Panthers pound Falcons, 30-0, in early NFC South match
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Falcons must go back to the drawing board.
After pummeling a playoff team, the Falcons, looking dysfunctional at times, were spanked by the Panthers, 30-0, on Sunday at a festive Bank of America Stadium.
The offense couldn’t move the ball as Atlanta struggled with poor field position throughout. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw two interceptions, including a pick-six to cornerback Chau Smith-Wade, before giving way to Kirk Cousins in the fourth quarter.
The Panthers improved to 1-2, while the Falcons dropped to 1-2.
The last time the Falcons were shut out was 25-0 by New England on Nov. 18, 2021. The last time the Panthers shut out an opponent was a 20-0 win over the Lions on Nov. 22, 2020.
The Falcons switched kickers, but their kicking woes continued.
The offense, which was supposed to be high-octane, did not reach the red zone.
The defense, which was supposed to have a revamped pass rush, had one sack.
So, there is plenty for coach Raheem Morris and his staff to work on moving forward.
Just a week after beating Minnesota 22-6, the Falcons had no answers for Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, who was playing behind an offensive line with two starters out. The Panthers defense, led by defensive tackle Derrick Brown, was stout and forced three turnovers.
Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson had the second interception late in the third quarter and they started partying in the Queen City.
“North Carolina, come on and raise up,” by Petey Pablo was blasted on the stadium loudspeakers and the Panthers fans danced with glee in the stands.
The drive carried into the fourth quarter. On fourth-and-1 from the 1, Rico Dowdle scored.
Cousins entered for the Falcons after it was 27-0 with 10:48 to play.
Ryan Fitzgerald added a 31-yard field goal for the final margin.
The Panthers, behind a 4-yard touchdown run from Young and a 57-yard field goal from Fitzgerald, held a 10-0 lead at halftime. Fitzgerald played at Colquitt County High and Florida State.
The Falcons were misfiring in the passing game and new kicker Parker Romo missed field-goal kicks from 49 and 55 yards. The first was wide right and the second was wide left.
The Falcons had a promising drive to open the game, but it stalled after Penix threw high passes out to his right on second and third down. Romo was summoned, but his 49-yard try was off the mark.
The Panthers answered with a touchdown drive that Young finished off with a run around the left. The run capped a nine-play, 61-yard drive that took 4:06 off the clock.
The Falcons had a three-and-out, but DeMarcco Hellams recovered a fumble on the punt. The Falcons couldn’t get anything going, and Romo came on and missed a 55-yard field goal.
After an exchange of punts, Fitzgerald put the Panthers up 10-0 with 5:24 to play in the first half.
The Falcons were experiencing audio issues in their helmet, which cost them an early timeout.
The first half ended with the Falcons driving, but without any timeouts. The clock ran out with the ball on Carolina’s 33.
The defense forced a punt to start the third quarter. The Falcons started on their 14-yard line.
Smith-Wade stepped in front of a pass intended for Bijan Robinson and returned it 13 yards for a touchdown to make it 17-0 with 11:39 left in the third quarter.
The Falcons, who have posted seven consecutive losing seasons, are set to host Washington at 1 p.m. on Sept. 28 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
