How DJ Moore penalty after touchdown catch, missed kicks by Eddy Pineiro cost Panthers win vs. Falcons

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DJ Moore experienced a rollercoaster of emotions in the waning minutes of the Panthers’ NFC South matchup against the Falcons on Sunday — one that cost Carolina a victory over Atlanta.

Moore finished the day with six catches for 156 yards and a score, but a pair of critical mistakes undid what would have been a game-winning touchdown in the games’ final seconds.

The first mistake occurred on the Panthers’ penultimate offensive drive of regulation, when he couldn’t pull in a P.J. Walker pass that would have converted fourth-and-17 from the Carolina’s own 18-yard line. The Falcons took over on downs leading 31-28.

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The Panthers’ defense stood strong, however, forcing a field goal attempt. That gave Carolina one last chance at a go-ahead touchdown, down 34-28 with 36 remaining in the game. Three plays, 75 yards and 24 seconds later, Moore redeemed himself with a 62-yard game-tying Hail Mary TD:

Walker’s throw reportedly had an 11.5 percent chance to be completed, and traveled 67.2 yards in the air — an NFL Next Gen Stats record dating back to 2016.

Unfortunately for Moore and the Panthers, he was penalized for excessive celebration for ripping his helmet off and jumping into the stands at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. That moved Eddy Pineiro’s point-after attempt, which would have been from 33 yards, back to a 48-yard attempt.

Naturally, he missed, pushing it wide left:

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The Panthers’ defense did its part again, stopping an Atlanta Hail Mary attempt and sending the game to overtime. There, the defense stood up again with a C.J. Henderson interception, which he returned 54 yards to the Atlanta 20-yard line.

Walker, Moore and Co. couldn’t muster a first down, however, setting Pineiro up for his own redemptive moment. He again pushed the game-winner left, this time from 33 yards:

The Falcons didn’t waste their opportunity to win again. Marcus Mariota drove the team 55 yards to set Younghoe Koo up for a 41-yard game-winning field goal. He nailed it:

With that, the Panthers dropped to 2-6 on the season and lost out on an opportunity to jump to the top of the NFC South division. The loss can’t be pinned on any one player, but Moore and Pineiro both have to wonder about what could have been in the loss.

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