By Steve Reed, AP Sports Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Bryce Young ran for a touchdown, Chau Smith-Wade returned an interception 11 yards for a score and rookie Ryan Fitzgerald made three field goals and the Carolina Panthers routed the Atlanta Falcons 30-0 on Sunday for their first win of the season.

Young was 16 of 24 for 121 yards, but played mistake-free after turning the ball over five times in the previous two games.

Smith-Wade's third-quarter pick-6 highlighted a dominant performance for defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero's unit as the Panthers (1-2) intercepted Michael Penix Jr. twice, forced three turnovers and limited the Falcons to 5 of 16 conversions on third and fourth downs for their first shutout since Nov. 22, 2020.

Outside of Bijan Robinson, who combined for 111 yards f

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