Final2026 Week 2

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA

Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons, Week 2 2026

Carolina Panthers

AwayWon

34

Atlanta Falcons

Home

3

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Panthers101014034
Falcons03003

CAR 34ATL 3 Final

  • Passing leader

    Bryce Young

    CAR · QB

    24.1PPR pts

    23/36, 287 YDS, 3 TD

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Darren Waller

    CAR · TE

    18.3PPR pts

    3 REC, 33 YDS, 2 TD

  • Falcons leader

    Bijan Robinson

    ATL · RB

    11.1PPR pts

    16 ATT, 72 YDS, 3 REC, 9 REC YDS

  • Defensive playmaker

    Devin Lloyd

    CAR

    2 INT, 1 TD, 1 SACK, 9 TKL

Panthers 34, Falcons 3: Carolina leads from start to finish

Carolina led 20–3 at halftime and outscored Atlanta 14–0 after the break to win 34–3. The Panthers finished with a 340–286 edge in total offense and averaged 5.7 yards per play.

The gap showed up everywhere. The Falcons went 4-for-13 on third down and committed five turnovers, while the Panthers finished without a giveaway.

The two teams meet again in Week 18 of 2026. If you roster anyone from either side, run the start/sit call in Redraft Command and it will weigh your lineup, your opponent and your league scoring, not only the player rankings.

Key advantages

  • +1.4 yards/play CAR 5.7 · ATL 4.3
  • +5 turnover margin CAR 0 turnovers
  • +54 total yards CAR 340 · ATL 286

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Panthers Won

Carolina won the efficiency, turnover, and third-down battles.

Team stats comparison, Panthers vs Falcons
PanthersStatFalcons
5.7Yards per play4.3
0Turnovers5
340Total yards286
Other team stats
60Plays67
43%Third-down conversion31%
29:31Time of possession30:29

Scoring Summary

The Panthers scored four touchdowns and two field goals; the Falcons scored one field goal.

Scoring plays, Panthers vs Falcons
TimeTeamPlayCARATL
1st quarter
10:48CARBryce Young → Chuba Hubbard, 3-yard TD Takes leadRyan Fitzgerald XP70
4:29CARRyan Fitzgerald 37-yard FG Extends lead100
2nd quarter
5:54CARRyan Fitzgerald 25-yard FG Extends lead130
1:07ATLNick Folk 41-yard FG133
0:20CARBryce Young → Darren Waller, 7-yard TD Extends leadRyan Fitzgerald XP203
3rd quarter
9:38CARBryce Young → Darren Waller, 12-yard TD Extends leadRyan Fitzgerald XP273
2:58CARDevin Lloyd 16-yard interception return TD Extends leadRyan Fitzgerald XP343
4th quarter
No scoring

Fantasy Points: Panthers vs Falcons, Week 2 2026

Fantasy leaders

  1. Bryce YoungCARQB24.1 PTSQB7
  2. Darren WallerCARTE18.3 PTSTE5
  3. Tetairoa McMillanCARWR15.1 PTSWR16
  4. Jalen CokerCARWR14.6 PTSWR18

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Bryce YoungCARQB24.1QB723/3628730160116.3Start/Sit →
Cooper RushATLQB1.4QB3410/178602220032.6
Jack StrandATLQB1.0QB358/155901216035.1
Kenny PickettCARQB-0.4—————1-40—Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Darren WallerCARTE18.3TE5TE———33332Start/Sit →
Tetairoa McMillanCARWR15.1WR16WR———1051010Start/Sit →
Jalen CokerCARWR14.6WR18WR———98660Start/Sit →
Chuba HubbardCARRB14.4RB10RB1253022111Start/Sit →
Bijan RobinsonATLRB11.1RB20RB167204390Start/Sit →
Drake LondonATLWR8.9WR38WR1-2054510Start/Sit →
Brian RobinsonATLRB8.7RB30RB1151022160
Xavier LegetteCARWR8.4WR45WR———42640Start/Sit →
Austin HooperATLTE4.0TE27TE———42200Start/Sit →
Zachariah BranchATLWR3.4WR86WR———22140Start/Sit →
Jahan DotsonATLWR3.1WR88WR———42110Start/Sit →
Kyle PittsATLTE2.5TE39TE———31150
Mitchell EvansCARTE2.3TE43TE———11130Start/Sit →
Jonathon BrooksCARRB2.1RB65RB516011-50
Chris BlairATLWR1.6WR108WR———3160Start/Sit →
Tommy TrembleCARTE1.4TE53TE———2140Start/Sit →
Olamide ZaccheausATLWR1.3WR113WR———3130Start/Sit →
Charlie WoernerATLTE0.0—TE———1000Start/Sit →
AJ DillonCARRB-0.3—RB3-30————Start/Sit →

