CHARLOTTE — The Panthers are heading home and into their divisional matchups this week, welcoming the Atlanta Falcons to Charlotte this Sunday for the home opener.
The Panthers are 23-37 all-time against the Falcons. Carolina is 14-16 at home and 9-22 on the road. Carolina is 1-4 in overtime against Atlanta.
The latest win came in Week 18 last season, when Bryce Young went for five touchdowns—including the famous turnaround shot à la Steph Curry—and the Panthers won in overtime.
As anyone in the locker room will tell you, and is apt to this week, that was last year. These are two new teams. With that in mind, get to know this early 2025 edition of the Atlanta Falcons.
Here's Bijan
The Falcons' offense goes as Bijan Robinson goes. The running back drives the machine with his legs, his pass-catching ability out of the backfield, and his attitude that any play can be explosive. It's hard not to believe him when he continually creates them himself.
Through the first two weeks, Robinson has 34 carries for 167 yards (fifth in the league), plus nine receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown through the air. According to Next Gen Stats, since entering the NFL, Robinson has the most receptions for a running back in a wide alignment (meaning he's flexed to the outside in a receiver position).
But Robinson's bread and butter is juking defenders as he runs wild up the middle and into the open field. Against the Vikings on Sunday Night Football, the running back picked up 143 rushing yards on 22 carries, generating 42 rushing yards over expected. He forced nine missed tackles on the night, gaining 50 extra yards after missed tackles.
The latest on Michael Penix Jr.
Michael Penix Jr. spent much of his rookie season in flux, playing in spots, thrust into a quarterback competition with Kirk Cousins that no one saw coming. He was able to prepare for 2025, though knowing he was the guy. The result has been a production through two games that is quickly outpacing his average from last season.
So far, he's gone 40-63 through the air (63.5 completion percentage) for 433 yards and a passing touchdown, while adding seven rushes for 20 yards and a rushing touchdown, the latter of which spawned a thousand Space Jam memes in Week 1.
Penix got into a quarterback duel with Bryce Young in the 2024 season finale, going 21-38 for 312 yards and two touchdowns and an interception, plus a rushing touchdown against the Panthers.
Pressure is coming
The Falcons added to their defense in this year's draft, and rookies have shown up through two weeks. Rookie safety Xavier Watts picked off JJ McCarthy on Sunday night for a game-sealing interception, while fellow rookie safety Billy Bowman Jr. is tied with veteran Jessie Bates III and linebacker Divine Deablo for the team-high 10 tackles each.
Eight players have recorded at least 0.5 sacks, as the unit has put together 7.0 total. This Falcons defense recorded 16 pressures and 6.0 sacks against J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings offense, generating pressure on 53.3 percent of dropbacks, the team's highest rate since Week 15, 2018.
According to Next Gen Stats, in Sunday's win against the Vikings, the Falcons defense sent extra rushers on 43.3 percent of dropbacks, the third-highest blitz rate under head coach Raheem Morris.
Carolina is 21-35 all-time against Atlanta dating all the way back to 1995.
Carolina Panthers free safety Tre Boston (33) runs back a intercepted ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. Boston scored on the play. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons on December 31, 2017 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons on December 31, 2017 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2012, file photo, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) dives into the end zone for a touchdown as Atlanta Falcons' Chris Owens (21) pursues during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C. The Panthers second-year quarterback had his best game of the season, but the highlight occurred as he was crossing the goal line to complete a 72-yard scoring run. He somersaulted into the end zone, and as his legs were in the air, he was nudged slightly by a Falcons defensive back. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt, File)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick is stopped by Carolina Panthers linebacker Dan Morgan (55) and defensive back Deveron Harper, left, as he scrambles during the first half in Atlanta, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2001. (AP Photo/Alan Mothner)
Carolina Panthers strong safety Kurt Coleman (20) celebrates his interception and touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick (7) is forced out of bounds by Carolina Panthers' Mark Fields (58) and Dan Morgan, rear, during the third quarter Saturday, Dec. 18, 2004 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
FILE Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) runs as Atlanta Falcons' DeAngelo Hall (21) closes in during their NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., in a Sunday Dec. 4, 2005 photo. Tedy Bruschi didn't get a chance to tackle Steve Smith when the Patriots played the Panthers in September. By midseason, he'd made a remarkable comeback from a stroke and was starting for New England. His return was as impressive as Smith's achievement of returning from a knee injury that cost the Carolina receiver nearly all of the 2004 season. On Thursday, Jan. 5, 2006, they shared The Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year award. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, file)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick (7) is sacked by Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) during the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 24-6 win in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Dec. 4, 2005.(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' DeShaun Foster (26) celebrates after a touchdown past Atlanta Falcons' DeAngelo Hall (21) during the first quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Dec. 4, 2005.(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Les Miller (69) sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tony Graziani (13) in the second quarter of their NFL game at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Oct. 26, 1997. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panther Cam Newton (1) signals for a first down against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panther Christian McCaffrey (22) scores against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panther Cam Newton (1) dives for the end zone against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers Mike Adams (29) intercepts a pass against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panther Devin Funchess (17) looks for running room against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panther Luke Kuechly (59) against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play the final regular season game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on Sunday, December 28, 2014, in Atlanta, GA.
Carolina Panthers play the final regular season game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on Sunday, December 28, 2014, in Atlanta, GA.
Carolina Panthers play the final regular season game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on Sunday, December 28, 2014, in Atlanta, GA.
Carolina Panthers play the final regular season game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on Sunday, December 28, 2014, in Atlanta, GA.
Carolina Panthers strong safety Juston Burris (31), free safety Tre Boston (33), and Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Jeremy Chinn (21) celebrate an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Atlanta. The Carolina Panthers won 23-16. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) scrambles past Atlanta Falcons' Sean Weatherspoon (56), Kroy Biermann (71) and Chris Hope (24) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. The Panthers won 30-20. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers play against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 3, 2013.
Carolina Panthers play against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 3, 2013.
Carolina Panthers play against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 3, 2013.
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) signals a first down after a run as Atlanta Falcons' Sean Weatherspoon (56) and Chris Hope (24) move downfield during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. The Panthers won 30-20. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton greets fans after the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, in Atlanta. The Carolina Panthers won 21-20. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
