Panthers vs. Falcons Live Blog: Atlanta Wins 24-10 in Bijan Robinson Debut
Two of the top-10 picks from this year's NFL Draft are set to square off in Week 1 as Bryce Young's Carolina Panthers play Bijan Robinson's Atlanta Falcons.
The Panthers traded up from the No. 9 pick, one spot behind the Falcons, to acquire Young, who they hope will be their next franchise quarterback.
Meanwhile, despite other positions of need on the board, the Falcons opted to select running back Bijan Robinson, making him the highest-selected running back in the draft since Saquon Barkley back in 2018.
The two played against each other last year in college, where Young's Alabama Crimson Tide edged out Bijan's Texas Longhorns. Last night, Texas got revenge on Alabama with a win in Tuscaloosa, and Falcons fans hope Bijan can get revenge on Young and the Panthers.
If the Falcons win today, it will be their first Week 1 victory since 2017, as well as their first time over .500 since that time. It would give Atlanta a lot of momentum in a season where the NFC South title could be within reach.
WHAT: Carolina Panthers (0-0) at Atlanta Falcons (0-0)
WHERE: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia (74,295)
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 10, 2022, 1 p.m. ET
TELEVISION: FOX / FuboTV (try it free)
RADIO: WZGC-FM 92.9 The Game
Tickets vis SI Tickets
Betting via SI SportsBook
SPREAD: Panthers +3.5 (-110), Falcons -3.5 (-110)
TOTAL: 39.5 (o -118, u -110)
MONEYLINE: Panthers +150, Falcons -188
Make sure to follow along with in-game updates as they happen with Falcon Report.
FIRST QUARTER
Atlanta's First Drive: OH NO! The first play for the Falcons is nearly an interception following a tipped pass, and then on third down, Desmond Ridder fumbled the snap, a quick three and out to start the game.
Panthers First Drive: A pass to Miles Sanders secures a first down on a nine-yard run.
Bryce Young also has a case of butter fingers as he fumbles a snap but recovers.
Carolina has driven to the red zone.
The Panthers got for it on fourth and short aaaaand NO GOOD!
The Falcons defense comes up with a big stop! Turnover on downs.
FALCONS SECOND DRIVE:
Allgeier with a BIG RUN for 19 yards! The backup looks like he wants his starting job back. He rushed again for 22 yards, making a case to continue being fed.
The drive drive dies on a pitch to Bijan Robinson, who loses yards.
The Falcons punt again.
PANTHERS SECOND DRIVE:
Pass interference of Adam Thielen backs up Carolina and causes a first and 17.
Jessie Bates III!!! The free agent addition serves Brce Young his first interception of his career.
Falcons ball as the first quarter comes to a close.
On the 11, Robinson catches the ball, eludes a defender, and takes in for the SCORE! The rookie's first NFL Touchdown comes on a third-down reception!
Falcons lead 7-0 14:54 remaining in the first half
Pass breakup on second and 10 by Richie Grant! The Falcons force the Panthers to punt again with 14:01 remaining in the first and the ball back in Ridder's hands.
Drake London drops a pass, and Kyle Pitts has a big gain on third down called back by a penalty. Third and 10. Mack Hollins dives for nine yards, and it looks like they'll go for it on fourth down, but a timeout allows the refs time to review the catch.
When play resumes, Atlanta opts to punt.
Bryce Young is looking to get the offense going and gets off to a good start with a pass to Terrance Marshall for the first down.
Chuba Hubbard gets the first down on a 12-yard rush.
Hayden Hurst gets involved for 13 yards, and then Young finds him for the four-yard TOUCHDOWN!
TIED GAME 7-7 with 5:09 remaining in the first half
Bijan Robinson gets a 10-yard carry to start the drive, but the drive only lasts four plays as the team punts the ball back to Carolina with under two minutes remaining.
The Panther's offense fails to get anything going, as they're forced to punt after a 26-second drive
With 1:22 remaining in the half, the Falcons offense fails to score, and the game heads to halftime.
HALFTIME TIED GAME: 7-7
The Panthers get the ball to open the second half, and Young attempts to give the Panthers their first lead of the game.
Chunk yardage rushes from Sanders and Hubbard help push the Panthers down the field, with Kicker Eddy Piniero scoring a 43-yard field goal to give Carolina the lead
Panthers Take the Lead 10-7 10:46 remaining in the third quarter
Ridder targeted Kyle Pitts, and it was an incompletion. Pitts and London have zero receptions in this game.
Atlanta punts in a disappointing first drive of the second half.
9:34 remaining in the third quarter, Panthers ball leading 10-7
Falcons score a 49-yard field goal to tie the game 10-10 following an INTERCEPTION! Jessie Bates III, the second of the game, the free agent addition, is coming up BIG in his first game!
10-10 tied game in the Third Quarter
The Panthers get the ball back, attempting to make up for their turnover on their last possession; Hubbard breaks free for a 21-yard rush.
Multiple penalties stalled the drive, with Bates forcing a fumble from Sanders to end the Panther's hopes of redeeming the drive prior!
RIDDER COMPLETES A PASS TO PITTS! Finally, Pitss gets involved in the offense with a 10-yard reception.
Falcons score a touchdown thanks to an Allgeier rush at the goal line to open up the fourth quarter and extend their lead.
Falcons lead 17-10 with 14:12 remaining in the game
Panthers push the ball downfield 16 yards, but penalties paired with a seven-yard SACK on third and 10 by Grady Jarrett and Anderson. Carolina punts it back to the Falcons with 10:57 remaining.
The Falcons and Panthers go back and forth with three-and-out drives
Falcons attempt to score, and KYLE PITTS has a HUGE catch for 35 yards into the Panthers' red zone.
Tyler Allgeier gets a three-yard rushing touchdown to extend the lead.
Falcons up 24-10 4:48 remaining
Carolina punts after eating just over a minute off the clock, then the Falcons take the ball and do the same, failing to get a solid drive going.
A surprising 143-130 rushing-yard difference in favor of the Panthers
Carolina has a few minutes remaining to try to force a comeback, but the team fails to muster another scoring drive, turning the ball over on downs.
FINAL: Falcons Win 24-10 Against the Panthers to take the lead in the NFC South
