CHARLOTTE – The Panthers get the 2023 rolling on the road this year, starting Week 1 with a divisional matchup against the Falcons.
Atlanta will host Carolina at Mercedes-Benz Stadium at 1 p.m. this Sunday to kick off the season.
The Panthers are 21-35 all-time against the Falcons, with an 8-21 clip on the road. They're 0-4 in overtime against Atlanta, with the last matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium ending in an overtime loss last October. Carolina won its last meeting against the Falcons at home on Thursday Night Football in November.
Here's what to know about the Falcons:
BIJAN ROBINSON HIGHLIGHTS RUN-HEAVY OFFENSE
Atlanta's offense already highlighted its rushing attack last year. But the Falcons continued to commit to the run with their first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, selecting former Texas running back Bijan Robinson at eighth overall.
Robinson comes to the league with great expectations after a strong college campaign with the Longhorns, and he flashed in his preseason debut against the Bengals last month. Robinson evaded tacklers on his first touch – a 12-yard carry – and put up 20 yards on four attempts in one drive, adding a 6-yard reception on the series, too.
He'll join second-year running back Tyler Allgeier, who finished his rookie year with 1,035 yards on 210 carries, averaging 4.9 yards per attempt with three touchdowns. They also return veteran Cordarrelle Patterson, who put up 695 rushing yards in his 10th NFL season last year.
Patterson missed Monday's practice while he recovers from a soft tissue injury sustained in August, so his status for Week 1 is uncertain.
DESMOND RIDDER TAKES THE REINS
The Falcons will roll with quarterback Desmond Ridder at the helm of the offense, earning the first season-opening start of his career.
Ridder started in the Falcons' final four games last season, completing 63.5 percent (73-of-115) of his passes for 708 yards and two touchdowns in that span.
Wide receiver Drake London highlights Ridder's arsenal of pass-catchers, as the second-year wideout put up 866 yards on 72 receptions in his rookie year despite the Falcons' rush-heavy tendency. The Falcons acquired receiver Mack Hollins after a career-best season at the Raiders. With Las Vegas, Hollins put up 690 receiving yards on 57 catches in 2022, high marks for the six-year veteran, who played college football at North Carolina.
Ridder will also have a healthy Kyle Pitts, as the tight end was limited to 10 games last season and put up just 356 receiving yards in his sophomore campaign marred by a knee injury.
NEW FACES ALONG THE DEFENSE
Atlanta has a new defensive coordinator, bringing in Ryan Nielsen after his most recent stint as the co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at New Orleans.
The Falcons' defensive front has been bolstered in the offseason with new faces, including former Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata (5.0 sacks in 2022) and former Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell (5.5 sacks in 2022).
They return defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who put up 6.0 sacks along with 61 tackles and three forced fumbles last season.
The Falcons will also feature a pair of productive new linebackers, including former Saint Kaden Elliss (7.0 sacks, two forced fumbles in 2022) and former Titan Bud Dupree (4.0 sacks, two fumble recoveries in 2022).
Carolina is 21-35 all-time against Atlanta dating all the way back to 1995.
Carolina Panthers free safety Tre Boston (33) runs back a intercepted ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Atlanta. Boston scored on the play. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons on December 31, 2017 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons on December 31, 2017 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2012, file photo, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) dives into the end zone for a touchdown as Atlanta Falcons' Chris Owens (21) pursues during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C. The Panthers second-year quarterback had his best game of the season, but the highlight occurred as he was crossing the goal line to complete a 72-yard scoring run. He somersaulted into the end zone, and as his legs were in the air, he was nudged slightly by a Falcons defensive back. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt, File)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick is stopped by Carolina Panthers linebacker Dan Morgan (55) and defensive back Deveron Harper, left, as he scrambles during the first half in Atlanta, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2001. (AP Photo/Alan Mothner)
Carolina Panthers strong safety Kurt Coleman (20) celebrates his interception and touchdown 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 quarterback Michael Vick (7) is forced out of bounds by Carolina Panthers' Mark Fields (58) and Dan Morgan, rear, during the third quarter Saturday, Dec. 18, 2004 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
FILE Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) runs as Atlanta Falcons' DeAngelo Hall (21) closes in during their NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., in a Sunday Dec. 4, 2005 photo. Tedy Bruschi didn't get a chance to tackle Steve Smith when the Patriots played the Panthers in September. By midseason, he'd made a remarkable comeback from a stroke and was starting for New England. His return was as impressive as Smith's achievement of returning from a knee injury that cost the Carolina receiver nearly all of the 2004 season. On Thursday, Jan. 5, 2006, they shared The Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year award. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, file)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick (7) is sacked by Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) during the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 24-6 win in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Dec. 4, 2005.(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' DeShaun Foster (26) celebrates after a touchdown past Atlanta Falcons' DeAngelo Hall (21) during the first quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Dec. 4, 2005.(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Les Miller (69) sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tony Graziani (13) in the second quarter of their NFL game at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Oct. 26, 1997. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panther Cam Newton (1) signals for a first down against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panther Christian McCaffrey (22) scores against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panther Cam Newton (1) dives for the end zone against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers Mike Adams (29) intercepts a pass against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panther Devin Funchess (17) looks for running room against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panther Luke Kuechly (59) against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play the final regular season game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on Sunday, December 28, 2014, in Atlanta, GA.
Carolina Panthers play the final regular season game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on Sunday, December 28, 2014, in Atlanta, GA.
Carolina Panthers play the final regular season game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on Sunday, December 28, 2014, in Atlanta, GA.
Carolina Panthers play the final regular season game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on Sunday, December 28, 2014, in Atlanta, GA.
Carolina Panthers strong safety Juston Burris (31), free safety Tre Boston (33), and Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Jeremy Chinn (21) celebrate an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Atlanta. The Carolina Panthers won 23-16. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) scrambles past Atlanta Falcons' Sean Weatherspoon (56), Kroy Biermann (71) and Chris Hope (24) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. The Panthers won 30-20. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers play against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 3, 2013.
Carolina Panthers play against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 3, 2013.
Carolina Panthers play against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 3, 2013.
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) signals a first down after a run as Atlanta Falcons' Sean Weatherspoon (56) and Chris Hope (24) move downfield during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. The Panthers won 30-20. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton greets fans after the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, in Atlanta. The Carolina Panthers won 21-20. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
