“I’m just so disappointed in myself”

Panthers head coach Matt Rhule used the word “catastrophic” in reference to the turnovers from both his quarterbacks. P.J. Walker came in the game and had an interception of his own.

But Newton’s were momentum-killers, since they brought quick swings in scoring, after the Panthers had driven into Falcons’ territory.

On the first, he admitted he didn’t see linebacker Mykal Walker, who intercepted Newton’s second-quarter pass intended for running back Ameer Abdullah and returned it 66 yards for a touchdown.

For the second, Newton got caught trying to do too much.

On second-and-3 from the Falcons’ 47-yard line late in the third quarter, center Pat Elflein appeared to step on Newton’s foot as he came away from the exchange. Then, as he fell, he tried to pitch the ball to Chuba Hubbard, but it ended up in the hands of defensive end Grady Jarrett instead. The Falcons proceeded to go on a 10-play touchdown drive, to make it a two-score game early in the fourth quarter.

“I tried to hand it off, should have just ate it, and yeah, once again, it comes down to protecting the football,” Newton said. “That’s day one, just winning football. Rec ball, high school, college and professional. Protect the football. And I didn’t do a good job of that today.

“I think that’s what’s so frustrating. I hold myself to a high standard to do those things, and when it doesn’t happen, it’s just inexcusable.”