There are very few games involving the Atlanta Falcons that end up being normal. No matter the coach, the Falcons just manage to turn simple plays and games into complete nonsense. The same can almost be said for the Panthers as well.
During Sunday’s Week 8 game between the Falcons and Panthers, Atlanta had an opportunity to ice the game but elected to kick a field goal and stretch the lead to six with under a minute to play. That was all Panthers quarterback P.J. Walker needed to make something happen.
With 23 seconds to go, Walker connected with Moore on a game-tying, 62-yard touchdown. The score put the Panthers an extra point away from leaving Atlanta with a win and possession of first place in the NFC South. But keep an eye on Moore …
PJ WALKER JUST DID THAT. HAIL MARY TO DJ MOORE. pic.twitter.com/dDYwoZhaGG
— NFL (@NFL) October 30, 2022
Moore was called for an unsportsmanlike penalty for removing his helmet during the celebration. The 15-yard penalty forced the Panthers into a 48-yard extra point, which Eddy Pineiro missed.
And then the Panthers miss the extra point. pic.twitter.com/ex2yNtb7oh
— Baseball GIFs (@gifs_baseball) October 30, 2022
The wild sequence sent the game into overtime, and NFL fans had so many thoughts on Moore’s crazy touchdown and penalty.
This was how Twitter reacted
DJ Moore is an idiot…talented and clutch and on this afternoon and in this instance a self-indulgent idiot.
— Michael Wilbon (@RealMikeWilbon) October 30, 2022
If you're last name is Moore…
DON'T excessively celebrate a clutch TD in the final seconds of the 4th quarter vs a division rival with an important extra point pending! https://t.co/cwDfrmZToq pic.twitter.com/R83MWVdtwb
— JD5 for Heisman (@CarterthePower) October 30, 2022
Gonna tell my grandkids this was DJ Moore pic.twitter.com/Up9YLMoLDB
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) October 30, 2022
DJ Moore takes his helmet off after potentially catching gm winning TD. Will get unsportsmanlike conduct penalty now gm winning PAT isn’t a sure thing. Guys never get it.
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) October 30, 2022
you're telling me a team missed a critical PAT which got pushed back 15 yards after a receiver named Moore scored a touchdown but committed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty? pic.twitter.com/E0PMXpxkzH
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) October 30, 2022
Panthers after DJ Moore TD vs Panthers after DJ Moore penalty pic.twitter.com/xpEUvmpsyS
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) October 30, 2022
And all of that work DJ Moore took his helmet off and made his kicker try the extra point from Athens, Georgia instead of 35 yards away.
Got this man job on the line because you can’t make it to the sideline with your lid. Dang
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) October 30, 2022
DJ Moore if you come to the Ravens you can take your helmet off and the kicker won’t miss
— Spencer N. Schultz (@ravens4dummies) October 30, 2022
DJ Moore should have kept his helmet on blah blah Yea yea yea.
Make the kick man.
— Will Blackmon 🍷 (@WillBlackmon) October 30, 2022
Moore needs to know to keep that helmet on, but an NFL kicker should make that kick regardless. The Falcons ended up winning that completely normal game, and 37-34.