Panthers embarrass Falcons, Young continues year 4 growth

The 2 NFC South rivals both began their years with defeats last week, though they were of very different nature, with a difference of 63 total points being scored in their respective games. Carolina’s prospects entering the season were certainly brighter than those of Atlanta, but the lack of quality within the division has caused plenty of upsets in recent years, and another one was certainly in play entering this afternoon.

Despite a 22-point loss against the Chicago Bears, Bryce Young actually played one of the best games of his young career in the opening week, as he continues to prove why he was selected 1st overall after a sluggish start to his NFL journey.

Cooper Rush’s nightmare outing against the Steelers picked up where it left off, as he fumbled on a design run to turn the ball over in Atlanta territory on the very first play of the game.

Young and the Panthers needed every down they could get to make Rush pay full price for the turnover, but they eventually did, as the quarterback found Chuba Hubbard on 4th and goal for a touchdown to go ahead early.

When it didn’t look like things could get any worse for Rush, they did. A 2nd turnover in 2 drives was forthcoming as Bobby Okereke picked off a deflected pass at midfield. This time, the offense didn’t capitalise fully, settling for a field goal, though one couldn’t blame them for thinking 10 points might be a winning score against Atlanta’s horrendous offense.

Trailing 13-0 to this point, the Falcons were on the verge of entering the red zone for the first time this season when Rush appeared to turn the ball over for a 3rd time in the half. Shortly overturned, the incomplete pass did still bring up 4th down, as Atlanta’s first points came through a field goal.

The result was as good as decided by halftime, as Young capped off a 200-yard first half with his 2nd passing touchdown, this time finding Darren Waller as the Panthers’ lead blew out to 17 points.

Lightning struck twice as Young found Waller for another touchdown to start the third quarter, as Falcons fans began to flock for the exits at the Mercedes-Benz dome.

Rush threw a second interception in what will be hard to beat as the worst quarterback performance of the season, which opened the door for Jack Strand to see NFL action for the first time.

Unfortunately a change in quarterback didn’t result in a change in fortunes, as Strand’s first pass was picked off by Devin Lloyd and returned for another touchdown. The 4th quarter of this game was a complete formality, with Carolina running out as 34-3 winners, as the youthful team continues to grow.

It’s a struggle to find the words to describe Atlanta’s situation now. There are plenty of contenders for the league’s worst team at the moment, but this might see them atop this list. Surely Strand will be afforded a starting debut next week to give fans something to look forward to.

Touchdowns
Carolina: Waller 2, Hubbard, Lloyd
Atlanta: N/A

Top Performers
Carolina: Waller, Young, Lloyd, McMillan, Okereke, Coker
Atlanta: Smith

Injuries
Carolina: N/A
Atlanta: Terrell (groin)

Crowd: TBC