Young throws 3 TD passes, including 2 to Waller, as Panthers dominate short-handed Falcons 34-3

ATLANTA (AP) — In his previous visit to Atlanta, Bryce Young commanded the spotlight.

This time, Young shared the glory with Devin Lloyd and the Carolina defense.

Young threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns, including two to Darren Waller, Lloyd returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown and the Panthers routed the short-handed Atlanta Falcons 34-3 on Sunday.

The Panthers (1-1) earned their fourth straight win in the NFC South rivalry. Young completed 23 of 36 passes as he improved to 5-1 against the Falcons. He set a franchise record with 448 yards passing in a 30-27 overtime win to cap last season's sweep.

The Panthers defense enjoyed a dramatic turnaround one week after setting franchise records for points and rushing touchdowns allowed in a 59-37 loss to Chicago.

“It was a collective effort,” said coach Dave Canales. “We knew they were going to try to run the ball after last week. And the defense came together. We shored up some things.”

Lloyd had nine tackles, one sack and three pass deflections in addition to two of the Panthers' three interceptions.

“Man, it was special,” said Young of Lloyd's performance. "He’s a leader. He does all the little things that, you know, people don’t see. For it to come out in a performance like that, it is really cool to see. I don’t know if I’ve been a part of something that cool. ... I mean, that’s surreal. It was really fun to watch.”

With fill-in starter Cooper Rush at quarterback, the Falcons (0-2) had more offensive woes following their 20-13 opening loss at Pittsburgh last week. Michael Penix Jr. (knee) and Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) again were inactive.

Rush completed 10 of 17 passes for 86 yards with two interceptions and also lost a fumble.

The Panthers held the Falcons to only 286 yards, including 72 rushing yards by Bijan Robinson. The Falcons’ only points came on Nick Folk’s 41-yard field goal.

Connecting with Waller

Waller, 34, has developed a quick chemistry with Young after signing with Carolina on Aug. 13. He had three catches for 33 yards, including the scoring catches of 12 and 7 yards.

“He has played so much ball, so obviously he’s a pro,” Young said. "Us getting on the same page quickly has been just a lot of conversation ... being able to have a guy that’s played so much ball that I trust.”

No Rush to assign blame

Following his first home regular-season game as Atlanta's coach, Kevin Stefanski said Rush did not deserve all the blame for the loss.

“Cooper’s giving us everything he’s got, and unfortunately, you know, we turned the ball over there, including on the first play, which should never be a turnover,” Stefanski said. “So those are the types of things ... those are correctable. We’ve got to get them fixed.”

Stefanski would not announce a starting quarterback for Thursday night's game at Green Bay.

Booing the Birds

Rush's struggles from his very first snap were so dramatic that some Falcons fans were booing six minutes into the game. He lost a fumble on a 9-yard run to open the game. Atlanta’s second possession ended when Rush’s pass intended for Robinson was intercepted by linebacker Bobby Okereke. There were more boos during the game.

“I love our fans a lot, every single one of them,” Robinson said. “If we let ourselves focus on the boos and things like that, that will creep into our mind and that will make us have a bad performance. I know that just comes with the game. It's our job for them to not boo.”

Rush was replaced by undrafted rookie Jack Strand late in the third quarter, prompting an ovation from Falcons fans. Strand's first possession ended badly as his pass for Jahan Dotson was intercepted by Lloyd and returned 16 yards for a touchdown. Strand lost a fumbled snap on his final possession.

Injuries

Panthers safety Nick Scott (ribs) left in the first quarter and was ruled out. Linebacker Claudin Cherelus suffered a shoulder injury on kickoff coverage in the first quarter and was listed as questionable. Linebacker Trevis Gipson Sr. returned after being evaluated for a possible concussion. Running back Jonathon Brooks aggravated a groin injury. Defensive tackle Bobby Brown III (back) was inactive.

Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell, who had been questionable with a shoulder injury, left in the first quarter with a groin injury. Linebacker Samson Ebukam (hamstring) left late in the first half. RT Jawaan Taylor (ribs) was listed as questionable in the fourth quarter. Right guard Chris Lindstrom (concussion protocol) started after being listed as questionable.

Up next

Panthers: at Cleveland next Sunday.

Falcons: at Green Bay on Thursday night.

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