21-19 Panthers early in 4th

Atlanta has sliced into Carolina's lead again -- it's now 21-19 early in the fourth quarter.

The Falcons drove 59 yards in 11 plays, ending the drive with a fourth-down, 3-yard TD reception by Justin Peelle from Matt Ryan.

Ryan has played better in the second half so far and Jake Delhomme has cooled off -- the Panthers are scoreless so far in the half. Carolina did have a 51-yard field goal try from John Kasay, but that was blocked.

After scoring the TD on fourth-and-1 from the 3, the Falcons went for 2 to tie the game. But Ryan couldn't find anyone in the end zone, dumped the ball off to RB Jason Snelling and saw him tackled at the 5 by Carolina's Chris Gamble.

So that was something of a moral victory for Carolina, and the Panthers still lead -- but barely.