen first. That all starts with a win over the down-and-out Falcons.
Quarterback Cam Newton is a man on a mission looking to get his team a top seed in the upcoming playoffs. After struggling in the start of the Week 16 game against the Saints, the quarterback finished with a strong final stretch including a touchdown pass to Domenik Hixon in the final seconds.
The Atlanta Falcons have nothing else to play for this season except sending tight end Tony Gonzalez out on top with one last win to help close the book on an impressive NFL career. That could be tough as the Carolina Panthers come to town looking to wrap up the NFC South crown over the New Orleans Saints.