ATLANTA, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Matt Ryan and Michael Turner keyed a fourth-quarter rally Sunday and Atlanta claimed three interceptions in defeating Carolina 31-17.
The Falcons trailed by three points entering the final period, but then scored on three straight possessions to even their record at 3-3. Carolina has lost four times in its first five games despite the often flashy quarterbacking of rookie Cam Newton.
Newton, the first NFL quarterback in history to throw five touchdown passes and run for five scores in his first five games, added another rushing TD Sunday and threw for 237 yards.
He was intercepted three times; however, two of them came during the fourth quarter.
Atlanta tied the game at 17-17 on Matt Bryant's 24-yard field goal just 48 seconds into the final quarter. The Falcons then took over after a punt and Ryan led them 60 yards in 10 plays before he scored on a 1-yard run that gave Atlanta the lead for good.
On the second play after the ensuing kickoff, Newton's short pass was intercepted by Corey Peters at the Panthers' 39-yard line. Atlanta then marched to the clinching touchdown, which was scored by Turner on a 2-yard run. Turner also had a 1-yard touchdown blast in the first period.
Turner gained 139 yards on 27 carries while Ryan completed 14-of-22 passes for 163 yards. Newton, the first player taken in this year's draft, was good on 21-of-35 throws. He added 50 rushing yards on six carries.
