CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CAROLINA SPORTS LIVE) — It’s been 259 days since the Duke Energy Building in Uptown displayed the victory ‘V’ at the top of the Charlotte Skyline. It returns Sunday night.
The Carolina Panthers cruised to a 30-0 win over the Atlanta Falcons. The first shutout for the team since November of 2020, when they beat the Detroit Lions 20-0.
If you watched Black & Blue Kickoff Live Sunday morning, then you know former Panthers defensive end Al Wallace’s biggest key to victory was getting off to a hot start. That’s exactly what the Panthers did as they used a mixture of weekly fourth captain Brycen Tremayne and Tetairoa McMillan to get into the red zone, where Bryce Young would eventually run it in for a four-yard touchdown.
For Bryce, it was one of his most composed showings since arriving in Carolina. While none of his long ball throws hit today, he did put the Panthers in a good spot to put up points. Just 16 for 24 passing with 121 yards, with the most impressive throw being an off-balance circus sideline catch to McMillan. Bryce has the locker room believing in him again.
“Blessed. I feel great. I’m super proud of this team. Complete team performance. All three phases,” said Bryce. “We wanted to make sure we started fast. We put an emphasis on having urgency. Defense set the tone. Great stop to start off. Us on offense getting a score, I think we were able to go with that. That was big.”
Ejiro Evero’s defense preyed upon an underperforming Atlanta offense. Michael Penix Jr. would end his day early. The second-year QB looked uneasy, to say the least. MPJ went 18 for 36 on 172 yards and two interceptions before getting pulled for veteran Kirk Cousins. Penix’s two picks had Bank of America Stadium jumping. Mike Jackson had one. The other was a pick-six taken to the house by Chau Smith-Wade. While the Panthers failed to register a sack, the defense kept Atlanta running back Bijan Robinson at bay. Just 72 yards rushing, but he would add 39 extra in receiving. Biggest thing of all, though? Carolina kept him out of the end zone.
“We didn’t have Terk (Wharton), we didn’t have Pat (Jones) out there, but we have good depth inside. They did a good job of executing the plan together,” said head coach Dave Canales. “Nic (Scourton) filled in on the edge and played really physical. Tre Moehrig had some beautiful plays in the perimeter and in the box. The tackle has improved each week. That’s something we got to continue to challenge our guys, but it all starts up front, and the guys did a good job of executing today.”
Extra Points
- Ja’Tavion Sanders left the game early in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury
- Rookie Kicker Ryan Fitzgerald had a career-long 57-yard FG in the second quarter. It’s tied for the second-longest field goal in franchise history
- Rico Dowdle got his first touchdown as a Carolina Panther
Carolina will try and take the momentum from its first win of the season into New England when they play the Patriots next Sunday. Kick off starts at 1 p.m. on Queen City News.