Carolina rode a second-half surge to stun Miami 27-24 in Week 5, riding a ground-heavy attack and a sharp late rally. Bryce Young shook off early mistakes to finish 19 of 30 for 198 yards and two touchdowns, the second of which sealed it to Mitchell Evans. Rico Dowdle exploded for a career-best 206 rushing yards and a TD on 23 carries, while the 2025 draft class chipped in with McMillan leading with 73 receiving yards. Carolina’s defense bottled up De'Von Achane and Ollie Gordon II to 14 rushing yards on 13 carries, with Rozeboom and Moehrig piling up tackles. Miami’s Jaylen Waddle totaled 110 receiving yards and Minkah Fitzpatrick added an early pick on Young. The Panthers showed resilience and depth that could reshape their fantasy upside as they eye a favorable slate ahead.

Carolina elevates Brandon Walton and Boogie Basham from the practice squad for Week 4 vs. New England, adding depth on the line as D.J. Wonnum and Pat Jones II sit. Walton logged seven snaps last week; Basham provides veteran edge presence. 2025 picks Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen are expected to start at outside linebacker, signaling a shift on the defense as the rookie duo handles increased duties.

The roster shuffles underscore Panthers’ need to weather injuries and offer potential fantasy ripple effects for IDP managers and rookies stepping into bigger roles in a pivotal early-season matchup.

Carolina overhauled its front seven with multiple picks and free-agent adds to boost the rush and run defense, but the middle remains thin after Josey Jewell was released while still in concussion protocol. That hole shows up early as the Panthers try to pressure passers while dealing with a still-developing secondary.

Tight-end coverage is a liability, with miscommunications allowing easy TDs to uncovered targets like Hunter Long, and Rozeboom’s attempts to organize traffic didn’t translate on the field. Facing Pitts/Ottton levels of talent could doom the defense on big days.

Fantasy implications center on Bryce Young and rookies Nic Scourton and Tetairoa McMillan—plus run-game work for Chuba Hubbard—as Week 1 provides a telling test of the Panthers’ new approach and whether the upgraded front can cover up the gaps.

Drake London ascends as the NFC TD leader trajectory hinges on Michael Penix Jr.’s Falcons debut. Penix-London chemistry blossomed in three games, yielding two multi-TD performances and a red-zone rapport that could redefine Atlanta’s passing game. Leonard Floyd anchors Atlanta’s defense, while rookie pass-rushers in Walker and Pearce Jr. face a learning curve. Atlanta opens 3-0, while two NFC playoff teams—Tampa Bay and Minnesota—enter Week 1 with health advantages, setting up a volatile, high-variance season for fantasy owners.

London’s leap pairs with Penix to amplify Falcons’ aerial upside, Floyd’s sack production could buoy a modest defensive return, and the Vikings’ Addison returns from suspension to test NFC ceilingbacks. Carolina’s Nic Scourton on the Panthers’ edge adds another wrinkle to the league’s most intriguing Falcons storyline of 2025.