Falcons-Panthers Game Notes

CHARLOTTE -- Game Notes from the Falcons-Panthers game at the Bank of America Stadium on November 15, 2009.

• For the fourth consecutive game, the Falcons scored on their opening offensive possession. After totaling six plays for 52 yards, kicker Jason Elam capped the drive with a 35-yard field goal.
• On the opening offensive drive for the Falcons, running back Michael Turner took his second carry of the game 40 yards, setting up a Falcons field goal. The 40-yard rush is the second-longest carry for Turner this season.
• Running back Michael Turner topped the 100-yard rushing mark in the second quarter and totaled his second-highest career first half mark with 111 yards. (135, 9/7/087 vs. Detroit). At the conclusion of the first quarter, Turner registered 69 rushing yards, which is also his second-highest career total in an opening period of play (highest 9/7/08 vs. Detroit, 117 yards).
• Running back Jason Snelling posted his first rushing touchdown of the season and the second of his career when he hit paydirt from one-yard out to cut the Panthers’ lead to 14-10. Snelling finished the game with a career-high 18 carries while adding 61 yards and also tied a career-high with three receptions while contributing with 32 yards.
• Tight end Justin Peelle caught his first touchdown of the season at the 13:44 mark in the fourth quarter to cut Carolina’s lead to 21-19 (failed 2-point conversion). On the scoring drive, the Falcons drove 11 plays for 59 yards in 7:11. The score marked the sixth consecutive game Matt Ryan finished with at least one TD.
• With his first reception in the third quarter, tight end Tony Gonzalez caught a 14-yard pass, which moved him to 19th all-time in NFL receiving yard annals. Gonzalez passed Rod Smith who finished with 11,389 yards in 12 seasons.
• With his first catch of the game in the first quarter, tight end Tony Gonzalez has improved his consecutive games with a reception streak to 140.
• Falcons defensive end Chauncey Davis blocked a Panthers 51-yard field goal attempt in the third quarter. The blocked field goal is the first for the Falcons since 11/30/08 at San Diego. Earlier this season, cornerback Brian Williams blocked a Carolina Panthers’ punt in Week 2.
• Falcons kicker Michael Koenen recorded five touchbacks against the Panthers, tying a franchise record which he set in Week 2 against Carolina. In two games this season against the Panthers, Koenen totaled 10 touchbacks.
• Kicker Jason Elam tacked on a 35-yard field goal on the Falcons opening offensive possession. He split the uprights on his second attempt of the game, a 24-yard attempt in the third quarter. The conversion marked his 34th consecutive successful kick from 20-29 yards dating back to 2006. Elam finished the day with seven points.

MORE FALCONS-PANTHERS GAME COVERAGE:

• GAMEDAY LIVE: Complete Falcons-Panthers coverage from AF.com
• GAME CENTER: Stats and more on the game from NFL.com
• GAME SIDEBAR: John Manasso looks at key moments from the game
• BEAT BLOG: Game updates and insight in The Beat Blog 
• GAME NOTEBOOK: Notes from the Bank of America Stadium press box
• FIRST TAKE: Exclusive postgame interviews from AF.com
• MULTIMEDIA: More Falcons-Panthers game interviews and highlights
• QUOTABLE: Postgame thoughts from Falcons players | Panthers
• J. MIKE'S MISSIVES: Thoughts on the game from the managing editor
• INACTIVES: Falcons-Panthers game inactives and starters

• FORUMS: Talk about the game with other fans on FalconsLIFE