Fantasy Usage

Carolina Panthers

Snap Share

  1. Tetairoa McMillanWR53 snaps80%
  2. Jalen CokerWR50 snaps76%
  3. Chuba HubbardRB43 snaps65%
  4. Mitchell EvansTE38 snaps58%
  5. Tommy TrembleTE37 snaps56%

Target Share32 targets

  1. Tetairoa McMillan31%, 10 targets
  2. Jalen Coker28%, 9 targets
  3. Xavier Legette13%, 4 targets
  4. Darren Waller9%, 3 targets
  5. Chuba Hubbard6%, 2 targets
  6. Other13%, 4 targets

Carry Share22 carries

  1. Chuba Hubbard55%, 12 carries
  2. Jonathon Brooks23%, 5 carries
  3. AJ Dillon14%, 3 carries
  4. Kenny Pickett5%, 1 carries
  5. Bryce Young5%, 1 carries

Atlanta Falcons

Snap Share

  1. Jahan DotsonWR52 snaps75%
  2. Drake LondonWR43 snaps62%
  3. Bijan RobinsonRB35 snaps51%
  4. Charlie WoernerTE34 snaps49%
  5. Chris BlairWR34 snaps49%

Target Share31 targets

  1. Drake London16%, 5 targets
  2. Austin Hooper13%, 4 targets
  3. Jahan Dotson13%, 4 targets
  4. Bijan Robinson13%, 4 targets
  5. Olamide Zaccheaus10%, 3 targets
  6. Other35%, 11 targets

Carry Share32 carries

  1. Bijan Robinson50%, 16 carries
  2. Brian Robinson34%, 11 carries
  3. Cooper Rush6%, 2 carries
  4. Jack Strand6%, 2 carries
  5. Drake London3%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Tetairoa McMillanCARWR5380%1031%0
Jalen CokerCARWR5076%928%0
Jahan DotsonATLWR5275%413%0
Chuba HubbardCARRB4365%26%12
Drake LondonATLWR4362%516%1
Mitchell EvansCARTE3858%13%0
Tommy TrembleCARTE3756%26%0
Bijan RobinsonATLRB3551%413%16
Xavier LegetteCARWR3350%413%0
Charlie WoernerATLTE3449%13%0
Chris BlairATLWR3449%310%0
Brian RobinsonATLRB3348%26%11
Darren WallerCARTE2944%39%0
Austin HooperATLTE3043%413%0
Olamide ZaccheausATLWR3043%310%0
Kyle PittsATLTE2638%310%0
Jonathon BrooksCARRB2030%13%5
Nick MuseATLTE1420%00%0
Zachariah BranchATLWR1420%26%0
Brycen TremayneCARWR1117%00%0
John MetchieCARWR711%00%0
AJ DillonCARRB46%00%3
Feleipe FranksCARTE46%00%0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

