Panthers Rout Falcons 34-3 in Week 2
Carolina Panthers 34, Atlanta Falcons 3 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Bryce Young went 23 of 36 for 287 yards with 3 touchdowns.
Quarter Scoring
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Panthers | 10 | 10 | 14 | 0 | 34 |
 Falcons | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Falcons Leaders
Panthers Leaders
Team Stats
| Panthers | Stat | Falcons |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | 1st Downs | 17 |
| 12 | Passing 1st downs | 10 |
| 5 | Rushing 1st downs | 7 |
| 1 | 1st downs from penalties | 0 |
| 6-14 | 3rd down efficiency | 4-13 |
| 1-2 | 4th down efficiency | 1-2 |
| 60 | Total Plays | 67 |
| 340 | Total Yards | 286 |
| 5.7 | Yards per Play | 4.3 |
| 11 | Total Drives | 12 |
| 272 | Passing | 129 |
| 23/36 | Comp/Att | 18/32 |
| 7.2 | Yards per pass | 3.7 |
| 0 | Interceptions thrown | 3 |
| 2-15 | Sacks-Yards Lost | 3-16 |
| 68 | Rushing | 157 |
| 22 | Rushing Attempts | 32 |
| 3.1 | Yards per rush | 4.9 |
| 3-6 | Red Zone (Made-Att) | 0-0 |
| 9-63 | Penalties | 6-39 |
| 0 | Turnovers | 5 |
| 0 | Fumbles lost | 2 |
| 0 | Interceptions thrown | 3 |
| 1 | Defensive / Special Teams TDs | 0 |
| 29:31 | Possession | 30:29 |
Scoring Plays
7 scores Week 2: Panthers Visit Falcons With Atlanta's Quarterback Still Unsettled
Read the full recap →The Carolina Panthers visit the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 20, in the first NFC South game for both 0-1 teams. Atlanta had no update Monday on Tua Tagovailoa's oblique strain or Michael Penix Jr.'s readiness, leaving Cooper Rush, who threw two interceptions including a pick-six in the 20-13 loss at Pittsburgh, as the likely starter again. Carolina allowed 59 points and 533 yards to Chicago in the highest-scoring opener in league history, though Bryce Young threw for 361 yards and three touchdowns and the Panthers swept Atlanta last season. Friday update: Penix was ruled out and Tagovailoa is doubtful, so Rush is in line to start.
Who plays quarterback for Atlanta
Kevin Stefanski said practice on Wednesday would tell him more. Rush's Week 1 was the least efficient of any starter by adjusted EPA; Penix has been targeted for Week 2 or 3 by reporting.
Carolina's defense after 59
Chicago ran for 291 yards and six touchdowns. Atlanta's Bijan Robinson is the next test for a run defense already missing Nic Scourton for the season.
Young's production is real
Three passing touchdowns and a rushing score against Chicago; the three turnovers, one a muffed punt, were what buried Carolina.
Pregame AI Prediction
How the prediction did
Predicted 24-20 (Panthers vs Falcons), final was 34-3. Right winner, badly short on the margin. The model called Atlanta's quarterback situation the weakest in the league this week, and Cooper Rush threw two interceptions as the Falcons turned it over five times. Bryce Young threw three touchdown passes and Devin Lloyd returned an interception for a score. Carolina won by 31 against a projected 4.
Panthers Falcons Atlanta's quarterback situation is the weakest in the league this week
Rush or a rusty Penix against a Carolina defense that, for all its Week 1 problems, faces a far less explosive offense than Chicago's.
Young outplayed his opposite number in Week 1 by a wide margin
Carolina's passing game produced 361 yards; Atlanta's produced 143.
Carolina's defense could give this away
Robinson behind Atlanta's line against a front that allowed 7.5 yards per carry is the reason this stays a coin flip.
A slight road lean driven by Atlanta's quarterback uncertainty. If Penix is named the starter and looks close to full speed, the pick flips.
Venue
Closing Line
Officials
Futures odds for these teams
Super Bowl futures, win totals & where to bet
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Falcons Injuries