CHARLOTTE – The Panthers start up the season with a divisional matchup against the Falcons.
Carolina plays Atlanta at 1 p.m. Sunday in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Scroll below for more information on the game, series history, and stats comparison.
Game Reset
- Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta, Ga.
- Sunday, Sept. 10 | 1 p.m. ET | FOX | More info on how to watch here.
- Panthers Roster | Panthers Depth Chart
- Falcons Roster | Falcons Depth Chart
History: Panthers vs. Falcons
- Carolina and Atlanta have played 56 times. Atlanta leads the series 35-21. | Series history
- The Panthers won their last matchup with the Falcons, 25-15, at Bank of America Stadium in November.
- The Falcons hold a 20-8 overall record at home against the Panthers.
2022 Statistical Comparison
| Category | Carolina | Atlanta Falcons |
|---|---|---|
| Offense | ||
| Total Yards Per Game | 306.2 (29th) | 318.6 (24th) |
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 130.0 (10th) | 159.9 (3rd) |
| Rushing Yards Per Attempt | 4.6 (14th) | 4.9 (4th) |
| Passing Net Yards Per Game | 176.2 (29th) | 158.8 (31st) |
| Sacks Allowed | 36 (11th) | 37 (12th) |
| Third Down Efficiency | 31.7 (30th) | 41.8 (10th) |
| Points Per Game | 20.41 (20th) | 21.47 (t-15th) |
| Defense | ||
| Total Yards Allowed Per Game | 350.2 (22nd) | 362.1 (27th) |
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 122.6 (18th) | 130.2 (23rd) |
| Rushing Yards Per Attempt | 4.3 (12th) | 4.4 (18th) |
| Passing Net Yards Per Game | 227.5 (22nd) | 231.9 (25th) |
| Sacks | 35 (t-25th) | 21 (31st) |
| Takeaways | 17 (t-27th) | 17 (t-27th) |
| Third Down Efficiency | 41.1 (23rd) | 45.9 (31st) |
| Points Allowed Per Game | 22.00 (19th) | 22.71 (23rd) |
Matchup notes
- The Panthers kick off the 2023 regular season traveling down I-85 to take on an NFC South divisional foe, the Atlanta Falcons. The Panthers will begin their campaign on the road for the first time since 2017 after five consecutive Week 1 home games.
- This will mark the 57th meeting between the two teams and just the fifth time they have kicked off the season against each other (first since 2006). The Panthers have faced only one other team more times in franchise history – the New Orleans Saints (57 matchups). This will be the ninth time Carolina has kicked off the season with a divisional opponent (first since 2014).
- Head coach Frank Reich's tenure as head coach begins in a familiar place, as he started as the opening day quarterback in the Panthers' inaugural season in 1995 against the Atlanta Falcons.
- The Falcons are led by third-year head coach Arthur Smith. Atlanta finished the 2022 season with a 7-10 record and in fourth place of the NFC South.
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)
