Furious Falcons fans loudly turn on their team after just two weeks of season as nightmare start gets worse

4 hours ago 9

By MAX WINTERS, US DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR

Published: 00:32 BST, 21 September 2026 | Updated: 00:32 BST, 21 September 2026

Livid Atlanta Falcons fans turned on their team during their humiliating Week 2 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

The Falcons slipped to 0-2 for the season under new head coach Kevin Stefanski with a woeful performance against their bitter NFC South rivals.

Bryce Young threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns, including two to Darren Waller, while Carolina's Devin Lloyd returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown as the Panthers routed the short-handed Falcons 34-3.

With third-string quarterback Cooper Rush as the starter, the Falcons had more offensive woes following their 20-13 opening loss at Pittsburgh last week. Michael Penix Jr and Tua Tagovailoa were both inactive again.

Rush completed 10 of 17 passes for 86 yards with two interceptions and also lost a fumble.

Rush's struggles from his very first snap were so dramatic that some Falcons fans were booing six minutes into the game. He lost a fumble on a nine-yard run to open the game.

Livid Falcons fans turned on their team during their humiliating Week 2 loss to the Panthers

The Falcons slipped to 0-2 for the season under new head coach Kevin Stefanski

With third-string quarterback Cooper Rush as the starter, the Falcons had more offensive woes

Drake London (pictured) and Bijan Robinson were unable to inflict any damage on Carolina

Atlanta's second possession ended when Rush's pass intended for Bijan Robinson was intercepted by linebacker Bobby Okereke.

Rush was replaced by undrafted rookie Jack Strand late in the third quarter, prompting a somewhat ironic ovation from Falcons fans.

Strand's first possession ended badly as his pass for Jahan Dotson was intercepted by Lloyd and returned 16 yards for a touchdown. Strand lost a fumbled snap on his final possession.

The Panthers, meanwhile, earned their fourth straight win in the NFC South rivalry.

Young completed 23 of 36 passes as he improved to 5-1 against the Falcons. He set a franchise record with 448 yards passing in a 30-27 overtime win to cap last season's sweep.

One week after a 59-37 loss to Chicago left Carolina's defense with franchise records for points and rushing touchdowns allowed, the Panthers gave up only 286 yards, including 72 rushing yards by Robinson. The Falcons' only points came on Nick Folk's 41-yard field goal.

Read Entire Article
Pemilu | Tempo | |