  • Biggest overperformer+13.1Darren Waller18.3 PTS vs 5.2 xFP
  • Biggest underperformer−7.7Cooper Rush1.4 PTS vs 9.1 xFP
  • Highest expected volume17.5 xFPTetairoa McMillan15.1 PTS scored
Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Tetairoa McMillanCAR · WR15.117.5−2.480%31% tgt—000%1031%
Bryce YoungCAR · QB24.117.4+6.794%36 att—3615%00%
Bijan RobinsonATL · RB11.116.6−5.551%50% car—01650%413%
Jalen CokerCAR · WR14.615.7−1.176%28% tgt—000%928%
Chuba HubbardCAR · RB14.410.7+3.765%55% car—01255%26%
Brian Robinson Jr.ATL · RB8.710.1−1.448%34% car—01134%26%
Drake LondonATL · WR8.99.3−0.462%16% tgt—013%516%
Cooper RushATL · QB1.49.1−7.758%17 att—1726%00%
Jack StrandATL · QB1.08.2−7.242%15 att—1526%00%
Austin HooperATL · TE4.07.0−3.043%13% tgt—000%413%
Jahan DotsonATL · WR3.17.0−3.975%13% tgt—000%413%
Xavier LegetteCAR · WR8.47.0+1.450%13% tgt—000%413%
Chris BlairATL · WR1.65.2−3.649%10% tgt—000%310%
Darren WallerCAR · TE18.35.2+13.144%9% tgt—000%39%
Kyle Pitts Sr.ATL · TE2.55.2−2.738%10% tgt—000%310%
Olamide ZaccheausATL · WR1.35.2−3.943%10% tgt—000%310%
Jonathon BrooksCAR · RB2.14.8−2.730%23% car—0523%13%
Tommy TrembleCAR · TE1.43.5−2.156%6% tgt—000%26%
Zachariah BranchATL · WR3.43.5−0.120%6% tgt—000%26%
AJ DillonCAR · RB-0.31.8−2.16%14% car—0314%00%
Charlie WoernerATL · TE0.01.7−1.749%3% tgt—000%13%
Mitchell EvansCAR · TE2.31.7+0.658%3% tgt—000%13%
Kenny PickettCAR · QB-0.40.6−1.06%0 att—015%00%

Team totals: Panthers 32 targets and 22 carries; Falcons 31 targets and 32 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2026 season: 1.75 PPR points per target (68% catch rate), 0.60 per carry and 0.47 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Bryce Young Ran hot

CAR · QB · 24.1 pts on 17.4 expected

23 of 36 passing for 287 yards, 3 touchdowns; 1 carry for 6 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 17.4 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat. Next up: Week 4 against the Lions. Bet on the role more than the result.

Start/Sit: Bryce Young →

Cooper Rush Unlucky

ATL · QB · 1.4 pts on 9.1 expected

10 of 17 passing for 86 yards, 2 interceptions; 2 carries for 20 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 9.1 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't. Next up: Week 4 against the Saints. Bet on the role more than the result.

Tetairoa McMillan Volume, no payoff

CAR · WR · 15.1 pts on 17.5 expected

10 targets (31% of the team's), 5 catches for 101 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 17.5 expected. Next up: Week 4 against the Lions. Bet on the role more than the result.

Trend: Season high in targets (10).

Start/Sit: Tetairoa McMillan →

Jalen Coker

CAR · WR · 14.6 pts on 15.7 expected

9 targets (28% of the team's), 8 catches for 66 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 15.7 expected. Next up: Week 4 against the Lions. Bet on the role more than the result.

Start/Sit: Jalen Coker →

Bijan Robinson Unlucky

ATL · RB · 11.1 pts on 16.6 expected

4 targets (13% of the team's), 3 catches for 9 yards; 16 carries (50% of the team's) for 72 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 16.6 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't. Next up: Week 4 against the Saints. Bet on the role more than the result.

Start/Sit: Bijan Robinson →

Brian Robinson Jr.

ATL · RB · 8.7 pts on 10.1 expected

2 targets (6% of the team's), 2 catches for 16 yards; 11 carries (34% of the team's) for 51 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 10.1 expected. Next up: Week 4 against the Saints. Bet on the role more than the result.

Trend: Season high in carries (11).

Jack Strand Unlucky

ATL · QB · 1.0 pts on 8.2 expected

8 of 15 passing for 59 yards, 1 interception; 2 carries for 16 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 8.2 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't. Next up: Week 4 against the Saints. Bet on the role more than the result.

Darren Waller Ran hot

CAR · TE · 18.3 pts on 5.2 expected

3 targets (9% of the team's), 3 catches for 33 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 5.2 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat. Next up: Week 4 against the Lions. Bet on the role more than the result.

