Overview

• Carolina moved to 1-2 with a 30-0 home win, the franchise’s first shutout since 2020 and the NFL’s first of the season, despite Atlanta leading many yardage metrics.
• Three takeaways fueled the rout: Chau Smith-Wade’s 11-yard pick-six, Mike Jackson’s 54-yard interception return, and a Lathan Ransom-forced fumble recovered by Demani Richardson.
• Rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald stayed perfect on kicks and repeatedly dropped knuckleball kickoffs that pinned Atlanta to an average start inside the 20, swinging field position.
• Facing a 63% blitz rate, Bryce Young got the ball out in 2.46 seconds on average, was sacked once, and added a 4-yard rushing touchdown to open the scoring.
• Head coach Dave Canales said guard Robert Hunt had successful biceps surgery with a potential late-season return, center Austin Corbett’s MCL rehab targets roughly 6–8 weeks, and the reshuffled line now heads to New England.