We are just two weeks into the NFL season and we have already seen the tale of two teams for the Carolina Panthers. In their home opener against the Chicago Bears, they allowed a mind boggling 59 points and the defense looked absolutely helpless. On Sunday, the Panthers traveled down I-85 to Georgia to take on their division rivals, the Atlanta Falcons and the defense flipped a switch.
Carolina only allowed three points in an impressive 34-3 rout of their division foes. For Dave Canales’ squad, this was a great, clean game that had contributors from every aspect but the highlight of the day was the defense. What already appeared to be Carolina’s biggest weakness all of the sudden became their biggest strength.
Carolina’s defense was under a microscope as they had already been flagged by the league as potentially the worst defensive unit in the NFL. The Panthers responded to this slander exactly the way Carolina fans wanted to see. On the first play from scrimmage, the Panthers forced Falcons QB Cooper Rush out of the pocket and caused a fumble, recovered in Atlanta territory. With excellent field position, Bryce Young and the Panthers’ offense capitalized by finding running back Chuba Hubbard out of the backfield for a three yard touchdown reception on fourth down to make it 7-0 Carolina.
The Panthers never looked back as they scored the first 20 points of the game. Atlanta finally put points on the board late in the second quarter with a Nick Folk 41-yard field goal but that was the only scoring of the game for the Falcons.
The defense of Carolina took advantage of facing a true third string quarterback in Cooper Rush as well as rookie QB Jack Strand taking some snaps later in the contest. The Panthers forced and recovered two fumbles and had three interceptions, including one for a pick-six by LB Devin Lloyd, who the Panthers signed this offseason.
Even when the Panthers were not taking the football away, the pass rush of the defense forced the Falcons to make some quick decisions with the football that often led to a loss of yards or incomplete passes.
A lot of analysts will argue that the Panthers defensive performance on Sunday was not all that impressive just because it was against a Falcons team with a beat up quarterback room. While it is true this gave Carolina an advantage, Atlanta still had playmakers like Drake London, Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts Sr. on the field. With weapons like this you would think any quarterback could at least produce a touchdown against the Panthers. Credit has to be given where credit is due and all of Sunday’s credit belongs to the Carolina defense.
One thing no one can argue with is that Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is absolutely on fire over the first two weeks of the season and Carolina’s OC Brad Idzik seems to be a play calling genius. For the second consecutive week, the Panthers have put up over 30 points and Bryce Young is airing it out, using all of his weapons.
Young went 23/36 in the air on Sunday for 287 yards, only getting sacked twice and not turning the football over. Taking sacks and interceptions from poor decision-making has been Young’s kryptonite in previous years but it appears the offensive line is giving him better protection which allows plays to develop and young rising stars such as Tetairo McMillan and Jalen Coker get open for big gains.
McMillan hit the century mark in receiving yards on Sunday, catching five passes for a total of 101 yards. Coker was the second leading receiver for the Panthers having eight catches for 66 yards.
Idzik’s offensive playbook has opened up for Young with so many weapons, including reliable tight ends that has not been much of a factor in the last three seasons. Darren Waller, Mitchell Evans and Tommy Tremble all contributed to the offense’s success with at least one catch. Waller had three receptions and found the end zone twice as well for two touchdowns.
The Panthers’ win over the Falcons on Sunday was a true statement win. Carolina responded to the criticism their defense received (and deservingly so) after week one. Canales and his staff had their guys clicking on all cylinders and proved they are ready to defend the NFC South. The Panthers will travel to Cleveland to take on the Browns next week for another favorable matchup and look to build on the momentum from this Falcons’ obliteration.
