ATLANTA — Carolina Panthers receiver D.J. Moore hauled in a last-minute touchdown pass but ripped off his helmet to draw a costly yellow flag, teammate Eddy Piñeiro missed a pair of potential winning kicks, and the Atlanta Falcons escaped with a victory that was as improbable as their spot in the division standings.
First place.
Younghoe Koo booted a 41-yard field goal in overtime after the silly penalty by Moore opened the door for the Falcons to pull off a 37-34 win Sunday that maintained their hold on the NFC South lead.
“Our guys don’t blink,” said Atlanta quarterback Marcus Mariota, who got a chance on his 29th birthday to make up for an interception that could have — should have, really — sent his team to a loss.
It will surely be the favorite gift he gets this year.