Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons
Final Score: Panthers 30, Falcons 27 (OT)
Writer: Pranav Babarjung
This NFC South showdown started off seemingly one-sided, with Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier putting up three touchdowns for Atlanta in the first half. Bryce Young and the Panthers came back swinging after the half. An injury to Michael Penix Jr. in the third quarter cemented a Carolina win as Kirk Cousins came in. Atlanta did manage to force overtime, but simply could not get enough going on offense. A huge pass to Tommy Tremble to set up a Ryan Fitzgerald field goal to give the Panthers the win.
Three Up
- Bryce Young — Young lit up this Atlanta secondary for 448 yards and three touchdowns.
- Tetairoa McMillan — The rookie got season highs in targets, receptions, and yards.
- Bijan Robinson — Robinson got it done on the ground with over 100 yards and two touchdowns.
Two Down
- Kyle Pitts — Pitts had a disappointing finish with only two receptions.
- Michael Penix Jr. — Penix honestly had a decent performance while he was in, but he remains fantasy-irrelevant.
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Bryce Young: 31/45, 448 Yards, 3 TD, 2-Point Conversion | 1 Carry, -1 Yard
Bryce Young brought this offense back to life in the second half. Despite being pressured on what seemed like every other play (and taking five sacks), he kept getting back up and kept slinging. The offensive line was getting shredded, stifling the ground game, so it was up to Young to keep the Panthers in the game. Late in the fourth, he led them down the field, ending with a TD pass to Tetairoa McMillan and a 2-point conversion to Jalen Coker to put them up three. The game was sealed on Young’s terms too — with a 54-yard throw to set up the walk-off field goal. Just a great game, all things considered.
Running Back
Rico Dowdle: 19 Carries, 45 Yards | 7 Targets, 5 Receptions, 55 Yards
Rico Dowdle was inefficient, but that was to be expected when the line in front of him disintegrated at the slightest touch. He made up for it through the air, including a crucial 28-yard catch and run on the fourth quarter touchdown drive. He was centimeters away from turning that pass into a touchdown, but just barely stepped out of bounds. He didn’t do anything spectacular or score, but 100 scrimmage yards is nothing to complain about.
Chuba Hubbard: 4 Carries, 21 Yards | 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 7 Yards
Chuba Hubbard has been relegated to the change-of-pace back. Surprisingly, he got most of his production during the 2-minute drill at the end of the first half. On his limited carries, he was more efficient on the ground than Dowdle. Unless his workload increases, he remains nothing more than a handcuff.
Trevor Etienne: 1 Carry 2 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Tetairoa McMillan: 12 Targets, 8 Receptions, 130 Yards, 2 TDs
Tetairoa McMillan was good for a solid chunk of yardage or a score on each reception he got. He was justifiably Young’s favorite target this game and had a blowup performance to show for it. McMillan displayed great awareness, changing direction to match a scrambling Young to make the wide-open touchdown reception for the lead.
Xavier Legette: 8 Targets, 4 Receptions, 83 Yards, TD
In a game where Young threw for almost 450 yards, it should be expected that Xavier Legette got his. Most of his production came in the form of a 36-yard touchdown in man coverage. He got a hip injury in the fourth quarter that kept him out of overtime.
Tommy Tremble: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 54 Yards
Tommy Tremble‘s only reception was at least an important one. It set up the game-winning field goal and made him the third-leading pass catcher for the Panthers.
Jalen Coker: 4 Targets, 4 Receptions, 52 Yards, 2-Point Conversion
Jalen Coker was mainly targeted in the third quarter and beyond. He was wide open in the back of the end zone to catch the 2-point conversion. He could be an interesting play if Legette misses time.
Mitchell Evans: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 28 Yards
Ja’Tavion Sanders: 4 Targets, 4 Receptions, 22 Yards
Brycen Tremayne: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 17 Yards
Atlanta Falcons
Quarterback
Michael Penix Jr. : 13/16, 175 Yards | 1 Carry, 9 Yards
Michael Penix Jr. had a decent performance as a real quarterback, as opposed to his fantasy performance. He unfortunately went down with a knee injury in the third quarter and did not return to the game. Whenever the Falcons get to the red zone, they are far more inclined to run the ball, limiting Penix’s touchdown potential.
Kirk Cousins: 6/14, 48 Yards | 1 Carry, 2 Yards
As bad as Penix is for fantasy, Kirk Cousins may be worse. He seemed to be more willing to spread the ball out rather than focusing on Drake London, but the offense as a whole took a hit when Cousins came in. His struggles in overtime were in part due to London’s departure, but one skill player leaving the game shouldn’t be enough to shut down a quarterback. If Penix misses time, all Falcons skill players will have lower ceilings.
Running Back
Bijan Robinson: 23 Carries, 104 Yards, 2 TDs | 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 39 Yards
Bijan’s back, ALRIGHT! In a distinct turn around from last week, Bijan Robinson thundered down the field for two touchdowns in just the first half. His production dipped a little (with the rest of the offense) in the second half. He got red-zone and goal-line touches and had a huge day to show for it.
Tyler Allgeier: 3 Carries, 10 Yards, TD | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 6 Yards
Tyler Allgeier went back to being a short-yardage back in this game. He only got one goal-line carry which he did manage to convert.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Drake London: 9 Targets, 7 Receptions, 119 Yards
Drake London is just such a presence on the field. The Falcons’ second scoring drive was due entirely to his 30-yard and 41-yard receptions setting up Robinson at the goal line. Fantasy owners hope that his knee injury (that kept him out of overtime) is not serious.
Darnell Mooney: 7 Targets, 3 Receptions, 34 Yards
Despite being the Falcons’ second-leading receiver, Darnell Mooney did not do much with his seven targets. He left the game for a little bit with a rib injury, which should be monitored.
Kyle Pitts: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 14 Yards
Kyle Pitts is just an afterthought. There is just not enough passing volume to go around, and Pitts was left with the short end of the stick.
David Sills: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 11 Yards
Khadarel Hodge: 1 Target, 0 Receptions