After starting the 2025 season with a pair of road trips, the Carolina Panthers return to their home turf on Sunday—to open up Bank of America Stadium in an NFC South showdown.
While both journeys proved to be unsuccessful, the Panthers enter Week 3 with a tiny shred of momentum from their valiant comeback attempt against the Arizona Cardinals. Even in coming up short, both the offense and defense hunkered down and showed signs of progress.
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They’ll be hosting an Atlanta Falcons team coming off a big prime-time victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
If the Panthers are to knock off the visitors for their first win of the campaign, here are four matchups that should factor into that upset . . .
Panthers QB Bryce Young vs. turnovers
One of the biggest obstacles the Panthers have faced thus far is the early-game turnovers from their quarterback, and Young already has four of them (five in total) in two games.
In Week 1 versus the Jacksonville Jaguars, he threw an interception on the offense’s second possession and then fumbled away the rock two drives later. In Week 2, he coughed the ball up on a fumble on the first touch and then on a pick during the second.
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Young’s lapses in ball security have contributed to the holes Carolina put themselves in over both outings. They’ve now looked up at not one, but two 20-3 deficits at the half.
For this week, it’s simple—Young must take care of the football. That may be a tough task against a defense that boasts a pair of hungry rookie defensive backs in Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman, both of whom notched their first career interceptions last Sunday.
Panthers OL vs. Falcons pass rush
Atlanta also has a pair of hot rookies off the edge in outside linebackers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. The 2025 first-round picks have combined for 10 pressures, with the latter having already notched a team-high with eight.
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The Falcons’ aggressive attacks from NASCAR packages and overload pressures could pose problems for the Panthers’ offensive line, which will be without two starters in center Austin Corbett and right guard Robert Hunt. With Cade Mays and Chandler Zavala expected to start in their places, respectively, Carolina might have their hands full.
Expect more play action under center that would garner extra blockers from the tackles. Pass protection will be crucial this weekend.
Panthers run defense vs. Falcons RB Bijan Robinson
Robinson, perhaps the most dynamic player in the game right now, enters with 292 yards from scrimmage in Weeks 1 and 2. He also had great numbers against the Panthers in 2024, running for a whopping 265 yards with an EPA rushing total of +15.5 in two games.
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He’ll be the main focus for a Panthers defense that, outside of a few explosives, has been better at facing the run. A huge part of that improvement can be attributed to the return of Pro Bowl defensive lineman Derrick Brown, who has amassed six stops.
Panthers CB Jaycee Horn vs. Falcons WR Drake London
Horn has been absolutely outstanding to start the campaign. He, per Pro Football Focus, has allowed just two receptions for a total of 14 yards over six targets.
And Drake London, well, has pretty much been Drake London. He’s been credited with 19 targets already, proving to be the focal point of Atlanta’s aerial attack.
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These two will match up for what’s sure to be an interesting clash. Last season saw Horn give up a 3-yard touchdown to London in the Falcons’ Week 6 victory at The Bank.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers vs. Falcons 2025: Key matchups for Week 3