Overview
- The Panthers beat the Atlanta Falcons 34-3 on Sunday after a Week 1 collapse, with Carolina forcing five turnovers and holding Atlanta to 286 yards.
- Devin Lloyd had nine tackles, two interceptions including a 16-yard pick-six, a sack and multiple pass breakups in a game that coach Dave Canales called one of the best linebacker performances he has seen.
- NFL statisticians said Lloyd became the first linebacker since sacks were made official in 1982 to record at least eight tackles, two interceptions, a sack and an interception return for a touchdown in a single game.
- Analysts and teammates noted the Falcons were without starters Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr., which tempers some evaluation of the result even as the defense limited Atlanta’s longest play to 17 yards.
- Carolina’s offense also performed well on Sunday with Bryce Young completing 23 of 36 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns, and the team now shifts focus to next week’s tougher matchup at Cleveland.