Final Carolina Panthers game-by-game predictions for the 2022 season
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers vs. Detroit Lions
The Carolina Panthers wrap up their home fixtures with a Christmas Eve cracker against the Detroit Lions. Although the NFC North club has been perennial bottom-feeders in recent years, there is a growing belief that Dan Campbell can finally get this organization back to relevancy as soon as next season.
Playing hard-nosed, physical football is the Lions’ new way under Campbell. And in fairness to them, they played hard right until the end despite another losing season and the No. 2 overall selection, which they used on stud pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson.
Carolina needs to be highly motivated for this one as the Lions will not be doing them any favors. The prospect of a winning record is the overall prize, which would send those in attendance at Bank of America Stadium home with plenty of festive cheer.
There are ways to expose the Lions providing the offensive line lives up to their end of the bargain. The doubts surrounding quarterback Jared Goff are there for all to see, so getting him off his spot with consistent pressure is crucial in the face of an outstanding tackle tandem in Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker.
Prediction: Win (9-6)
This would be a landmark success for the Panthers. Nine wins at this stage are better than many expect and might be enough for playoff football at long last in an NFC conference that isn’t expected to be littered with contenders.