the carolina panthers' pursuit of a perfect NFL season ended yesterday (bangkok time) with a stunning 20-13 loss to the falcons in atlanta.
in the penultimate week of the regular season the panthers were aiming to move to 15-0, but the falcons-routed 38-0 by the panthers on december 12-had other ideas.
julio jonesleapt over two deferders the reel in a spectacular 70-yard touchdown catch and rookie vic beasley sealed the triumph by forcing a funble from panthers quarterback cam newton in the finalminute that the falcons recovered.
"they may have taken us lightly,but we didn't take them lightly," beastey said.
newton had two chances to lead comeback drives late in the fourth quarter but couldn't find the end zone
"this is part of the journey" said panthers coach ron rivera. "we have to refocus. but we've accomplished a lot. let's not lose sight of that."
the 2007 new england patriotsremain the only NFL team to post a 16-0 regular season.
after riding roughshod over the league that year,the patriots were stunned in the super bowl by the new york giants.
the 1972 miami dolphins are the only team to record a perfect championship season going 14-0 in the regular season before winning three play-off games that included a super bowl triumph.