Two standout defenders made their returns to the field in Week 8 for the Carolina Panthers—linebacker Shaq Thompson and cornerback Stephon Gilmore. And both men, who apparently have some stellar timing, made two of the two biggest plays of the day.
Right off the final two-minute warning, Gilmore picked off Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan at the Carolina 15-yard line on a pass intended for tight end Kyle Pitts. The interception—which, of course, came in his team debut—effectively iced the game with the Panthers up nine at the 1:53 mark of the fourth quarter.
In.
His.
First.
Game. @BumpNrunGilm0re!!!📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/wNaO3dMqkn
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) October 31, 2021
The takeaway was Carolina’s second of the afternoon. Their first, again, came on an interception by Thompson with just under four minutes remaining in the first half. His interception of Ryan halted a steady Falcons drive (also at the Carolina 15-yard line) that could’ve stretched the deficit at that point to at least a touchdown.
Not a bad first game, huh?
