Week 5 is upon us, and the Carolina Panthers (0-4) will walk into Ford Field desperately needing a win. Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions (3-1) are on a quest to deliver a long-overdue division title. Their paths intertwine this weekend, the second time they’ll share a field in the past 10 months.
Last year, it was the Panthers beating the Lions at home with a 37-23 final score. When these teams collide on Sunday, will anything change?
Corbs & crew back at it. pic.twitter.com/qA9jBOjAqV
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) October 4, 2023
Panthers vs. Lions Odds and Match Details
Team | Spread | Total | ML |
Panthers | +10
-110 |
Over 44.5
-110 |
+370 |
Lions | -10
-110 |
Under 44.5
-110 |
-485 |
*Odds Subject to Change |
- Fixture: Carolina Panthers @ Detroit Lions
- Date and Time: October 8, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.
- Location: Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan
- Weather Forecast: N/A (Domed Stadium)
- Field Surface: FieldTurf Core
Panthers vs. Lions Injury Report
Panthers Injuries
- Austin Corbett (G) – Knee: Out
- Donte Jackson (CB) – Shoulder: Questionable
- Frankie Luvu (LB) – Hip: Questionable
- Miles Sanders (RB) – Groin: Questionable
- Xavier Woods (S) – Hamstring: Questionable
Lions Injuries
- Taylor Decker (OT) – Ankle: Questionable
- Josh Reynolds (WR) – Groin: Questionable
- Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR) – Abdominal: Questionable
- Halapoulivaati Vaitai (G) – Knee: Questionable
Key Stats
Panthers Key Stats
Carolina’s 0-4 record can be traced to an offense only averaging 16.8 points per game. In his three starts, rookie QB Bryce Young has failed to lead the Panthers to 20 points. He’s also had a turnover in all three of his NFL games thus far.
It doesn’t help that he and backup QB Andy Dalton have been sacked 14 times already. The running game, led by Miles Sanders, is only picking up 4.0 yards per carry. Through the air, Carolina only averages 5.4 yards per pass attempt (31st). The final product is 4.2 yards per play, which ranks 30th among the 32 NFL teams.
Carolina’s defense hasn’t been much better, giving up 25.5 points per game this season. All four of their opponents have put up at least 20. They have 12 sacks and four interceptions, but the Panthers are still bleeding points.
Most of the damage has come on the ground, where Carolina’s opponents have racked up 545 yards and 4.9 yards per carry. They’ve only given up 786 passing yards, but opposing QBs are still gaining 7.1 yards per attempt. Per snap, the Panthers’ defense is allowing 5.3 yards.
Lions Key Stats
Detroit finished 2022, scoring 26.6 points per game (5th), and through four 2023 contests, they’re scoring 26.5. That’s despite six giveaways in the young season. The offensive line has held up, with Jared Goff only getting sacked five times.
Speaking of Goff, he’s fourth among NFL QBs in yards per pass attempt (7.9), while his 1,029 passing yards is eighth. Meanwhile, the Lions are 10th in rushing yards with 546 yards. David Montgomery already has five rushing touchdowns. Detroit’s offense is gaining 5.7 yards per play.
Meanwhile, the Lions defense is limiting opponents to 20.8 points per game. A 37-31 overtime loss against Seattle is the only time that Detroit allowed more than 20. They’ve sacked opposing quarterbacks 13 times, with Aiden Hutchinson’s 3.5 pacing the team.
They are arguably the NFL’s top rushing defense, having only surrendered 243 yards on the ground (1st). Foes only find 3.0 yards per carry (2nd) against the Lions. Other teams are gaining 6.5 yards per pass attempt (11th). Overall, the Lions only allow 4.5 yards per play, the fourth-best mark entering Week 5.
Game Prediction
Coming into this game, both of Carolina’s road contests ended with losses by at least 10 points. On paper, this should be their toughest test yet. The Panthers won’t be able to muster anything on the ground. Passing won’t be any easier, and Bryce Young is already 33rd among qualified quarterbacks with his 4.9 yards per attempt average.
That’s putting a lot of pressure on a subpar defense to stop one of the league’s most efficient offenses. Detroit can move the ball in multiple ways and stress any defense. With this game happening in Ford Field, it shouldn’t be close. The Lions will move to 4-1 with a lot of room to spare on the scoreboard.