Quarterback Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers have been in more close games this year than they care to remember. Unfortunately, they’ve let most of those games slip away. Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons was no different, other than the fact that the game didn’t so much slip away as Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan ripped the victory from the snake-bitten Panthers.

Newton started strong, completing nine of 14 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns in the first half as the Panthers built a 23-7 lead. But the Falcons and Ryan, who threw four touchdowns on the day, came roaring back in the second half. It was capped off in the fourth quarter when Ryan connected with rookie wide receiver Julio Jones for two touchdowns to seal the win.

Jones, who finished with 104 yards receiving, was quiet for most of the game but caught a 17-yard touchdown pass to give the Falcons a 24-23 lead early in the fourth quarter. Kicker Olindo Mare had the chance to put Carolina back on top with a 36-yard field goal, but he pushed it wide left. Two plays later, on second and 11, Jones caught a pass over the middle, broke a tackle and raced 75 yards to the end zone to give Atlanta (8-5) a 31-23 win, keeping the Falcons’ playoff hopes alive.

Ryan’s comeback shouldn’t be as a big surprise; he’s won six of his last seven starts against the Panthers, including when the teams met earlier this season. In that game the Falcons trailed by three points in the fourth quarter but rallied for a 31-17 win.

As good as the Falcons’ comebacks have been, the Panthers’ fortunes have been just the opposite. For Carolina (4-9), it was the sixth time this season they’ve lost after being ahead or tied in the fourth quarter.

No yips for Yates

The Houston Texans team stats are going to the playoffs for the first time in team history. And they arrived there Sunday with two of the team’s biggest stars on the sidelines. Starting QB Matt Schaub and Pro Bowl wide receiver Andre Johnson are both are out with injuries, Schaub for the remainder of the season. Second-string quarterback Matt Leinart also is sidelined by a broken collarbone. That left third-stringer T.J. Yates to be the conquering hero for the Texans as they traveled to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals’ 10th-ranked pass defense. In just his second career start Yates responded, going 26 of 44 for 300 yards with two TDs — none more important than a 6-yard toss to Kevin Walter with two seconds remaining for a 20-19 win. Yates has now won both of his starts and the Texans have won seven straight en route to the AFC South title. Meanwhile, the Bengals, clinging to playoff hopes at 7-6, will travel to St. Louis to take on the Rams this Sunday.

Skelton gets call, delivers

If Arizona backup quarterback John Skelton has learned anything this season, it’s to always be ready. When starter Kevin Kolb suffered a toe injury earlier this season, Skelton was called upon to take the reins. Though his play was up and down, the Cardinals managed to win three of the four games he started. When Kolb was ready to return last week, Skelton headed back to the bench. Skelton’s time on the bench Sunday against San Francisco was short-lived as Kolb left the game after a blow to the head on Arizona’s third play. Skelton came on to throw for 282 yards and three touchdowns in a 21-19 Cardinals win, handing the Niners just their third loss of the season. Larry Fitzgerald proved to be Skelton’s favorite target, hauling in seven catches for 149 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown. It was the fifth win in six games for Arizona … another NFC West team that is seeing improvement as the season rolls on.

Gronkowksi sets record

There appears to be no stopping New England’s Rob Gronkowski this season. The Patriots team stats’ receiving star set the record for most touchdown catches in a season by a tight end, raising his total to 15 with two more Sunday against the Redskins. The previous mark of 13 TD catches by a tight end was set by Antonio Gates in 2004, then matched by Vernon Davis in 2009. Gronkowski’s record-breaking 14th score came on an 11-yard pass from Tom Brady stats in the first quarter. Then, on the opening drive of the second half, Gronkowski caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Brady. Gronkowski finished the day with six catches for 160 yards, helping lead the Patriots to a 34-27 win over the Redskins.

Raiders ’pack’ it in

Just a few short weeks ago the Oakland Raiders looked like they were emerging from a decade of mediocrity. After downing the Chicago Bears on Nov. 27, Oakland climbed atop the AFC West standings with a 7-4 record. However, the Raidrers had to go on the road for two straight and the results have not been pretty. First, they fell to Miami 34-14. Then came a trip to Green Bay on Sunday to face the undefeated Packers. By the time halftime rolled around, Aaron Rodgers & Co. had already run up a 31-0 lead on the way to a 46-14 victory. To add insult to injury, the Raiders lost their AFC West lead when the Denver Broncos pulled off yet another miraculous comeback to down the Bears 13-10. It was Denver’s sixth straight win. For the Raiders, now 7-6, they’ve got three weeks to make a final push. A return by running back Darren McFadden, who has missed six straight games with a foot injury, could go a long way in helping their suddenly anemic offense.

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