Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Moore (2) reacts after removing his helmet which he is penalized for after catching the game-tying touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers WR DJ Moore comments on costly penalty after loss to Falcons

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated Oct 30, 2022 10:59 PM ET

On Sunday, a lack of awareness likely cost the Carolina Panthers a victory over NFC South rival the Atlanta Falcons.

Trailing the Falcons by six late in the fourth quarter, P.J. Walker connected with wide receiver DJ Moore on a miracle 62-yard touchdown, evening up the score at 34-34 with only 12 seconds to go. While it seemed like Carolina would escape Atlanta with a victory, sitting a simple extra point away from the lead, Moore was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for taking his helmet off after snatching the game-tying score.

PJ WALKER JUST DID THAT. HAIL MARY TO DJ MOORE. pic.twitter.com/dDYwoZhaGG
— NFL (@NFL) October 30, 2022

After Moore's penalty pushed the team back, Panthers' kicker Eddy Pineiro missed the 48-yard extra-point attempt, forcing overtime, where the Falcons ultimately prevailed, 37-34.

Moore spoke about his costly penalty after the loss, saying that taking off his helmet in a moment of celebration was a "natural reaction."

"I've still got to know that I can't do that, especially with time on the clock," Moore told reporters, according to the Charlotte Observer.

Carolina's interim head coach Steve Wilks praised the touchdown but reminded Moore and his team that they needed to keep their focus in those situations.

"Very talented player, glad he's on our team," Wilks said. "But moving forward that's something we'll learn from and we won't make that same mistake."

Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb

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