4 bold predictions for the Carolina Panthers vs. Lions in Week 16

Carolina Panthers win by 10 points

Steve Wilks will not have taken such a poor loss lightly. The interim head coach is fighting with all his power to get the Carolina Panthers trending upward – a task he’s achieved aside from the odd bump in the road.

It was never going to be easy, or perfect. Even though there is a growing belief in Wilks’ prospects of winning the head coaching job beyond 2022, he won’t want all his good work undone over the final three games.

This won’t go unnoticed by team owner David Tepper, who is currently finalizing plans for a hugely important 2023 offseason. Winning against the Detroit Lions would be a further sign of improved resolve within the locker room, so failure is not an option with the NFC South still up for grabs.

Carolina’s performance needs to be much better than last week to derail the red-hot Lions. A team riding on the crest of a wave under Dan Campbell who’ll love nothing more than the physical style of play that’s becoming synonymous with Wilks in Carolina.

Getting off to a good start is imperative. Taking the Lions lightly wouldn’t be wise, either.

There promises to be a festive atmosphere at Bank of America Stadium for the Christmas Eve game – the last of Carolina’s regular-season engagements on home soil.

Wilks is also 3-1 in front of the Panthers’ fanbase. Hopefully, these components will be enough for the former Arizona Cardinals head coach to lead his team to a convincing triumph.