Atlanta’s hopes for any kind of fast start just got absolutely obliterated on Sunday when quarterback Cooper Rush fumbled the ball on the team’s very first offensive play. Yeah, you read that right. First. Play. The Panthers wasted no time making them pay, quickly marching down the field to go up 7-0.
Opening Drive Nightmare
Rush scrambled on the Falcons’ first offensive snap of the game, a move that immediately went sideways. Panthers linebacker Devin Lloyd was right there, tackling him and forcing the ball out. Before Atlanta even knew what was happening, Panthers safety Nick Scott swooped in, recovering the fumble and putting Carolina’s offense on the Atlanta 35-yard line. Talk about a brutal start for the Falcons.
Panthers Capitalize and an Injury Scare
The Panthers didn’t look a gift horse in the mouth. They grabbed a key third-down conversion on a pass to Tetairoa McMillan, keeping the drive alive. Then, quarterback Bryce Young zipped a pass to running back Chuba Hubbard in the end zone, capping off the short field with a touchdown. The score put Carolina up 7-0 with still 10:48 left to play in the first quarter. Adding insult to injury for Atlanta, Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell needed medical help to get off the field during that scoring drive. That’s definitely something to keep an eye on as this game unfolds.
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Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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