Overview

• Carolina generated a plus-two turnover margin with three takeaways, including a pick-six by Chau Smith-Wade and a 54-yard interception return by Mike Jackson.
• Rookie Ryan Fitzgerald was perfect on kicks and used knuckleball kickoffs to pin Atlanta, which started on average at its 19-yard line and twice at the 10, as the Falcons missed two field goals.
• Bryce Young went 16-of-24 for 121 yards with a 4-yard rushing touchdown, neutralizing a 63% blitz rate by getting the ball out quickly and taking only one sack.
• Despite being outgained 332-224, the Panthers posted their eighth franchise shutout and first since Nov. 22, 2020, improving to 1-2 while dropping Atlanta to 1-2.
• Coach Dave Canales said RG Robert Hunt had successful biceps surgery with an end-of-season return the earliest target and C Austin Corbett is expected to miss roughly 6–8 weeks, with TE Ja'Tavion Sanders and WR Xavier Legette to be re-evaluated ahead of a road trip to New England.