Ryan, Bryant push Falcons past Panthers

ATLANTA -- Matt Bryant kicked a 40-yard field goal with 5 seconds remaining, and the Atlanta Falcons remained unbeaten, rallying past the Carolina Panthers 30-28 on Sunday.

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The Falcons (4-0) are off to their best start since 2004, when they reached the NFC Championship Game. Despite taking a career-high seven sacks, Matt Ryan threw three touchdown passes for Atlanta. Bryant added three field goals.

The Panthers (1-3) nearly clinched the win on Cam Newton's run with just over a minute remaining, but he fumbled the ball while trying to dive for the necessary yardage. Carolina recovered and wound up punting, downing the ball at the Atlanta 1. But Ryan immediately got the Falcons out of the hole, throwing a 59-yard pass to Roddy White.

Four plays later, Bryant won it.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press