PHOTOS: Falcons struggled offensively, defense can only do so much

Sports

PHOTOS: Falcons struggled offensively, defense can only do so much

The Falcons didn't mount much offense, and from the start, they just struggled on offense, with Jack Strand taking over for Cooper Rush.

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank enters the field moments before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, September 20, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons defensive end Za’Darius Smith (55) reacts during warm-ups before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, September 20, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush (13) runs with the ball during warm-ups before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, September 20, 2026..(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush (13) attempts a pass during warm-ups before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, September 20, 2026.(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons defensive end Za’Darius Smith (55) reacts during warm-ups before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, September 20, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons defensive end Za’Darius Smith (55) is seen during warm-ups before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, September 20, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) catches the ball during warm-ups before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, September 20, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Divine Deablo (0) left, and Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III (3) share a moment during warm-ups before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, September 20, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons defensive end Za’Darius Smith (55) is seen during warm-ups before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, September 20, 2026. \f (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons defensive end Za’Darius Smith (55) runs a drill with Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor (71) during warm-ups before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, September 20, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) runs with the ball during warm-ups before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, September 20, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III (3) catches the vball during warm-ups before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, September 20, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush (13) rushes with the ball on his first play, just before a fumble, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, September 20, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush (13) watches the ball be stripped for a fumble on his first play of the game, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, September 20, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Carolina Panthers safety Nick Scott (21), left, celebrates with Carolina Panthers safety Zakee Wheatley (20 after recovering a fumble during the first half of an NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, September 20, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Carolina Panthers safety Nick Scott (21), left, celebrates after recovering a fumble during the first half of an NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, September 20, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski watches the screens after quarterback Cooper Rush (13) fumbles during the first half of an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, September 20, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. (24) receives assistance from the medical staff after an injury timeout in the first half of an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, September 20, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. (9), Tua Tagovailoa (1) watches the game from the side lines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. (9) and Tua Tagovailoa (1) react from the sidelines after a play in the first half of an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, September 20, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush (13) attempts a pass in the first half of an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, September 20, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush (13) is sacked by Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Terah Edwards (93) in the first half of an NFL game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush (13) attempts a pass in the first half of an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, September 20, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush (13) attempts a pass in the first half of an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, September 20, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

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Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank enters the field moments before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, September 20, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

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