Turnovers Prove Costly in Panthers' Season-Opening Loss to Falcons

ATLANTA, GA - Jessie Bates III was the difference in this one as he forced three turnovers in the Atlanta Falcons' 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday afternoon.

Brian Burns came out ready to make a statement to the Panthers' front office, registering a sack on each of the first two drives of the game to go along with a huge tackle for loss, blowing up a rush attempt by Tyler Allgeier.

The Panthers moved the ball on their opening possession of the game, working the ball deep inside the red zone. However, after falling just shy of the yard markers on third down, head coach Frank Reich called for another run play on 4th & short in an effort to set the tone early. Atlanta sniffed it out and stuffed Chuba Hubbard in the backfield, forcing a turnover on downs.

Carolin's next time out with the ball was a disaster. Adam Thielen was flagged for offensive pass interference which was followed up by a delay of game, backing the Panthers up inside their own five. Two plays later, Young was picked off by Bates, who returned it to the 17. Atlanta took advantage of the short field, cashing in on an 11-yard touchdown pass to rookie running back Bijan Robinson for the game's first points.

Young would answer with a long, 12-play, 75-yard drive that ate up most of the second quarter (7:18). He completed all six of his passes on the drive, including a four-yard flare to tight end Hayden Hurst for his first career touchdown pass. Hurst got a little too excited and accidentally threw Young's first TD ball into the stands.

Bryce Young made his first NFL touchdown pass.

Hayden Hurst threw it into the stands 🥲

Someone go get that ball!!!

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/vjG0ALz5pd
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 10, 2023

Young made plays with both his arm and his legs on the opening drive of the second half, driving the Panthers into field goal range for Eddy Pineiro. A year ago, Mercedes-Benz Stadium was a house of horrors for the Panthers kicker. He got back on track (in this building) by nailing a 43-yard kick to give Carolina a 10-7 lead.

That momentum would come to a sudden end as Young was picked off by Bates for the second time on almost the exact same play. This time, Atlanta couldn't reach the end zone and instead, settled for a 49-yard field goal by Younghoe Koo to draw things even at ten.

Turnovers continued to ail the Panthers as Miles Sanders lost a fumble on a drive where things were clicking on the ground. Once again, it was Bates who was responsible for forcing the turnover, punching the ball out just before Sanders went down.

Unlike the two previous turnovers, the Falcons actually had to drive the field and go 61 yards to reach the end zone. Running backs Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson proved to be a problem gaining 39 yards on the ground with Allgeier bouncing one outside and reaching for the pylon for a four-yard score.

Midway through the fourth quarter, the Panthers put themselves in a tough spot after getting a stop. Troy Hill was flagged for unnecessary roughness on the punt return and Ihmir Smith-Marsette tried to get to the open side of the field but was tracked down by Parker Hesse at the one on a horsecollar tackle. By rule, the ball was spotted at the one and Carolina went three and out after Young missed on a home run ball to Jonathan Mingo.

Moments later, Desmond Ridder connected on a 35-yard pass to Kyle Pitts, who was also being interfered with by CJ Henderson. Tyler Allgeier capped off the drive with his second rushing score of the day.

The Panthers will now return home for a Monday night matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Kickoff is set for 7:15 p.m. EST and will be televised on ESPN.

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