ATLANTA -- Panthers head coach Dave Canales said he'd never before seen a linebacker take over a game like Devin Lloyd did in the third quarter of Sunday's 34-3 win over the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Lloyd had two interceptions, including one for a pick-six, nine total tackles, a sack and three pass breakups.
"I don't know if I've seen a better performance out of a linebacker in 17 years of coaching in the NFL," Canales said after the road win.
In the locker room, Lloyd's teammates were also in awe. The team captain, who was signed to a three-year, $45 million free agent deal in March, singlehandedly outscored the Falcons, 6-3.
"That's probably the most dominant performance I've seen ... from a defensive player since I've been here," two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn said.
"He better win [NFC] Defensive Player of the Week," defensive end Derrick Brown said with a smile.
Lloyd had five interceptions last season during his final year with the Jacksonville Jaguars. After watching the Panthers allow 59 points and 552 yards in their home-opening loss to the Chicago Bears, Lloyd took it upon himself to be a gamechanger.
Along with producing two interceptions of his own, his other pass breakup set up an interception for fellow inside linebacker Bobby Okereke.
"The biggest thing is just us coming out with the win," Lloyd said. "Just grateful for the team -- we played great complementary football. We found a way to respond from last week and come out with the victory."
Lloyd helped seal that victory before the end of the third quarter.
With 3:08 left in the frame, rookie quarterback Jack Strand -- filling in for Cooper Rush, who was benched after Lloyd's first third-quarter interception -- threw a pass to wideout Jahan Dotson. The pass was broken up by Horn and the ball landed in Lloyd's hands around the 16-yard line.
From there, Lloyd was off to the races to pay dirt.
Running back Chuba Hubbard called it a "Madden moment" before anointing Lloyd as a "one-of-one player."
Lloyd admitted after the game that he knew he'd score on the second interception.
"As soon as I got it, and then I made one [defender] miss, then I knew I was just going to fall into the end zone," Lloyd said.
The Panthers' defense held the Falcons' offense to 286 net yards and three total points. Carolina also had five total takeaways, with Lloyd involved in at least three of them.
"One of the most dominant linebacker performances I've seen," Canales said.