CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Official game notes from the Bank of America Stadium press box after a 24-9 Falcons loss to the Panthers.
- Falcons running back Jason Snelling earned his first career start while tight end Justin Peelle started his first game in a Falcons uniform.
- Falcons kicker Jason Elam split the uprights on three field goals attempts in the first half. His last field goal of the first half was a 44-yard kick, which cut the Panthers lead to 14-9. Elam extended his current field goal streak to 24 consecutive kicks and his three successful kicks in the first half mark the 10th occasion that the veteran kicker has made three or more field goals in the first half of a game in his career.
- For the fourth consecutive game this season, the Falcons defense held their opponent to 16 rushing yards or less in the first quarter of play after the Panthers managed only 16 yards on six carries.
- Falcons defensive end John Abraham blocked his first career punt in the second quarter, which led to Elam’s second field goal of the day. The blocked punt was the first for Atlanta since the 2004 season finale when Demorrio Williams blocked Seattle’s first kick of the game at Qwest Field.
- Running back Jerious Norwood posted his second longest rush of the season with a 40-yard scamper in the second quarter. The rush was four yards shy of his season high (44), which he set against Kansas City in Week 3. Norwood has now posted five rushes of 40 yards or more in this three-year career.
- Atlanta punter Michael Koenen booted his longest punt of the season with a 60-yard kick in the second quarter. The punt is the longest for Koenen since December 16, 2007 when he nailed a 63-yard punt against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- Falcons wide receiver Brian Finneran caught his first pass of the 2008 campaign on a five-yard reception in the second quarter. The catch was the first for Finneran since the 2005 season finale when he caught four passes for 45 yards against the Carolina Panthers.
- Wide receiver Roddy White led the Falcons in receiving with seven catches for 90 yards. He continues to remain on pace for a 1,000-yard season.
- In his fourth career start, rookie quarterback Matt Ryan completed passes to eight different receivers, a season-high for the Boston College graduate. Ryan finished the game having completed 21 of 41 passes for 158 yards and a 60.8 passer rating.
MORE FROM THE FALCONS-PANTHERS GAME:
- GAME RECAP: Falcons "drop" division game in Charlotte
- GAME NOTES: Official game notes from the Bank of America Stadium press box
- POSTGAME QUOTES: Smith | Falcons | Panthers
- GAME BLOG: Follow live updates from the press box
- GAME CENTER: News, stats and play-by-play from NFL.com
- FOLLOW THE BIRDS: On Twitter | Flickr
- INACTIVES: Gameday inactives and starters
- BOARDS: Talk about the team with other fans on FalconsLIFE
- J. MIKE'S MISSIVES: News and commentary from the Managing Editor
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Matt Ryan
- HIGHLIGHTS: Game highlights from NFL Network
