Panthers lead Falcons 20-3 at halftime

The Panthers defense gave up 59 points last Sunday, but things have gone better on the defensive side of the ball through 30 minutes this weekend.

Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush lost a fumble and threw an interception on the first two offensive possessions, and the Panthers also thwarted a fourth down conversion try later in the half. All of that good work allowed them to get into halftime with a 20-3 lead on the road.

Rush's fumble led to the only Panthers touchdown of the first half. Bryce Young moved the team inside the 10-yard-line with a third down strike to wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan and then hit running back Chuba Hubbard for a three-yard score.

A long punt return by Jalen Coker set the Panthers up in Falcons territory later in the first quarter, but the team settle for the first of three Ryan Fitzgerald field goals after their drive stalled out.

The Falcons finally got on the board with 1:07 left in the half, but Young found wide receiver Xavier Legette for a 55-yard gain to put the Panthers in scoring position. He then found tight end Darren Waller in the end zone with 20 seconds to play to extend the lead to 17 points at the break.

Young is 15-of-25 for 204 yards while Rush finished the half 9-of-14 for 80 yards. The Panthers will get the ball to open the third quarter of play in Atlanta . i1