In the 48 hours since Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and receiver Julio Jones became the first teammates in NFL history to rack up 500 passing yards and 300 receivers yards in the same game, the Panthers’ secondary has been lambasted. And rightfully so. But that’s just one part of the story.

For Carolina’s defense to be elite, or at least effective, it all starts up front. That’s especially the case with such an inexperienced secondary. If there’s no pass rush, a day like Sunday can happen.

“It’s got to work together,” defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said. “That’s not a shoebox answer. It’s the truth.”

Here’s the equation: Lack of a pass rush from the front four + blitzers not getting to Ryan + inevitable growing pains in the secondary = these 12 completions.

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First Quarter

 
1.) 1-10-ATL 29 (11:33)

Rush: Thomas Davis blitz

Drop: 5-step

Time to throw: 2.23

Pocket:

QB hit: No

Yards in air: 20

Closest defender: James Bradberry

Result: 22-yard gain

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2.) 1-10-CAR 49 (10:58)

Rush: Davis blitz

Drop: 5-step

Time to throw: 1.82

Pocket:

QB hit: No

Yards in air: 11

Closest defender: Bené Benwikere

Result: 14-yard gain

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3.) 1-10-CAR 35 (10:19)

Rush: Davis blitz

Drop: 5-step

Time to throw: 4.37

Pocket:

QB hit: No

Yards in air: 16

Closest defender: Colin Jones

Result: 15-yard gain

Note: Of the 12 completions, this one the only one where Ryan had to leave the pocket

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4.) 1-16-ATL 25 (1:51)

Rush: 4-man

Drop: 5-step

Time to throw: 2.33

Pocket:

QB hit: No

Yards in air: 41

Closest defender: Daryl Worley

Result: 43-yard gain

Note: Worley appeared to be looking for help from safety Kurt Coleman