Atlanta fails to score a point in Sunday’s 30-0 blowout to Carolina.

The Atlanta Falcons technically showed up for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers, but it didn’t seem like it. The Panthers shut the Falcons out, 30-0, to get their first win of the season in Week 3. From interceptions to missed field goals, Sunday’s loss was about as bad as it gets for Atlanta.

The offense was sloppy, the defense was bad, and the Falcons are now 1-2 with some tough games coming up. Michael Penix Jr. threw two interceptions, including a pick-six, and the team just never seemed to find any rhythm. The defense gave up two key fourth downs and couldn’t stop Bryce Young when it mattered.

The offense moved the ball but again failed to put points on the board and was far too pass-happy throughout the game. Check out the highlights and postgame press conferences from the Falcons’ 30-0 loss to the Panthers below.

Falcons vs. Panthers: Full game highlights from Week 3Falcons postgame press conferences: Watch Live

Falcons head coach says team sticking with Penix as QB1

Raheem Morris made it clear that Penix was still the team’s starting quarterback despite pulling him in garbage time of Sunday’s 30-0 loss to the Panthers. Kirk Cousins finished 5-of-7 for 29 yards in his first action since Week 15 of the 2024 NFL season. “The game was out of hand,” Morris said of his decision to bring in Cousins.

Kirk Cousins enters game, Falcons lose 30-0

Kirk Cousins has replaced Michael Penix Jr. in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against the Panthers. Cousins went 5-for-7 for 29 yards. The Falcons trail against the Panthers, 30-0, with 3:41 left in the game.

Falcons give up field goal, Penix picked again

Penix threw his second interception of the day in the third quarter of Sunday’s game against the Panthers. The Panthers hold a 20-0 lead at the start of the fourth quarter. Carolina has a chance to go up by four scores as they approach the red zone.

Penix throws pick-six, Panthers take 17-0 lead

Penix threw a swing pass out to Bijan Robinson that was picked off for an easy touchdown for Panthers defensive back Chau Smith-Wade. The Panthers took a 17-0 lead with 11:39 left in the third quarter.

Falcons 0, Panthers 7 at halftime

The Falcons got into field goal range before halftime but the clock ran out after a completion to Darnell Mooney. The Panthers hold a 10-0 lead at halftime. In the first half, Michael Penix Jr. is 12-of-21 for 119 passing yards. Bijan Robinson rushed for 40 yards on nine carries, adding 38 receiving yards on three catches. Darnell Mooney has three catches for 39 yards and Kyle Pitts has two catches for 26 yards.

Falcons punt right back to Panthers with 2 min left in 1st half

The Falcons are struggling more as this games ones on. After another quick punt, the Panthers took over with two minutes left in the first half. A penalty stalled the Panthers’ drive and the Falcons got the ball back with 1:01 left in the quarter. Panthers 10, Falcons 0.

Panthers take 10-0 lead after 57-yard field goal

After the Falcons missed their first two field goal attempts, the Panthers showed them how it’s done. Ryan Fitzgerald converted on a 57-yard attempt to take a 10-0 lead with 5:24 left in the first half.

Falcons fail to convert on third down, punt ball to Panthers

The Falcons offense has had some trouble sustaining drives thus far. Penix nearly hit Darnell Mooney on third down but it went through the veteran wide receiver’s hands.

Panthers’ drive stalls at 44-yard line

The Falcons blitzed the Panthers on 3rd-and-7 and forced an incompletion to stall the Panthers’ drive just as the first quarter winds down. Panthers 7, Falcons 0 with four seconds left in the first quarter. After a 37-yard punt, the Falcons take back over on offense.

Falcons go three-and-out, Panthers fumble back to Atlanta

The Falcons had 3rd-and-1 but took a delay of game to make it 3rd-and-6. After failing to convert, the Panthers muffed the punt and the Falcons took over again. After two straight incompletions, Atlanta missed its second field goal attempts. Panthers 7, Falcons 0 – 3:28 left in first quarter.

Panthers move ball well on first drive

After the Falcons’ missed field, the Panthers took over and marched right down the field. Bryce Young hit five of his first six pass attempts for 51 yards. Carolina is in the red zone with 6:52 left in the first quarter. Young scrambled for the touchdown, but a flag was thrown. After discussing the penalty, the officials waived it off. Panthers 7, Falcons 0 | 6:44 left in first quarter.

Falcons’ opening drive

Michael Penix Jr. misses his first pass to Kyle Pitts, but he bounced back with a nice completion to Drake London for a 10-yard gain and a first down. Darnell Mooney nearly caught a deep pass over the middle but it was ruled incomplete. Penix hit Mooney again on the next play for a first down. Atlanta is now at midfield. Penix hits London for another first down. Drive stalls at 34-yard line. Parker Romo misses 49-yard field goal attempt. Falcons 0, Panthers 0. 10:50 left in the first quarter.

Falcons Week 3 inactives: 5 players ruled outWR Jamal AgnewCB AJ TerrellOL Jack NelsonWR Casey WashingtonDL Sam Roberts

Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell and return man Jamal Agnew headline the team’s Week 3 inactives. Rookie offensive tackle Jack Nelson, wide receiver Casey Washington and defensive lineman Sam Roberts are out for today’s game as well.

