Carolina Panthers May Have a Challenge Ahead vs. Atlanta Falcons

The 2026 NFL season didn't get off to the start the Carolina Panthers had hoped for in Week 1. After a 59-37 loss to the Chicago Bears, it's time for them to quickly turn the page. 

Week 2 presents a chance for the Panthers to win their first game of the season. It comes against a NFC South opponent in the Atlanta Falcons, a team that struggled in the Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

But the Falcons have their own big problems.

Neither Tua Tagovailoa nor Michael Penix were healthy enough to start at quarterback in Week 1 and they had to turn to third stinger Cooper Rush. Now, it's unknown who will play quarterback for the Falcons on Sunday and that might create a bit of a challenge.

Head coach Dave Canales explained just why that could be a challenge.

"The good part is, no singular quarterback that they have is a standout in terms of being a runner," Canales told reporters. "When you have pocket passers – and these are all quarterbacks I think are good quarterbacks – these are all guys that can operate, as a former quarterbacks coach, I value what they can do. But, there isn't a dynamic of the zone-read type of element, a guy that creates that extra special element. So, we can really treat the system and the offense to the integrity of what Coach Stefanksi is trying to get done."

Stefanski told reporters that he wasn't being coy with his quarterback news this week. He really doesn't know who will start and left all options open. Like Canales said, they will have to scout the system.

This is a big opportunity for the Panthers' defense to redeem themselves a bit. Atlanta's offense isn't as good as Chicago's and that's especially true if they have to start Rush again at quarterback.

But this is also a game they can't overlook, either. On the road and against a divisional opponent, a win will be tough to get.

Carolina and Atlanta will kickoff at 1 pm ET on Sunday as both teams seek their first wins of the year.