4 critical observations from the Panthers’ dominant win vs. Lions
By Luke Gray
Carolina Panthers dominated in the trenches
One would imagine following the embarrassing trench showing by the Carolina Panthers in Week 15, Steve Wilks would have challenged his men to respond. Something they managed in a big way with their most dominant ground performance statistically in franchise history.
Their 320 rushing yards was a new franchise record, but most of the damage was done in a superb first-half performance where the Panthers – led by D’Onta Foreman, Chuba Hubbard, Raheem Blackshear, and even Sam Darnold – ran for three scores and an incredible 240 yards. This was the most in the first half of an NFL game since 2016.
While the Detroit Lions adjusted in the second half and somewhat stifled the Panthers’ run game, we saw Sam Darnold step up behind an offensive line that didn’t allow a sack as the former No. 3 overall selection had his fourth straight without a turnover for the first time in his career.
On the other side of the ball, Carolina’s defensive line also rose to the occasion, holding the Lions’ running backs to just 45 yards. This was a real night and day performance from a week ago.
The Panthers also did something no one had managed for the last three weeks. That was sack quarterback Jared Goff and it came as no surprise to see in-form edge rusher Brian Burns doing the damage.
With just two games to go, Burns needs three sacks to beat the single-season sack record by a Panthers player, which is jointly held at 15 by Kevin Greene and Greg Hardy.