Panthers rout Falcons 30-0 as Penix throws two INTs, Cousins plays late

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Atlanta Falcons were routed 30-0 by the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, a blowout that featured two interceptions by second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr., including a pick-six, and ended with veteran Kirk Cousins replacing Penix in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium.

Carolina’s Chau Smith-Wade jumped a short dump-off intended for Bijan Robinson late in the second quarter, returned it 11 yards for a touchdown and helped turn the game into a rout. The Panthers forced three turnovers overall and held the Falcons without a point. Atlanta outgained Carolina 333 yards to 224 but could not convert yardage into scoring while missing two field-goal attempts by Parker Romo and committing a lost fumble and two failed fourth-down tries.

Penix completed 18 of 36 passes for 172 yards with two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, and was replaced with 11:04 left in the game while the Falcons trailed 27-0. Cousins completed 5 of 7 passes for 29 yards in mop-up duty. Head coach Raheem Morris said he removed Penix to "keep him out of harm’s way" with the contest out of hand and repeatedly rejected the notion that the veteran could now compete for the...