The Panthers are walking into Week 4 with injury issues hanging over them, but Detroit still has plenty to respect on Sunday night.
The Lions have their own checklist to clean up if they want this one to go smoothly: the offensive line needs to keep trending in the right direction, the secondary has to do a better job limiting explosive plays, and both Jahmyr Gibbs and Jared Goff need steady nights. Even with Carolina banged up, there are still four names that can make life annoying for Detroit.
Start with Bryce Young, because everything on Carolina’s offense still runs through him. This is not the same quarterback the Lions saw in 2023.
He looks more comfortable in the pocket now, and he’s trusting his receivers to make plays. Carolina has also done a better job giving him help, with Chuba Hubbard at running back and receivers such as Jalen Coker and Tetairoa McMillan around him.
Young isn’t Josh Allen, and he doesn’t create the same kind of chaos with his legs. But he has leaned on his arm this season, and that’s where Detroit has to be sharp.
The Lions are giving up a league-worst 299.3 passing yards per game, so this matchup could get uncomfortable fast if Young gets into a rhythm. The key for Detroit is simple: make him uneasy in the pocket and stay tight in coverage.
On the other side of the ball, Jaelan Phillips is the kind of edge rusher who can disrupt a game without needing a huge spotlight. He has two sacks, two tackles for loss, and 12 total sack yards so far, giving Carolina the sort of edge presence it needed. Detroit’s pass protection has been strong - it ranks 2nd overall in pass block win rate - and Jared Goff has handled pressure well, but Phillips is still a player the Lions can’t ignore.
The biggest target threat in this game might be Tetairoa McMillan. With Xavier Leggette ruled out and Jalen Coker coming off a quad injury, McMillan could be in line for a heavy workload.
If Coker is limited or unavailable, the ball may simply have to keep finding McMillan. Carolina does have other options, including Darren Waller and Tommy Tremble, both of whom have started well, but McMillan feels like the centerpiece here.
That matters because Detroit has already had trouble cutting off the supply line to fast, athletic receivers this season, with Chris Olave, Keon Coleman, and Garrett Wilson among the names that have caused problems.
Then there’s Devin Lloyd, who is back after missing Week 3 and brings a different kind of headache. He’s a turnover threat all over the field and can also affect the pocket as a pass rusher.
His two interceptions in two games alone are enough to make Goff think twice. Lloyd will also need to be watched in coverage, especially against Detroit’s tight end group.
If he’s around the ball, he can tilt possessions in Carolina’s favor in a hurry.
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 🡒]