The Panthers beat the Detroit Lions 32-26 on Sunday night in Carolina, with Detroit dropping to 2-2 on the season. The Lions offense was explosive as usual, outgaining the Panthers 452 yards to 445, but Detroit had to settle for field goals on multiple drives while Carolina took over. Bryce Young finished 29 of 41 for 329 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.
Chuba Hubbard rushed for 122 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries, and Tetairoa McMillan had a career-high 192 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 14 catches. The Panthers didn't turn the ball over once, and the Lions' ground game was held in check all game, with Jahmyr Gibbs finishing with just 46 rushing yards and one touchdown on 15 attempts. Add in nine penalties and multiple drops, and it was a frustrating night for Detroit.
Speaking after the game, head coach Dan Campbell addressed the state of his team. "It's about finding a way to win, and that's what we haven't done consistently yet," Campbell said. "At the end of the day, we're 2-2, you know, and we got one on the road at Arizona, and then we get a bye.
So, yeah, listen, I know what it is. I understand what it is, but I'm also not in panic mode, you know. I gotta get these guys better.
We have to get these guys better collectively." More news: Steelers Add Super Bowl Champion CB After Joey Porter Jr Trade Sitting at .500 this early in the season isn't necessarily cause for concern, especially with both losses coming against the Panthers and Bills, two of the NFL's most explosive offenses. Detroit opened the season with a gritty 31-30 home win over the Saints, fell 41-31 in Buffalo on Thursday night, and then bounced back with a 31-24 victory over the Jets. But Sunday's loss to Carolina again highlighted the team's biggest problem: the defense.
While the Lions offense is averaging 29.8 points (fifth most in the NFL) and 389.3 total yards per game, the defense has been abysmal, allowing a league-worst 31.8 points and 423.8 yards per game. It's a wonder Detroit is even at .500 with a defense that can't stop anything. More news: Puka Nacua Injury Update Sparks Major Concern for Rams More news: Tyreek Hill Reunion With Chiefs Gets Competition From Surprise NFC Contender The Lions came into the season with a projected win total of about 10 to 11 games and were the favorites to win the NFC North.
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