Carolina Panthers: Week 2 Defensive grades at Atlanta Falcons

See how the Carolina Panthers defense performed against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2.

Carolina Panthers new defensive coordinator Eric Washington enjoyed a wonderful debut last week to begin regular season play. On Sunday in Atlanta, his unit looked like an entirely different bunch getting picked apart by quarterback Matt Ryan and allowing the Falcons offense to essentially run at will.

The Panthers had a league leading 21-straight games without having allowed a 100-yard rusher to their opponent and with star running back Devonta Freeman sidelined, it appeared number 22 was a given – wrong. Tevin Coleman rushed for 107-yards and rookie Ito Smith added 46 of his own, averaging over five-yards per carry.

Julio Jones was held in check but everyone around him picked up the slack and Atlanta cruised to a two score lead twice in the second half. It was a disappointing performance but far too many times in recent memory, this defense has bailed out their offensive counterparts and it was even more upsetting that the offense couldn’t capitalize and help their teammates out when they needed it most.

Continue to see how each defensive unit and special teams graded out after a 31-24 divisional loss to the Atlanta Falcons.