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Panthers are the ones with the quick start today

Panthers Falcons Football

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) dances prior to the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

AP

There were strong trends going into today’s Panthers-Falcons game.

And they’ve just been turned on their head.

The Panthers just went up 7-0 on a touchdown pass to Greg Olsen, reversing a trend of slow starts, and putting the Falcons behind on the scoreboard for the first time this season.

But what was more impressive was their work when Atlanta had the ball.

The Panthers forced a three-and-out, blitzing on first down and getting good pressure on Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.

It was the first time the Falcons failed to score a touchdown on their first possession all year, and the first time the Panthers failed to yield an 80-yard touchdown drive on the opening possession.