Photos: Falcons open season with win over Panthers

Sports

Photos: Falcons open season with win over Panthers

The Falcons hosted and defeated the Panthers, 24-10, on Sunday in the opening game of the 2023 NFL season.

Falcons linebacker Lorenzo Carter (0) sacks Panthers quarterback Bryce Young during the second half on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Falcons linebacker Lorenzo Carter reacts after sacking Panthers quarterback Bryce Young during the second half on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Atlanta Falcons defensive line stops Carolina Panther running back Miles Sanders during the third quarter on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Falcons running back Bijan Robinson breaks the defensive line during the second half in a season opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Troy Andersen (44) reacts after sacking Panthers quarterback Bryce Young during the second half on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier reacts after scoring his second touchdown against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) dives for his second touchdown during the second half against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Troy Andersen (44) sacked Panthers quarterback Bryce Young during the second half on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Falcons head coach Arthur Smith reacts to a call during the second half against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder passes during the second half against the Carolina Panthers in a season opener on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Carolina Panthers players try to stop Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier as he ran for yards during the first half in a season opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Atlanta Falcons celebrate a touchdown by running back Tyler Allgeier (25) during the second half against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier leaves the field after the Falcons defeated 24-14 in a season opener on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder leaves the field after the Falcons defeated 24-14 in a season opener on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) reacts tight end MyCole Pruitt (85)after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier dives for a touchdown during the second half against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (right) exchanges words with Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young after the Falcons defeated 24-10 in a season opener on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (right) speaks with Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young after the Falcons defeated 24-10 in a season opener on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) runs for yards during the first half in a season opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Falcons running back Bijan Robinson celebrates after he scored a touchdown during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) and tight end Kyle Pitts (8) celebrate with running back Bijan Robinson (7) after he scored a touchdown during the first half in a season opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) runs with the ball after a touchdown during the first half in a season opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) runs with the ball after a touchdown during the first half in a season opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Falcons safety Jessie Bates III reacts after intercepting the ball in the first half in a season opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Vinny Dorsey “Da’ Falconator” reacts as he poses with his belt by the Home Depot backyard before the Falcons season opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Atlanta.

Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

James Burgess, from Atlanta, shows his belt in support of the Atlanta Falcons outside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium before the Falcon’s season opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Atlanta. Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Panthers fan Benjamin Willis and Falcons fan Steven Lance (center) are seen playing corn hole by the Home Depot backyard before the Falcons season opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Atlanta.
Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Juan Smith (left) bought tickets for the family to celebrate his dad J.C.’s 50th birthday for the Falcons season opener;. They came from Syracuse with his brother Mario and mother Shyla Smith. Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Myishia Williams takes a cellphone photo of T.J. and Misty Wright with Falcons mascots Freddie and Lil Fred by the Home Depot backyard before the Falcons season opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Atlanta. Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Daniela Calderon takes a photo of Aaron Ortiz by the Falcon outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium before the Falcons season opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Atlanta. Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Kent Berry takes a selfie with Michael Berry by the Falcon outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium prior to the Falcons season opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Atlanta. Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Fans walk by Gate 2 as they enter Mercedes-Benz Stadium prior to the Falcons season opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Atlanta.
Miguel Martinez/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Falcons and Panthers fans walk by the Home Depot backyard before the Falcons season opener game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Atlanta.
Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder applauds as he gets ready to greet his offensive line during warm-ups before the Falcons face the Carolina Panthers in a season opener on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Falcons Owner Arthur Blank greets Panthers owner David Tepper during their team’s warm-up session before the Falcons face the Carolina Panthers in a season opener on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder throws the ball during warm-ups before the Falcons face the Carolina Panthers in a season opener on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Falcons running back Bijan Robinson catches the ball during warm-ups prior to the season opener game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Falcons head coach Arthur Smith chats with the coaching staff during his team during warm-ups before the Falcons face the Carolina Panthers in a season opener on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

Falcons head coach Arthur Smith gives directions to Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) and Falcons tight end Jonnu Smith (81) during warm-ups before the Falcons face the Carolina Panthers in a season opener on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

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Credit: Miguel Martinez

Falcons linebacker Lorenzo Carter (0) sacks Panthers quarterback Bryce Young during the second half on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Miguel Martinz/miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com

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