What happened: Carolina heads into Week 2 after an opening loss to Chicago in which Bryce Young pushed the ball downfield and the passing game showed life. The bigger problem was defense: the Panthers were hit for 59 points, got pounded on the ground and now face an Atlanta offense expected to start Cooper Rush with Bijan Robinson looming as the main test.

Why it matters: With every NFC South team losing in Week 1, Sunday offers an early chance to reset the division picture before anyone digs out of an 0-2 hole. Carolina can build on Bryce Young's chemistry with Jalen Coker and Tetairoa Mcmillan, while Atlanta's plan around Cooper Rush could force a different defensive script than the one that unraveled against Chicago.

What to watch: Watch Carolina's first few defensive series for cleaner edge discipline and fewer drive-extending penalties. On offense, the next check is whether Young can keep attacking vertically without repeating the late-half turnover that showed up against Chicago.