Start/Sit: Darren Waller →

Start/Sit Decisions

Stock Up, Stock Down

Carolina Panthers

  • Stock up: Mitchell Evans played 58% of the snaps, up from a 40% season average.

Atlanta Falcons

  • Stock up: Brian Robinson Jr. played 48% of the snaps, up from a 25% season average.
  • Stock up: Austin Hooper played 43% of the snaps, up from a 23% season average.
  • Stock up: Chris Blair played 49% of the snaps, up from a 17% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2026 through Week 3.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Panthers defense and Falcons defense
Points allowed toPanthers DFalcons D
QBs19.318.6
RBs30.512.8
WRs21.838.5
TEs14.017.2

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Atlanta opened at 43% win probability and fell below 2% in the third quarter.

Falcons win probability

Falcons win probability by game minuteFalcons started at 43%, stood at 3% at halftime and finished at 0%, across 7 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. −19Young → Hubbard, 3-yd TD43% → 24%Q1 10:48
  2. −7Fitzgerald 37-yd FG23% → 16%Q1 4:29
  3. −5Fitzgerald 25-yd FG14% → 8%Q2 5:54
  4. +5Folk 41-yd FG7% → 12%Q2 1:07
  5. −9Young → Waller, 7-yd TD12% → 3%Q2 0:20

Swing in Falcons win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Panthers vs Falcons
Carolina PanthersMeasureAtlanta Falcons
60Plays67
63%Pass rate52%
7.2Yds / dropback3.7
3.1Yds / carry4.9
6/14Third downs4/13

Efficiency edge Carolina ran 7 fewer plays but gained 3.5 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • CAR McMillan 31% · Coker 28% · Legette 13%
  • ATL London 16% · Hooper 13% · Robinson 13%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Panthers vs Falcons
ResultCARATL
Touchdowns30
Field goals21
Punts43
Turnovers05
Turnovers on downs11
Missed field goals01

CAR turnover edge: +5

  • The Panthers opened the scoring on their first possession, a 8-play, 35-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
  • The Panthers drained the clock with two second-half drives of four to six minutes.
All 23 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
ATLQ1 15:00190:30Fumble
CARQ1 14:308353:42Touchdown
ATLQ1 10:484191:49Interception
CARQ1 8:593-50:23Punt
ATLQ1 8:36351:21Punt
CARQ1 7:157102:46Field goal
ATLQ1 4:297373:49Downs
CARQ1 0:403-62:35Punt
ATLQ2 13:055123:35Punt
CARQ2 9:309733:36Field goal
ATLQ2 5:5413654:47Field goal
CARQ2 1:076730:47Touchdown
ATLQ2 0:20240:20End of half
CARQ3 15:0010735:22Touchdown
ATLQ3 9:385272:41Interception
CARQ3 6:577182:30Downs
ATLQ3 4:27381:29Interception
ATLQ3 2:586193:04Punt
CARQ4 14:545164:46Punt
ATLQ4 10:0810294:23Missed FG
CARQ4 5:453-32:22Punt
ATLQ4 3:2310312:41Fumble
CARQ4 0:421-40:42End of game
About these numbers

The Panthers' interception touchdown is counted as a Falcons interception, not as a Panthers possession. Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Panthers vs Falcons Head-to-Head

The Panthers and Falcons first met in 1995 and have played 63 times since. They have been NFC South rivals since 1995.

All-time series
37–26Falcons lead, 63 meetings since 1995
Postseason
0No playoff meetings
Largest Panthers win
38–02015
Largest Falcons win
41–02002

Since 2021

7–4 Panthers lead

11 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. P = Panthers win, F = Falcons win, outlined = this game.

2026 Meetings

  • Week 18 Falcons at Panthers Upcoming

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 3)

The 2026 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Panthers vs Falcons
PanthersStatFalcons
1-2Record1-2
29.7Points per game17.0
392.7Yards per game340.7
6.0Yards per play5.4
27.7Points allowed per game22.7
365.7Yards allowed per game310.7

Panthers vs Falcons Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread
CAR −2.5Panthers covered by 28.5
Total
43.5Under: 37 points scored (by 6.5)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
TeamImpliedActualDifference
Panthers23.034+11.0
Falcons20.53−17.5

The Panthers beat their implied total and the Falcons fell short of theirs; the Fantasy tab has the player lines behind it.

