Tetairoa McMillan put on a clinic, Bryce Young stayed hot and Dan Campbell’s defense folded in a 58-point track meet. And if you pegged Detroit for a drop-off this season, Sunday night gave you all the validation you needed.
Featuring nearly 900 combined yards, Dan Campbell’s squad fell 32-26 to the Panthers in Carolina.
The Lions dropped to 2-2 after failing to keep pace with an offense that out-executed them when it mattered most.
Panthers top wideout Tetairoa McMillan tormented Detroit’s secondary, more than living up to his first-round selection. The 6-foot-5 target hauled in 14 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns. His clutch toe-tap catch on the sideline with under three minutes remaining kept the drive alive and iced the victory for Carolina.
Bryce Young sliced through Detroit in Dave Canales’ quick, play-action scheme, completing 29 of 41 passes for 329 yards and two scores.
Chuba Hubbard provided the hammer on the ground for Carolina, rushing 20 times for 122 yards and two touchdowns.
Carolina’s core has clicked into place since last postseason’s jab-for-jab loss to the Rams, establishing the Panthers as the team to beat in the NFC South.
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Jared Goff threw for 412 yards and a touchdown on 32-of-52 passing, but the Lions stalled repeatedly inside the red zone and settled for four field goals before a late touchdown cut into the lead.
As the clock hit zero, Goff sat slumped on the bench.
Dan Campbell’s brand for Detroit is built on physical dominance, but his defense got pushed around at Carolina’s will.
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