Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons Prediction, 9/20/2026 NFL Picks, Best Bets & Odds Week 2

Game: Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons

Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026

Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA

TV: FOX

Odds-Point Spread: Falcons +1.5

Total-Over-Under: 43.5

The Atlanta Falcons (0-1) will try to defeat the Carolina Panthers (0-1) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday. Atlanta opens this contest as 1.5-point dogs from Vegas oddsmakers. The total comes in at 43.5.

The Carolina Panthers head into this game 0-1 for the season. The last time they stepped on the gridiron, the Panthers played against the Chicago Bears and took a loss by a final of 59-37. Chuba Hubbard was the rushing leader for the Panthers with 10 carries for 49 yards (4.9 yds per carry). Jalen Coker held an average of 17.3 yards per reception by accounting for 138 yds on 8 receptions. Bryce Young connected on 23-37 with 361 yards passing and 3 TDs. He had a quarterback rate of 110.3 and ended the game with 1 pick. On the ground, the Panthers gave up 291 yards on 39 attempts, which is an average of 7.5 yds per run allowed. Carolina relinquished 21 pass completions on 29 attempts for a total of 261 yds, and a completion rate of 72.4%. In the game, they ran 60 plays which gave them a total of 478 yards. The Carolina Panthers ran the rock 22 times and compiled 125 yds, which is an average of 5.7 yards per carry.

The Panthers have earned 478 yards for this campaign. Carolina has recorded 17 first downs as a team, and they have been called for 11 infractions for 84 yards. Concerning putting points on the board, Carolina has collected 3 passing TD's and 2 running touchdowns. They have given the ball to the opposition 3 times (1 interception and 2 fumbles lost). As a unit, they average 125.0 rushing yards ranking this team at 12th in the NFL. In terms of putting the ball in the endzone, the NFC South representatives are sitting at 37.0 points per outing.

When talking about pass yards, the Panthers have conceded 261 yards, putting them 26th in pro football. They have yielded 261.0 yds per contest through the air, and are surrendering a completion% of 72.4%. Altogether, they have allowed 291 running yards through 1 game so far this year. They have granted 2 touchdowns through the air, along with 6 touchdowns by way of the ground game. Overall, they are allowing 552.0 yards per outing, putting them 32nd in pro football. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 7.5 yards per rushing attempt and 291.0 rush yards per outing over the course of the season. The Panthers are ranked 32nd in the league when it comes to team defense, allowing 59.0 points per outing.

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The Falcons head into this matchup 0-1 for this campaign. In their last game, the Falcons walked away with a loss by a score of 20-13 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bijan Robinson carried the rock 21 times for 83 yds, ending the game with 4.0 yds per carry for Atlanta. Bijan Robinson was a featured target for the Falcons, hauling in 8 balls for 90 yards (11.3 yards per catch). Cooper Rush (1 TD) walked away from the contest with 143 yds on 12-22 through the air while his QB rate was 51.9. He threw 2 interceptions and his avg yards per attempt was 6.5 yards. Atlanta conceded 21 run attempts for 58 yards (2.8 yds per carry). The Falcons secondary gave up a completion rate of 58.5%, surrendering 206 yds on 24 out of 41 through the air. The Falcons finished the contest with a total of 238 yds and they ran 53 plays (4.5 yds per play). Atlanta ran the ball for 3.9 yards per attempt, finishing the game with 120 yds on 31 carries.

If you're looking at the points being put on the board, the Falcons rank 26th in professional football, averaging 13.0 points per contest. Over the course of this season, the Falcons have earned 118 passing yds. They have an average of 120.0 running yards per game. The Atlanta Falcons maintain an average of 238.0 yards per outing, putting them 30th in pro football. The Atlanta offense has granted 96 total yards on 9 penalty flags, which ranks them at 10th in the league when it comes to making mistakes. They have compiled 2 INTs, and have been able to obtain 4 first downs offensively.

The Falcons are yielding 20.0 points per outing, ranking them 10th in pro football. They have surrendered 1 touchdown via the pass plus 206.0 pass yards per game, which ranks them 20th in the NFL. Atlanta has granted a total of 58 rush yds. The Falcons defense has participated in 64 plays from the line of scrimmage, ranking them 19th in pro football. The defense has a total of 1 turnover this season. Altogether, they have yielded 20 pts.

Who will win tonight's Panthers-Falcons NFL game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Falcons +1.5

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