Betting Trends

Last 6 meetings: Panthers 4–2 ATS, unders 4–2.

Each team's 2026 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Carolina Panthers

Against the spread
1–1
Over/under
1–1
ATS as favorite
1–0
ATS as underdog
0–1
ATS on the road
1–0

Atlanta Falcons

Against the spread
0–2
Over/under
0–2
ATS as underdog
0–2
ATS at home
0–1

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Panthers vs Falcons Fantasy Outlook for 2026

One meeting is left on the 2026 schedule: Week 18 in Carolina. Here's how to decide who to play in your league.

Keep Exploring

2026 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Panthers vs Falcons Game FAQ

Who won the 2026 Panthers vs Falcons Week 2 game?

The Carolina Panthers beat the Atlanta Falcons 34–3 in Week 2 of the 2026 season. The game was played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on September 20, 2026. See the Panthers' 2026 schedule.

What was the final score of Panthers vs Falcons?

The final score was Panthers 34, Falcons 3. The Panthers led 20–3 at halftime, and the second half went Panthers 14, Falcons 0.

What happened in the Panthers vs Falcons game?

Carolina led 20–3 at halftime and outscored Atlanta 14–0 after the break to win 34–3. The Panthers finished with a 340–286 edge in total offense and averaged 5.7 yards per play. Bryce Young led all players with 23 of 36 passing for 287 yards and 3 touchdowns, plus a carry for 6 rushing yards. The Falcons committed 5 turnovers, the Panthers none.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Panthers vs Falcons?

Bryce Young led the game with 24.1 PPR fantasy points, the QB7 of Week 2, on 23 of 36 passing for 287 yards and 3 touchdowns, plus a carry for 6 rushing yards. Darren Waller was next with 18.3 (TE5). See Bryce Young's 2026 game log.

Who led Panthers vs Falcons in passing, rushing and receiving?

Bryce Young (CAR) led all passers with 23 of 36 for 287 yards and 3 touchdowns. Bijan Robinson (ATL) led in rushing with 16 carries for 72 yards. Tetairoa McMillan (CAR) led in receiving with 5 catches for 101 yards.

How many fantasy points did Bryce Young score against the Falcons?

Bryce Young scored 24.1 fantasy points against the Falcons in Week 2 of the 2026 season, the same in PPR, half-PPR and standard scoring because he had no catches, on 23 of 36 passing for 287 yards and 3 touchdowns, plus a carry for 6 rushing yards.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Panthers vs Falcons?

Darren Waller outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 18.3 PPR points on 5.2 xFP (+13.1). Cooper Rush fell furthest short, with 1.4 points on 9.1 xFP (−7.7). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

Who had the highest expected fantasy points in Panthers vs Falcons?

Tetairoa McMillan had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 17.5 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 15.1. Expected points measure the volume of a player's pass attempts, carries and targets, not how well he used them.

How did the Panthers beat the Falcons?

The Panthers beat the Falcons 34–3 because they averaged 5.7 yards per play to 4.3, won the turnover battle 5–0, and outgained them 340–286.

Which team won the turnover battle in Panthers vs Falcons?

The Panthers won the turnover battle 5–0: the Falcons gave the ball away 5 times and the Panthers not at all. The Panthers won the game.

What is the all-time Panthers vs Falcons record?

The Falcons lead the all-time series 37–26 across 63 meetings since 1995.

When did the Panthers and Falcons last play before this game?

Before Week 2 of 2026, they last met in the 2025 season on November 16, 2025, when the Panthers beat the Falcons 30–27.

What was the closing spread for Panthers vs Falcons?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Panthers −2.5, making the Carolina Panthers 2.5-point favorites, with a closing total of 43.5. That implied about 23.0 points for the Panthers and 20.5 for the Falcons.

Did Panthers vs Falcons go over or under the total?

The game went under. The consensus closing total was 43.5, and the teams combined for 37 points, 6.5 under the number.

Who covered the spread in Panthers vs Falcons?

The Panthers covered by 28.5 against the closing line of Panthers −2.5. The final margin was 31 points.