For the first time since 2021, the Carolina Panthers won't be starting out at 0-2.
The streak was busted on Sunday, in a dominant 34-3 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Carolina got contributions across the board in the victory—as their offense kept cooking and their defense bounced back from a woeful season opener.
Here are our top takeaways from their big Week 2 outing . . .
His town, his offense
To open up what could be a consequential campaign, Panthers quarterback Bryce Young passed for the second-most yards of his four-year career and three touchdowns. So, what did he do for an encore?
Well, he did what he usually does in Atlanta.
Young returned to the scene of his crime in 2025, where he threw for a career-high and franchise-record 448 yards, and posted yet another
sizzling stat line. He connected on 23 of his 36 attempts for 287 yards and three scores.
Through two games here in 2026, Young has completed 46 of his 73 passes (63.0 percent) for 648 yards six touchdowns and just one interception. He also ran in a score back in Week 1.
Following the triumph, head coach Dave Canales praised Young for his growing ownership in the offense. That development has Young off to his best start yet and the Panthers averaging a cool 35.5 points per game through Week 2.
Shades of a Hall of Famer
Inside linebacker Devin Lloyd may have reminded Panthers fans of Pro Football Hall of Famer Luke Kuechly. He was all over the field as he totaled a game-high nine tackles, a sack and two interceptions—one of which he brought back for a 16-yard score.
Canales talked about Lloyd's insane outing.
"I don't know if I've seen a better performance out of a linebacker in 17 years of coaching in the NFL," Canales stated. "It's attributed to his study, being in the right spots.
"And then of course, I didn't realize his hands were that good. The slant that he picked off there at the end was incredible and the run after catch on the first one. One of the most dominant linebacker performances I've seen."
After last week's debacle, Carolina needed to make a statement on defense—especially with the Falcons starting third-stringer Cooper Rush under center. And with Lloyd pacing the attack, they delivered—notching five takeaways, a turnover on downs and a pair of sacks.
Back on track
A loss would've sent the Panthers to an 0-2 mark, a death knell for most teams' playoff chances. And although Carolina did dig themselves out of that hole en route to an NFC South title last season, that's not where you want to be for a sixth straight year.
Now, at 1-1, the Panthers are back on track. They'll face a weaker opponent in the Cleveland Browns next week and have a fair chance at knocking down the Detroit Lions and their battered defense at home in Week 4.
If the offense keeps firing on all cylinders and the defense is closer to their Week 2 form, then Carolina entering their early bye at 3-1 certainly isn't out of the question.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Biggest takeaways from the Panthers' dominant Week 2 win over Falcons
