Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 21, 2025, 1 p.m. ET
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Network: FOX
Game at a Glance
Carolina has started the season 0-2 for the fourth straight season and faces a Falcons team fresh off a dominant “Sunday Night Football” victory over the Vikings.
Atlanta Falcons
Quarterback
Michael Penix Jr.: SIT, QB2 (Startable in Superflex)
After an encouraging start to the season, Michael Penix Jr. disappointed in Week 2, throwing the ball just 21 times and passing for a meager 135 passing yards. It’s easy to forget he’s made just five career starts, so some inconsistency is expected. But facing one of the worst defenses in the league in Carolina could be just what he needs to get back on track. You’re not starting him in 1QB leagues, but he’s a near lock in Superflex.
Running Back
Bijan Robinson: START, RB1
Tyler Allgeier: : SIT
You don’t need me to tell you to start Bijan Robinson. But did you know his favorite player growing up was Reggie Bush, and wore No. 5 at Texas to honor him?
Wide Receiver
Drake London: START, WR1
Darnell Mooney: FLEX, WR5
Ray-Ray McCloud III: SIT
Despite the poor performance against Minnesota, Drake London remains a must-start fantasy wide receiver. He dropped a 40 burger on the Panthers in Week 18 of last season, catching two touchdowns and nearly 200 receiving yards. Darnell Mooney saw just four targets in Week 2, but should continue to improve as he works his way back from a preseason shoulder injury. If Mooney is active, he’s a flex play.
Tight End
Kyle Pitts Sr: START, TE1
With the Falcons not having to pass much in Week 2, Kyle Pitts‘ final stat line was pretty meh. But he has a 20% target share so far this season and has looked explosive when given the opportunity. He’s a risky play, but considering the position, Pitts is locked in as a starting fantasy tight end as long as he has a healthy target share. Pitts has a great matchup against the Panthers, who allow the third most fantasy points to tight ends.
Defense/Special Teams
Atlanta Falcon: STREAMER
Carolina is tied with Denver and Minnesota for the league lead in giveaways with five, Atlanta contributing to three of those for the Vikings last week.
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Bryce Young: SIT, QB2 (Startable in Superflex)
Bryce Young had been a dumpster fire for the first six quarters of the season, but something clicked in the second half of the Panthers’ Week 2 loss to Arizona. Young’s comeback attempt came up short (no pun intended), but he threw three touchdowns and ended with 328 passing yards. His floor is nonexistent, but when things are clicking for Young, he can light up the scoreboard with the best of them.
Running Back
Chuba Hubbard: START, RB2
Rico Dowdle: SIT
Trevor Etienne: SIT
Chuba Hubbard is the East Coast Kyren Williams. He’s inefficient, but his volume keeps him an every-week starter. The Falcons haven’t given up much in terms of fantasy points to opposing running backs, but Hubbard’s involvement in the passing game makes him an RB2.
Wide Receiver
Tetairoa McMillan: START, WR2
Xavier Legette: SIT
Hunter Renfrow: SIT
Although he’s yet to score an NFL touchdown, Tetairoa McMillan has looked every bit an alpha. The WR1 for Carolina is averaging nearly 10 targets over his first two games and maintains WR2 status based on volume alone. Coming off a seven-catch, two-touchdown game, it’s tempting to put Hunter Renfrow in your lineup. But it’s just a little too much risk for me to be comfortable recommending him, even as a flex. But he should be rostered in all leagues.
Tight End
Ja’Tavion Sanders: SIT
Nine targets in Week 2 is promising, but we’ll need to see involvement over multiple weeks before Ja’Tavion Sanders can be considered for fantasy.
Defense/Special Teams
Carolina Panthers: SIT
The Panthers have one of the worst defensive units in the NFL.