Facing the Carolina Panthers was always an eventful experience for Julio Jones. While he was on the receiving end of some one-sided blowouts due to Carolina’s success from 2013 to 2015, some of his best career moments came against the division rival. One of them occurred during Carolina’s peak in 2015. The other transpired the very next season.
After starting his career with a stat line of three receptions for 104 yards and two touchdowns against the Panthers in a pivotal win in 2011, Jones didn’t have a notable game against them from 2012 to 2014. Some of it can be attributed to injury. The other primary reason stems from Carolina being the superior team, which limited Jones.
That was evident in the first meeting in 2015, when the Panthers shut out the Falcons in a 38-0 demolition. It became a party on the Carolina sideline at one point with players dabbing everywhere (remember those days?). Ra’Shede Hageman pushed Bryan Cox during the humiliating defeat to make matters worse. In a season that had already unraveled after a 5-0 start, Dan Quinn’s first season as head coach hit its biggest low against a division rival.
Jones was still on pace to be the most prolific receiver in the league, but the feeling of not making the playoffs for the third consecutive season was discouraging. All he could do was continue being the best at his position in the process of trying to beat the best teams. The Panthers were 14-0 entering the Georgia Dome with aspirations of going undefeated.
After annihilating the Falcons two weeks prior, they had all the confidence to continue their astonishing season. It was time for Jones to crush those dreams and help inject much-needed spirit into a fading team, especially Matt Ryan, who was having the worst season in his career.
Overcoming Obstacles
As the 2015 season went on, the Falcons’ offense was heavily reliant on Jones and Devonta Freeman. Father Time had arrived for Roddy White. Leonard Hankerson had fallen out of favor with the coaching staff. As reliable as Jacob Tamme was as a secondary option, he couldn’t be counted on as a primary receiving option. It was bizarre for Kyle Shanahan’s offense to be so constricted in its operation, led by a franchise quarterback who initially struggled to acclimate to his system.
They managed to work with what they had with a methodical game plan in this matchup. A 16-play, 80-yard touchdown drive response to Carolina’s opening touchdown drive set the tone for what was going to be an intense rematch. Jones had a few catches off comebacks and quick slants early on. Everything picked up in the second half, which included moments against Josh Norman, who was at his peak in 2015.
The matchup wasn’t as anticipated because Carolina played far more zone than man coverage. There were still moments when Norman squared up against him. Unsurprisingly, Jones won those battles.
Per Pro Football Focus, Jones caught five passes for 80 yards on six targets against the 2015 first-team All-Pro cornerback. He repeatedly beat him on comebacks and dig routes, including one where Norman failed to tackle him in the open field, leading to a 25-yard gain on a third and eight.
The superstar wide receiver produced another explosive play in the fourth quarter on a 30-yard reception, where Norman didn’t close him down fast enough on another dig route. For the Falcons to be competitive, Jones had to be efficient while being heavily featured. He did exactly that with nine receptions for 178 yards on 11 targets. For them to pull off the dramatic upset, a highlight-reel touchdown was necessary.
Rising Up To Maximum Heights
Occasionally, a broken play can translate into a game-changing moment. It usually involves an athletic quarterback escaping the pocket to make a play out of structure. The idea of Ryan shifting to his left and throwing the ball 50 yards downfield wasn’t ideal, especially considering his turnover woes that year. Then again, it was third and 13 with the Falcons down 10-7 near the end of the third quarter. Why not take a chance throwing downfield to your superhuman playmaker? It might give the offense the spark it desperately needed.
That decision became a signature moment in not only Jones’ career but also an unfortunate one in Luke Kuechly’s legendary career. Jones was double-covered downfield with Kuechly and Kurt Coleman chasing him. Carolina decided to play some form of deep zone to prevent the Falcons from converting on third and 13. With Jones lined up in the slot, they had their stud inside linebacker and safety covering him downfield. That coverage should have Ryan looking elsewhere, yet he was left no choice but to take a chance.
Coleman stumbled to the ground, leaving Kuechly having to make a play on the ball 50 yards downfield against the NFL’s most terrifying wide receiver. Kuechly made a decent attempt at breaking up the pass. That made the 70-yard touchdown catch only more gratifying as Jones rose to high-point the ball over him.
What looked like a play that could only happen in a video game turned into reality, which can be said to describe several of Jones’ catches over his career. It was a picture-perfect leaping grab to maintain full body control while having the concentration and balance to stay upright afterward to get into the end zone.
That touchdown drove the Falcons to pull off the monumental, emotional upset victory. They wanted to get back at the Panthers for their excessive celebrations after being embarrassed in the first meeting. O’Brien Schofield was vocal about how the team felt disrespected by their actions. The best response to humiliation is to use it as a teachable moment and perform at the highest level.
That’s what they did to become the only team to beat the Panthers in the regular season. Jones finished his sensational year in style. It wouldn’t take long for him to make history against them again.
The Legend of Julio Jones: Greatest Games List
Final Takeover
Giant Takeover
Another memorable Monday night
Historic night in Lambeau
College Rivalry Reignited
Playoff explosion