CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Atlanta Falcons entered Week 3 riding high but exited with more questions than answers after getting shut out by the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.

Final score: 30-0

Why it's important: The Falcons drop to 0-2 in the NFC South, while the Panthers are 1-0 and in second place behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the division lead. Atlanta's two NFC South losses equal its total last season, and there are still four divisional games left on the schedule. The Falcons have not made the playoffs since 2017.

Key takeaway: The Falcons did not put any points on the scoreboard. There were two missed field goals and zero plays in the red zone. It was the first time since the Falcons' 25-0 loss to the New England Patriots in Week 11 of the 2021 season that Atlanta was held scoreless.

Key moment: On the Falcons' second offensive play of the second half, quarterback Michael Penix Jr.'s pass, intended for running back Bijan Robinson, was intercepted by Panthers cornerback Chau Smith-Wade, who returned the pick 13 yards for a touchdown. That put the Panthers up, 17-0, with 11:39 remaining in the third quarter. It was Penix's first turnover of the season.

Standout performance: Bijan Robinson. The running back was a bright spot. He had 13 carries for 72 yards and five receptions for 39 yards.

Number to know: 2. The offense had two turnovers, defense gave up two touchdowns, and special teams had two missed field goals.

Player milestone:

• With his solo tackle at the 1:15 mark in the second quarter, inside linebacker Kaden Elliss extended his streak of games with at least four combined tackles to 20, which is tied for the fifth-longest active streak in the NFL.
• With his 17-yard run at the 10:54 mark in the third quarter, running back Bijan Robinson reached 97 yards from scrimmage. It made for his ninth straight game with 90-plus scrimmage yards, which tied him for second most in Falcons history. Running back William Andrews leads with 25 straight games.
• With his 3-yard run at the 3:36 mark in the fourth quarter, running back Nathan Carter made his offensive debut. He was an undrafted free agent the Falcons signed this offseason.

A quick tweet: The Falcons editorial staff of Tori McElhaney, Will McFadden and Terrin Waack share their gut reactions to Sunday's outcome in 280 characters or less.

• McElhaney: My mother always told me if I don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.
• McFadden: The good vibes after Minnesota feel like a distant memory now.
• Waack: I knew not to underestimate the Panthers, but I did not expect all that unfolded in Carolina.

Setting the storylines:

• Cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. is "week-to-week" with a hamstring injury. He was inactive Sunday. Dee Alford started opposite Mike Hughes in his spot.
• The Falcons released Younghoe Koo and signed Parker Romo as their kicker on the 53-man roster. Romo made all five of his field-goal attempts in Week 2 but missed his only two attempts in Carolina.
• Regardless of Sunday's outcome, quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. and Bryce Young appear to be the future of the NFC South's I-85 rivalry.
• The Week 3 edition of Nerdy Birds dived into the defense's offseason overhaul and how it's paying early dividends.
• Everyone in this week's NFL Expert Picks predicted the Falcons would beat the Panthers.
• Catch up on all the news that came out in the lead-up to Sunday's game in one spot here.

Looking forward: The Falcons return to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to host the Washington Commanders next Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on CBS.