STADIUM: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
REFEREE: Brad Rogers
DATE: Sunday, September 10, 2023
GAME TIME: 1:00 PM ET
FOX: Chris Myers, Robert Smith, Jen Hale
SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) CAR: 133 or 383 ATL: 111 or 225
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: ATL leads series, 35-21 (won 2 of past 3)
POSTSEASON: —
THE LAST TIME …
REG. SEASON: 11/10/22: ATL 15 at CAR 25
POSTSEASON: —
HEAD COACHES:
Frank Reich vs. Opponent (incl. postseason): 1-0 Reg. Season: 40-33-1 (.547) Postseason: 1-2 (.333)
Arthur Smith vs. Opponent (incl. postseason): 2-2 Reg. Season: 14-20 (.412) Postseason: 0-0
CAROLINA PANTHERS NOTES:
- QB BRYCE YOUNG was selected No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Can become 3rd Car. rookie QB to start in Week 1 (Cam Newton – 2011; Chris Weinke – 2001). Can become 5th Rookie QB selected No. 1 overall since 1967 to win 1st-career start.
- RB MILES SANDERS had career highs in rush yards (1,269) & rush TDs (11) with Phi. in 2022. Had 113 scrimmage yards (74 rush, 39 rec.) in his last game vs. Atl. (9/12/21 w/ Phi.).
- WR ADAM THIELEN had 534 receptions for 6,682 yards & 55 rec. TDs in 9 seasons with Min., 4th-most rec. TDs by undrafted player since 1967. Had 70 catches for 716 yards & 6 rec. TDs in 2022 & became 3rd undrafted player since 1967 (Antonio Gates & Rod Smith) with 5+ rec. TDs in 6 different seasons. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Atl. with rec. TD.
- TE HAYDEN HURST had 52 catches for 414 yards & 2 rec. TDs in 2022 with Cin. Had 82 catches for 792 yards & 9 rec. TDs in 29 games with Atl. (2020-21).
- LB BRIAN BURNS led team & set career highs with 12.5 sacks & 17 TFL in 2022. Is 1 of 5 with 7.5 sacks in each of past 4 seasons.
- LB FRANKIE LUVU had career highs in tackles (111), TFL (19), sacks (7) & PD (4) in 2022, tied-2nd most TFL in NFL last season. Has 3.5 sacks & 5 TFL in 3 career games vs. Atl.
- LB JUSTIN HOUSTON ranks 4th among active players with 111.5 sacks. Had 9.5 sacks with Bal. in 2022.
- LB SHAQ THOMPSON led team with career-high 135 tackles in 2022, his 4th-straight 100+ tackle season.
ATLANTA FALCONS NOTES:
- ATLANTA ranked 3rd with 2,718 rush yards in 2022, 2nd-most rush yards in single season in team history (2,939 in 2006).
- QB DESMOND RIDDER passed for 708 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 86.4 rating in 4 starts in 2022 & became 4th rookie QB ever with 0 INTs in each of his 1st 4 career starts. Has 90+ rating in each of 1st 2 career home starts.
- RB BIJAN ROBINSON was selected No. 8 overall in 2023 NFL Draft, 2nd-highest drafted RB in team history.
- RB TYLER ALLGEIER had franchise rookie record 1,035 rush yards in 2022. Had 50+ scrimmage yards in all home games last season. Had only career TD catch in last home meeting.
- RB CORDARRELLE PATTERSON had career highs in rush yards (695) & rush TDs (8) in 2022. Has NFL-record 9 KR-TDs.
- WR DRAKE LONDON had franchise rookie record 72 receptions for 866 yards & 4 rec. TDs in 2022. Had TD catch in last meeting (11/10/22).
- TE KYLE PITTS had 28 catches for 356 yards & 2 rec. TDs last season. Had 5 receptions for 80 yards & TD in last home meeting.
- DL CALAIS CAMPBELL makes Atl. debut. Leads active players with 165 career TFL & ranks 6th with 99 career sacks.
- DL GRADY JARRETT led team with 6 sacks & 12 TFL in 2022, his 3rd-career season with 10+ TFL. Has 4 TFL in his past 4 at home vs. Car.
- CB A.J. TERRELL led team with 9 PD last season.
- S JESSIE BATES makes Atl. debut. Had career high 4 INTs with Cin. in 2022 & has 3+ INTs in 4 of his 5 career seasons. Ranks 2nd among DBs with 477 tackles since 2018.
- S RICHIE GRANT led NFC & ranked 3rd among DBs with career-high 122 tackles in 2022.
- DT DERRICK BROWN ranked 2nd among NFC DL with career-high 67 tackles in 2022. Aims for his 4th in row vs. Atl. with TFL.
- S VONN BELL had career-high 4 INTs with Cin. in 2022. Is 1 of 2 DBs (Harrison Smith) with 75+ tackles in each of past 7 seasons.
