Panthers Shut Out Falcons 30-0 in Dominant Home Victory

The Associated Press

The Carolina Panthers earned their first win of the 2025 season in convincing fashion, blanking the Atlanta Falcons 30-0 at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The win snapped a two-game skid for Carolina and marked the team’s first shutout victory since 2020. Second-year quarterback Bryce Young bounced back from early-season struggles by delivering a clean performance. While he threw for only 121 yards on 16-of-24 passing, he added a 4-yard rushing touchdown on the Panthers’ opening drive and avoided turnovers after coughing up the ball five times in the previous two games. Carolina’s defense, led by coordinator Ejiro Evero, was the true star of the afternoon. The unit forced three turnovers, including a third-quarter interception returned 11 yards for a touchdown by rookie cornerback Chau Smith-Wade. The Panthers also held Atlanta to just 5-of-16 on third and fourth down conversions, while allowing only 172 passing yards and shutting the Falcons out entirely.

“When you score in every phase, you give yourself a great chance to win,” Panthers head coach Dave Canales said after the game. The Panthers achieved the shutout despite missing key defensive contributors, including defensive end Turk Wharton and linebacker Pat Jones. Defensive end Derrick Brown said the performance reflected what the team had shown during training camp. “This is what we’ve been waiting for coming out of camp,” Brown said. “To be able to come out here and put it on display and get the result we did today, we’re happy about it” .

On the other side of the field, Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. struggled throughout the game. He completed just 18 of 36 passes and threw two interceptions before being benched for veteran Kirk Cousins in the fourth quarter with the game already out of reach. Despite the poor showing, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris confirmed that Penix would remain the starter.

“Game was out of hand. Move on and take some guys out of harm’s way," Morris said.

The Falcons’ only bright spot was running back Bijan Robinson, who totaled 111 yards from scrimmage. Kicker Parker Romo, who impressed with five field goals in his debut last week, missed both of his attempts on Sunday from 49 and 55 yards. The Panthers extended their lead in the second half with Smith-Wade’s pick-6 and a 1-yard touchdown run by backup running back Rico Dowdle. Rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald also contributed three field goals, including a 57-yarder in the second quarter.

Young praised the home crowd and his team’s execution. “It was electric,” he said. “There was great energy, and to start like that at home means a lot” (Associated Press).

Injuries: The Falcons reported no injuries, while Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders left in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury and did not return.

Up Next: The Falcons (1–2) will host the Washington Commanders next Sunday, while the Panthers (1–2) travel to face the New England Patriots.