ATLANTA – The Falcons and their top-ranked offense made their intentions against the Panthers clear from the start.
Quarterback Matt Ryan was going to target wide receiver Julio Jones early and often.
"They threw the ball to their guy and got things rolling," cornerback Bene Benwikere said.
And once they got rolling, they never stopped. When all was said and done, Ryan passed for 503 yards and Jones finished with 300 yards receiving – both single-game records against the Panthers.
"It unraveled for us," Benwikere said. "Everything we planned, everything we wanted to do just didn't work for us."
Atlanta's first three plays featured Jones, and Ryan connected with him for gains of 22, 14 and 15 yards to set up the game's first touchdown.
Rookie cornerback James Bradberry, who was expecting to spend most of the afternoon covering Jones, injured his big toe early on and didn't return until the fourth quarter.
"I couldn't go full speed on it like I wanted to," Bradberry said. "It hurt not being out there to make a play and help my team."
Bradberry was forced to watch as Ryan and Jones combined for their record-setting performance.
At halftime, Jones accounted for 170 of Ryan's 222 passing yards as the Falcons built a 17-10 lead.
The aerial assault continued with long touchdown strikes in the second half.
And when Carolina cut the deficit to eight late in the game, it was Jones who provided the immediate answer.
On the first play of the series, Ryan connected with Jones over the middle, and the star receiver did the rest, racing past the Carolina secondary for a 75-yard touchdown.
Head coach Ron Rivera said the plan for defending Jones was simple: "Cover him."
"We tried to cover him. It didn't work," Rivera said. "They did some good things and made some big plays."
The secondary struggled to stick with Jones downfield, but Rivera expressed the need for more pressure up front. Far too often, Ryan had ample time to locate a target for big gains, whether it was first-and-10 or third-and-long.
"We have to get more pressure," defensive end Charles Johnson said. "We'll take ownership of that."
For a defense that holds itself to the highest of standards, the overall performance was stunning. But the standard hasn't changed after one difficult Sunday.
"They're a good offense for a reason," linebacker Luke Kuechly said. "Our guys are going to rebound from this. We've got a real resilient bunch. We take a lot of pride in what we do and this whole defense is going to come out better next week."
View game action photos from Carolina's 48-33 loss to Atlanta.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs out of the pocket against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (56) tackles Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) passes the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Deion Jones (45) makes contact with Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11)runs against Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) runs up field against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Jacob Tamme (83) scores a touchdown against Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis (58) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) is hit by Atlanta Falcons strong safety Kemal Ishmael (36) and Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant (21) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons fullback Patrick DiMarco (42) runs against Carolina Panthers cornerback Daryl Worley (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) passes the ball against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) makes a catch against Carolina Panthers cornerback Daryl Worley (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera watches play against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) runs toward the end zone for a touchdown against Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Shaq Green-Thompson (54) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) celebrates his touchdown with Atlanta Falcons guard Andy Levitre (67) against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) past Atlanta Falcons defensive back Brian Poole (34) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs out of the pocket against Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Vic Beasley (44) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn fist bumps a coach after the Carolina Panthers were stopped during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers strong safety Kurt Coleman (20) runs into the end zone for a touchdown after an interception against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) works in the backfield as Carolina Panthers defensive end Mario Addison (97) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) makes a catch against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ted Ginn (19) leaps near Atlanta Falcons long snapper Josh Harris (47) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers running back Fozzy Whittaker (43) runs by Atlanta Falcons defensive back Brian Poole (34) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Corey Brown (10) works for a catch against Atlanta Falcons defensive back Brian Poole (34) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) makes the catch against Carolina Panthers cornerback Bene' Benwikere (25) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) moves into the end zone for a touchdown against Carolina Panthers cornerback Bene' Benwikere (25) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) celebrates his touchdown with Atlanta Falcons tight end Levine Toilolo (80) against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) runs past Carolina Panthers cornerback Daryl Worley (26) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Eric Weems (14) tackles Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ted Ginn (19) on a kickoff return during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) runs into Atlanta Falcons free safety Ricardo Allen (37) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) celebrates his touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs against Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Deion Jones (45) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is hit by Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Deion Jones (45) during a two-point conversion during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) lies on the turf after a hit during a two-point conversion against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Derek Anderson (3) reacts to play against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) makes a touchdown catch against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) runs toward the end zone for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Corey Brown (10) runs as Atlanta Falcons defensive back Brian Poole (34) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. Brown scored a touchdown on the play. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Corey Brown (10) runs into the end zone for a touchdown as Atlanta Falcons defensive back Brian Poole (34) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert Alford (23) celebrates an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons won 48-33. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Derek Anderson (3) walks off the field after throwing an interception to Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert Alford (23) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. Alford scored a touchdown on the play. The Atlanta Falcons won 48-33. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
