The Carolina Panthers will hit the road for the first time, visiting the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Sept. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Kickoff for the NFC South rivalry game will be 1 p.m., with television coverage on Fox.
The Panthers will be looking to get back on track after losing a 59-37 shootout to the Chicago Bears in Week 1 – a game that saw an NFL record for total points for a season opener. Atlanta also is starting the season 0-1 after dropping its debut to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
🔄 Last Updated: September 14, 2026 3:05 pm
🏟️ Carolina Panthers (0-1) at Atlanta Falcons (0-1)
Date: Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Ga.)
TV: FOX
TV Announcers: Tim Brando (play-by-play), Matt Millen (analyst)
Panthers Radio: WRFX 99.7 The FOX in Charlotte and affiliates across the Panthers Radio Network
Online Audio: Listen to Panthers Radio online
📻 Panthers Radio Broadcast
The Carolina Panthers Radio Network is led by play-by-play announcer Anish Shroff, with Jake Delhomme and Jim Szoke providing analysis. Panthers Hall of Famer Luke Kuechly also joins the broadcast team as an analyst for select games. Szoke hosts the network’s pregame stadium show.
📊 Latest Lines
Opening Spread: Falcons -1.5
Current Spread: Panthers -1.5
Opening Over/Under Total: 44.5 points
Current Over/Under Total: 44.5 points
Moneyline: Panthers -125 | Falcons +105
Lines via DraftKings Sportsbook. Updated Monday, Sept. 14 at 12:30 p.m. ET.
🩹 Injury Updates
Injury reports will be added here beginning Wednesday as the Panthers and Falcons release their first official practice reports of the week.
⏪ Last Time Out
Chicago Bears 59, Carolina Panthers 37 (Sept. 13): The Panthers enjoyed a solid showing from Bryce Young and the offense but found themselves overwhelmed by Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and a potent rushing attack.
Pittsburgh Steelers 20, Atlanta Falcons 13 (Sept. 13): T.J. Watt spoiled opening day for the Falcons, returning an interception 35 yards for a touchdown in the final quarter to seal the game. Bijan Robinson earned 173 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown for Atlanta.
🔍 What to Know About Panthers at Falcons in Week 2
Both teams looking to rebound after Week 1 losses
Carolina and Atlanta will have a sense of urgency about them after falling on opening weekend. The Panthers had major defensive issues in a record-setting 59-37 loss to the Bears on Sunday, giving up six rushing touchdowns and 552 total yards. The Falcons gave a stout defensive effort against the Steelers – only 264 total yards allowed – but a late pick-six doomed their chances at a win.
The Week 2 matchup carries added importance with both teams trying to avoid an 0-2 start, including an early 0-1 hole in NFC South play.
Injuries have disrupted the Falcons’ quarterback room
Michael Penix Jr. is still on the mend from an ACL injury. His status for Sunday’s game will be something to watch as the week progresses. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that Penix’s return could come either against the Panthers this weekend or in Week 3.
Tua Tagovailoa missed the opener with an oblique injury after being considered the starter heading into Week 1, leaving Cooper Rush to run the show. Rush finished 12-of-22 for 143 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. His second INT was returned for a touchdown.
Jalen Coker continues to thrive for the Panthers
Coker has gone from undrafted free agent out of Holy Cross in 2024 to a vital part of the Panthers offensive attack. Carolina signed him to a three-year $35 million extension over the summer, and Coker validated the team’s faith in him with a blockbuster season opener.
The 6-3, 215-pound receiver made eight catches on nine targets and finished with 138 yards and two touchdowns. He turned a Bryce Young pass into a 51-yard explosive TD play in the second quarter.
What kind of adjustments will the Carolina defense make?
The Panthers gave up 291 yards on the ground, the third-most in franchise history. D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai both had 100-yard games, and quarterback Caleb Williams broke free for a 29-yard TD rush.
Things won’t get easier with Carolina’s run defense being forced to defend versatile Falcons running back Bijan Robinson this week. He finished with 83 rushing yards and 20 carries and caught eight passes for 90 yards and a score. How to Panthers clean things up on defense will be one of the key storylines to watch this Sunday.
📊 Panthers at Falcons Stats and Trends
Team Stats
| Stat Category Comparison | Panthers | Falcons |
| OFFENSE | ||
| Points | 37 | 13 |
| Total Yards | 478 | 238 |
| Yards/Play | 7.6 | 3.9 |
| Rush Yards | 125 | 120 |
| Pass Yards | 361 | 143 |
| Third Down | 44.4% | 16.70% |
| DEFENSE | ||
| Points Allowed | 59 | 20 |
| Yards Allowed | 552 | 264 |
| Rush Yards Allowed | 291 | 58 |
| Pass Yards Allowed | 269 | 221 |
| Yards/Play Allowed | 7.8 | 3.9 |
| Third Down Allowed | 71.40% | 23.10% |
| Sacks | 2 | 4 |
| Turnover Differential | -2 | -1 |
⭐ Individual Leaders
| Category | Panthers | Falcons |
| Passing | Bryce Young — 23-37, 361 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT | Cooper Rush — 12-22, 143 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Chuba Hubbard — 10 carries, 49 yards, 1 TD | Bijan Robinson — 21 carries, 83 yards |
| Receiving | Jalen Coker — 8 catches, 138 yards, 2 TD | Bijan Robinson — 8 catches, 90 yards, 1 TD |
| Tackles | Devin Lloyd — 13 (9 solo) | Sydney Brown/Divine Deablo — 7 |
| Sacks | Jaelan Phillips/Princely Umanmielen — 1 | Za’Darius Smith — 2 |
| Field Goals | Ryan Fitzgerald — 1-1 | Nick Folk — 2-4 |
What the Numbers Say
- Two very different Week 1 games: Carolina produced 478 yards and 37 points against Chicago, while Atlanta finished with 238 yards and 13 points against Pittsburgh.
- Carolina’s defensive numbers are alarming: The Panthers allowed 552 yards, including 291 on the ground, while Chicago converted 10 of 14 third downs.
- Atlanta’s defense was much stingier: The Falcons held Pittsburgh to 264 yards, 58 rushing yards and a 23.1% conversion rate on third down.
- Third down could be worth watching: Carolina converted 44.4% of its opportunities offensively but allowed Chicago to convert 71.4%. Atlanta went just 2-for-12 on third down.
- Jalen Coker wasn’t alone. Coker led Carolina with eight catches for 138 yards and two touchdowns, but Tetairoa McMillan added five catches for 75 yards. Chuba Hubbard contributed 87 yards from scrimmage and scored both rushing and receiving touchdowns.
- Atlanta leaned heavily on Bijan Robinson. Robinson led the Falcons in both rushing (83 yards) and receiving (eight catches, 90 yards), accounting for 173 of Atlanta’s 238 offensive yards.
📚 Series History: Panthers vs. Falcons
- The Falcons have the advantage in the all-time series 37-25
- Last Meeting: Carolina edged the Falcons in overtime, 30-27, on Nov. 16, 2025.
- First Meeting: Atlanta won 23-20 in overtime on Sept. 3, 1995 – the Panthers’ first season of existence.
- The Panthers have won the past three meetings, with two games going to OT and the others a 20-0 blowout. Carolina has captured five of the last seven and eight of the previous 12.
🔗 More Carolina Panthers Coverage
- Carolina Panthers Hub Page: Find schedule, team information, links to past games and brief history
- Bears 59, Panthers 37 (Sept. 13): Recapping the Panthers’ season opening loss to visiting Chicago.
