Last season, the Carolina Panthers had the worst defense in the NFL, and in Week three of the 2025 season, they shut out the Atlanta Falcons.
The Panthers delivered a dominant performance. Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero’s unit did not let the Falcons into their red zone, let alone get past the 30-yard line. After two uneven games on defense, where they put themselves in a hole in the first half of the games, the Panthers finally put together a complete game.
According to CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr, the Panthers have allowed the lowest points per game in the NFL in the second half of games, with 4.3. The Panthers are allowing fewer points in the second half than the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles, who have averaged giving up 4.7 points in the second half of games this season.
Panthers’ Preparation Paid Off
After having slow starts in their first two games, the Panthers knew they needed to prepare better and differently for their game against the Falcons, and that’s precisely what they did.
The Panthers’ defenders meticulously studied Michael Penix Jr. and his tendencies. They observed he preferred throwing to the flat, and when he did the throws were often late and “reckless.”
Kassidy Hill of Panthers.com, in her September 21 article, wrote about cornerback Chau Smith-Wade and his perspective on Penix.
“(The coaches) knew certain situations where we could potentially get reckless throws out of certain looks,” Smith-Wade explained. “That was something that we saw going into this week, watching film.”
Smith-Wade’s assessment proved to be correct, as besides one 25-yard throw to the flat to Bijan Robinson, seven other throws resulted in just six yards and a pick-six by Smith-Wade.
The Panthers’ nickel corner further explained how his pick-six came together.
“We just knew that he would make some reckless throws,” continued Smith-Wade. “And we knew who he was looking for, so that happened to be one of those situations.”
Canales Credits Players Stepping Up
Panthers head coach Dave Canales was starting to feel the heat after the team’s 0-2 start, with a Panthers team that was supposed to take steps forward this season. Canales, instead of faltering this week, decided to lean on his players and have faith in them to overcome this early-season obstacle.
Darin Gantt of Panthers.com, in his September 21 article, wrote about Canales crediting his players.
“I expect execution, it’ll give us a chance to win, and so when the guys do that, I just feel a sense of peace and support from them,” Canales said. “I’ve got to give all our players all the credit. This is a group where I stopped talking to them before we come out of the tunnels, like this is your team, what do you want to say to each other?”
Canales then praised how his group have been positively challenging each other during the week.
“And they’re doing such a great job of challenging each other the right way, and there was a focus about the group this week,” Canales said. “And this has been a really focused group, but for them to take the challenges, I’m just really proud of this week.”