Carolina Panthers full back Mike Tolbert drives toward the end zone against the Atlanta Falcons during his NFL game Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, in Atlanta.ATLANTA – Carolina leaned on its defense and Cam Newton to clinch its first division title in five years.
Newton threw two touchdown passes, Greg Hardy had a team-record four sacks and the Panthers clinched the NFC South title by beating the Atlanta Falcons 21-20 on Sunday.
Making their first trip to the playoffs since 2008, the Panthers (12-4) secured a first-round bye and home-field advantage for at least one game as the No. 2 seed in the NFC. Carolina could move up to the No. 1 seed with losses by Seattle and Arizona in late games.
Carolina set a team record by sacking Matt Ryan nine times. The defense also produced a touchdown on Melvin White’s 7-yard interception return in the second quarter.
Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez had four catches for 56 yards and was honored at halftime in his final regular-season game. He has announced plans for retirement.