The Detroit Lions head into Sunday night with their offense rolling and their defense still under the microscope. Through three games under new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, Detroit is averaging 31 PPG, but the other side of the ball has been the louder storyline after the 41-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 2 and two one-possession home wins over the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets at Ford Field.
That sets the stage for DJ Wonnum’s return to Carolina. The Lions linebacker is back in a place he knows well, and this one has the feel of a revenge game against his former team. Wonnum signed a one-year, $6 million deal with Detroit this offseason after two seasons with the Panthers.
Wonnum’s path to this moment started well before Carolina. The Minnesota Vikings picked him No. 117 overall in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, and he spent four seasons there to open his NFL career. Now he’s trying to carry over the momentum from Detroit’s win over the Jets, where he finished with two total tackles and two sacks.
For the Lions, that kind of production is exactly what they need again on Sunday night. Wonnum played 24 games for Carolina across two seasons and put up 79 total tackles, seven sacks, one forced fumble, and one interception. He also returned to practice Thursday after dealing with a back injury, and Detroit is hoping he can be a key piece in a primetime win.
The matchup itself points to another test for the Lions defense. Carolina comes in after a frustrating 21-18 loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 3 and will try to spring the upset, especially with Detroit missing two of its top cornerbacks. At the same time, the Lions offense should have room to operate.
Still, the Panthers have already shown they can survive in that kind of spot. Last season, playing without key defensive starters, they upset the Los Angeles Rams, a win that helped push them toward the NFC South title and a playoff berth.
This time, Carolina is trying to repeat that formula against a Lions team chasing the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears in the NFC North race. With Detroit’s recent games already coming down to the wire, Sunday night has the look of another contest that could be decided late. The question is whether Wonnum and the Lions defense can answer it.
In Other News...
Panthers Hit With New NFL Discipline Right Before Lions Game
The Panthers are dealing with a little added noise before their matchup with the Lions, as the NFL handed down fines to three Carolina players for penalties committed in Week 3 against Cleveland. A.J. Dillon was fined for a facemask, Lee Hunter for unsportsmanlike conduct tied to taunting, and Thomas Incoom for unnecessary roughness involving helmet use.
None of the three was suspended, so Carolina will still have its full group available when it lines up against Detroit. Even so, the discipline serves as a reminder that the league is watching closely, and the Lions will face a Panthers team trying to keep its edge without letting the extra attention spill into Sunday. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Suddenly Face A Sam LaPorta Question They Couldn't Settle
The Lions and Sam LaPorta have hit pause on contract-extension talks after several weeks of negotiations failed to produce a deal, a familiar sort of detour for a franchise that has not shied away from working on its own timeline. LaPortas side decided to step back for now so the tight end can stay focused on the season, leaving open the possibility that the conversation picks up again once the games are over.
For Detroit, the situation turns one of its most important young pieces into an offseason question again, even if the door is not closed. The team has a history of handling contracts during the season, and it would not be a surprise if it tries again to keep LaPorta in place long term, especially with the chance that any agreement could land him among the leagues highest-paid tight ends. [Read more 🡒]
Isaac TeSlaa Has A Real Chance To Build On Last Week
Isaac TeSlaa finally gave the Lions a glimpse of what he can add to the passing game last week, finishing with four catches for 66 yards against the Jets. For a second-year receiver still trying to carve out a steadier role, it was the kind of outing that can change how a coaching staff looks at the depth chart from one week to the next.
The next opportunity looks even more inviting against Carolina, which has already lost two starting cornerbacks to injured reserve. With Detroit likely looking to keep feeding TeSlaa after his uptick in involvement, betting analyst Drew Ellis is expecting him to top his receiving total from last week, a sign that this might be more than a one-game spike for a young player trying to force his way into the offense. [Read more 🡒]