(Photo credit: Cory Knowlton-Imagn Images)

Carolina cornerback Chau Smith-Wade returned an interception for a touchdown and the Panthers made several big defensive plays to defeat the visiting Atlanta Falcons 30-0 on Sunday afternoon in Charlotte.

Bryce Young ran for a touchdown and threw for 121 yards in Carolina's home opener. Rico Dowdle also rushed for a touchdown and Ryan Fitzgerald kicked three field goals, including a 57-yarder in the first half.

Falcons starter Michael Penix Jr. was intercepted twice, finishing 18-for-36 for 172 yards before he was pulled after three quarters. Running back Bijan Robinson gained 72 yards on 13 carries.

Trailing 27-0, the Falcons (1-2) made a quarterback change by inserting Kirk Cousins in place of Penix. Cousins went 5-for-7 for 29 yards.

It marked Carolina's first shutout since 2020 vs. the Detroit Lions. Before that, they blanked the Falcons 38-0 in 2015.

Atlanta stalled so often on offense that even recovering a muffed punt in Carolina territory in the first half didn't help.

Chuba Hubbard rushed for 73 yards for the Panthers (1-2) in the NFC South matchup.

Young scrambled in from 4 yards out to open the scoring, giving the Panthers a lead for the first time this season.

The Falcons, who were denied on their first drive when Parker Romo missed on a 49-yard field goal attempt, outgained Carolina 166-141 in the first half and 332-224 for the game.

Romo, who was in his second game with the Falcons after a change following the team's opener, later missed from 55 yards. He was 5-for-5 last week at Minnesota.

Smith-Wade's second career interception resulted in immediate points on his 11-yard return. Fitzgerald's 35-yard field goal stretched the lead to 20-0 in the third quarter.

Following Mike Jackson's interception and 54-yard return, the Panthers needed to cover only 30 yards to reach the end zone. Dowdle scored from 1 yard out.

Fitzgerald kicked a 41-yard field goal with 3:41 left.

Offense was so scarce at times that the game's leading receiver was Atlanta's Drake London with 55 yards on five receptions.

--Field Level Media