Panthers Week 3 inactives: 6 players ruled outWR Jimmy Horn Jr.WR Xavier LegetteC Nick SamacTE James MitchellOLB Patrick Jones Jr.DT Tershawn Wharton

As you can see above, the Panthers have ruled out both wide receivers Jimmy Horn Jr. and Xavier Legette for Sunday’s NFC South showdown in Carolina. Expect a big day from Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen.

What time does Falcons vs. Panthers start?  Date: Sunday, Sept. 21Time: 1 p.m. ETWhere: Bank of America Stadium

The Falcons and Panthers will kick things off at 1:00 p.m. ET at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. It will be the Panthers’ 2025 home opener. After starting the season 0-2 on the road, Carolina will look for some much-needed home-field advantage in Week 3.

What TV channel is Falcons vs. Panthers game on today?TV channel: FOXStreaming:  | NFL+ | Fubo (free trial)

The Falcons-Panthers game will air Sunday afternoon on FOX. Commentators Alex Faust and Matt Millen will be in the broadcast booth for FOX. Falcons fans will have to get by without Jonathan Vilma for the week.

Falcons-Panthers TV map: Game in orange

Check out the FOX Week 3 TV Map for the afternoon slot below. The Falcons-Panthers game will air in the orange-shaded areas on the map. (Image via 506 Sports)

Falcons Wire Staff picks for Week 3

Deen Worley (1-1): Falcons

After getting their first win of the season against the Vikings a week ago, the Falcons will face off against an NFC South rival as they travel to Carolina in Week 3. They will be doing so without A.J. Terrell, who exited the game early last week with an injury, and is sidelined this week as a result. However, Carolina will also be without two defensive starters dut to injury. With that being said, it should be a solid showing for the Falcons. | Falcons 28, Panthers 20.

Crissy Froyd (1-1): Falcons

Atlanta bounced back last week after a close, disappointing home loss in the season opener against the Bucs. The Falcons meet another division opponent in the Panthers, who remain winless this season. Atlanta has experienced an upswing on defense and bringing the pressure, also with sparks offensively from Michael Penix Jr. and the running game. This ultimately proves too much for the Panthers defense to handle | Falcons 27, Panthers 24.

Matt Urben (2-0): Falcons

The last time these two teams played, it was an offensive showcase for quarterbacks Bryce Young and Michael Penix Jr. I don’t think this matchup will be as high scoring, though. Atlanta’s defense put the clamps on J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings last week, holding them without a touchdown. I think the Panthers will hang tough for the first three-and-a-half quarters before the Falcons pull away. | Falcons 26, Panthers 21.

Falcons injury report: A.J. Terrell OUT vs. Panthers

The Falcons won’t have No. 1 cornerback A.J. Terrell against the Panthers on Sunday. Along with Terrell, wide receiver Casey Washington and return specialist Jamal Agnew were ruled out for Week 3. Cornerback Mike Ford is questionable. On the bright side, Kyle Pitts, Darnell Mooney and James Pearce Jr. are good to go for today’s game.

CB A.J. Terrell (hamstring): DNP (OUT)WR Jamal Agnew (groin): DNP (OUT)WR Casey Washington (head): LP (OUT)CB Mike Ford (groin): LP (QUEST.)Falcons tickets

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Falcons Week 3 uniforms: All-white on the road

The Falcons will be wearing their all-white uniforms on the road against the Panthers on Sunday, according to the team’s social media account.

Falcons offensive starting lineupQB Michael Penix Jr.RB Bijan RobinsonWR Drake LondonWR Darnell MooneyWR Ray-Ray McCloudTE Kyle PittsLT Jake MatthewsLG Matthew BergeronC Ryan NeuzilRG Chris LindstromRT Elijah WilkinsonFalcons defensive starting lineupEDGE Leonard FloydDL Brandon DorlusDL David OnyemataEDGE Arnold EbiketieLB Divine DeabloLB Kaden EllissCB A.J. TerrellCB Mike HughesS Jessie Bates IIIS Xavier WattsFalcons special teams lineupK Parker RomoP Bradley PinionLS Liam McCulloughFalcons regular-season schedule 2025

Below is Atlanta’s regular-season schedule.

Week 1: Loss (23-20) BuccaneersWeek 2: WIN (22-6) At VikingsWeek 3: At Carolina PanthersWeek 4: Washington CommandersWeek 5: BYE WEEKWeek 6: Buffalo Bills (MNF)Week 7: At San Francisco 49ers (SNF)Week 8: Miami DolphinsWeek 9: At New England PatriotsWeek 10: At Indianapolis Colts (Germany)Week 11: Carolina PanthersWeek 12: At New Orleans SaintsWeek 13: At New York JetsWeek 14: Seattle SeahawksWeek 15: At Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TNF)Week 16: At Arizona CardinalsWeek 17: Los Angeles Rams (MNF)Week 18: New Orleans Saints