Panthers Edge Lions 32-26 in Sunday Night Football Return
Carolina beat Detroit 32-26 as Bryce Young and Tetairoa McMillan led the Panthers’ offense in their return to Sunday Night Football. The Lions rallied around…
Carolina’s return to Sunday Night Football produced a close finish. The Panthers vs Lions matchup ended with the Panthers beating Detroit 32-26, as Bryce Young and Tetairoa McMillan powered the Carolina offense, according to Yahoo Sports’ game report.
Detroit’s stars helped keep the game within reach, but the Panthers made the decisive plays on offense. The result gave Carolina a primetime win over a Lions team led by quarterback Jared Goff.
The Lions opened with a drive built around running back Jahmyr Gibbs and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. Detroit crossed midfield, but Carolina’s defense deflected Goff’s third-down pass and forced a long field-goal attempt for the game’s first points.
Young answered with quick completions to John Metchie and McMillan. A penalty erased one of those plays, and a sack by Alim McNeil stalled the possession. Carolina’s defense then forced Detroit to punt after a Lions penalty pushed the team near its own goal line.
That field position helped the Panthers take control. Young connected on short throws while running back Chuba Hubbard added gains on the ground. Hubbard broke loose on a 15-yard run to the left, putting Carolina ahead 7-3.
The game stayed tight. A personal foul against Trevis Gipson for a low hit on Goff helped Detroit reach midfield late in the first quarter. In the second, Gibbs answered a tackle for loss with a long run, then caught a pass that appeared to move the chains. Latham Ransom knocked the ball loose, and Lions coach Dan Campbell’s challenge did not overturn the ruling.
Jake Bates made his second field goal to bring Detroit closer, at 7-6. Carolina responded despite another run being stopped by McNeil: Young climbed the pocket and found McMillan, according to Yahoo Sports’ account.
Young and McMillan were central throughout the game, which finished 32-26. The report described their performance as dominant, while Detroit continued to rely on Goff, Gibbs and St. Brown to generate offense.
The result also followed an injury setback for Carolina’s receiving group. ESPN reported that the Panthers placed Xavier Legette on injured reserve before the game after a knee injury. He had already been ruled out and was set to miss his second consecutive game after being hurt in the Week 2 win over Atlanta.
Jalen Coker, who leads Carolina in receptions and receiving yards, was unlikely to play because of a quad injury, ESPN reported. The Panthers elevated Ja’seem Reed from the practice squad as cover. If active, Reed would make his NFL regular-season debut in primetime.
Carolina coach Dave Canales said the team had options among its receivers. “Well, Ja'seem will come up and help,” Canales said Friday. He also noted that John Metchie had practiced and was ready to take on more work if Coker could not play.
ESPN also reported that right tackle Monroe Freeling cleared concussion protocol on Saturday and would start against Detroit. The Panthers’ final score: 32-26.
Source: talksport.com
