The Falcoholic
The Falcons rekindle their rivalry with their little brother team that’s sort of been punching them in the face in recent times when they welcome the Carolina Panthers into their confines.
I use the term “little brother” because Atlanta has statistically owned this rivalry since Carolina’s inception in 1995, with a 37-24 all time lead in a series where both teams have met twice a year.
Despite the historic success, the Birds have not swept the Panthers since 2019, as both teams have split the series every single year from 2020 and on. Carolina has enjoyed some very recent success, winning three of the past four meetings and the last two in a row, putting up a combined 74 points over the course of those games.
The team out of Charlotte now has their own chance of completing a sweep in the season series, which would be the first such instance since 2013. This would also be just the fourth such instance of the Panthers sweeping the Falcons ever, with the others coming in 1997 and 2005, respectively.
The Falcons were feeling themselves after a dominant win on Sunday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings, and poor coaching seemed to result in them completely overlooking a Panthers team that came out of the gate struggling at 0-2.
The game seemed to start well enough for Atlanta, who got to the opposing 31-yard line before new kicker John Parker Romo — the hero in Minnesota — completely shanked a field goal attempt. After Carolina drove downfield and scored a touchdown on their first possession, Parker Romo missed another field goal on the Falcons’ second drive.
While the offense remained stuck in neutral, the defense held up and the score was just 10-0 going into the half, before a punt was forced on the Panthers’ first possession after the break. Michael Penix then threw a horrendous interception which was returned for a touchdown and never managed to settle himself, looking incredibly gun shy and inaccurate all afternoon.
Carolina happily let Atlanta self destruct in front of them, tacking on second half field goals as well as a Rico Dowdle touchdown, as Penix threw another late interception before getting benched for Kirk Cousins. the Falcons left Charlotte in disgrace, losing 30-0.
