Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Anthony Rizzuti

Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons game recap: Everything we know

Buy Panthers Tickets

Despite the red-hot anticipation, the Carolina Panthers’ Bryce Age got off to a pretty chilly start on Sunday afternoon.

Here’s everything we know from the team’s season-opening loss to the Atlanta Falcons:

Final score: Falcons 24, Panthers 10

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Keys to the game

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
  • Headlined by the first two interceptions of quarterback Bryce Young’s NFL career, the Falcons dominated the turnover battle—three to zero. The other giveaway for the Panthers came on a fumble by running back Miles Sanders near the end of the third quarter, which stalled a drive that was in Atlanta territory with the game tied at 10.
  • All three of those takeaways would help light up the scoreboard for the Falcons—as they promptly turned Young’s picks into 10 points and Sanders’ fumble into three.
  • Even when they weren’t handing the rock over, Young and the offense couldn’t get much going through the air. The rookie finished his debut having completed 20  of his 38 throws for 146 yards, a touchdown and the two interceptions.

It was over when . . .

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Already up 17-10, the Falcons took possession at their own 44-yard line just after the midway point of the fourth quarter. On the fourth play of the touch, quarterback Desmond Ridder found tight end Kyle Pitts—who beat cornerback CJ Henderson—for a dazzling 35-yard reception.

Running back Tyler Allgeier, two plays later, reached the end zone on a 3-yard run to stretch the lead to 24-10 with 4:48 remaining.

Players of the game

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
  • OLB Brian Burns: seven tackles (one for a loss), 1.5 sack
  • DT Derrick Brown: nine tackles (two for a loss) 1.0 sack
  • RB Chuba Hubbard: nine carries, 67 rushing yards

What's next?

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Head coach Frank Reich and the Panthers will head back to Charlotte for their home opener—a Monday night matchup with the New Orleans Saints.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.