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Detroit Lions vs Carolina Panthers preview, predictions, betting odds, live stream info

By Henry McKenna

Sep 8, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during player introductions prior to the game against the New York Giants at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 8, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during player introductions prior to the game against the New York Giants at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Lions vs. Carolina Panthers

The Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers will face off at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday in a battle of 1-0 teams. Two former No. 1 overall picks will start at quarterback in Matthew Stafford and Cam Newton. Newton missed last week’s season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a rib injury he sustained in the preseason. Panthers’ coach Ron Rivera expects him to make his 2014 season debut against the Lions. He’ll look to replicate his backup Derek Anderson’s success from week 1. Matthew Stafford will attempt to replicate his own week 1 success. Stafford and Calvin Johnson obliterated the New York Giants in Detroit. They’ll be tested by a stronger Carolina defense led by Luke Kuechly, the NFL’s best linebacker.

Details for Sunday’s game are below:

Date: September 14, 2014
Start Time: 1:00 pm ET
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Stadium: Bank of America Stadium
TV Info: Fox Sports
Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket
Radio: Sirius XM
Ticket information: For Carolina Panthers ticket info click here. For Detroit Lions ticket info click here.

Keys to Victory

The Lions can’t let the tougher competition of the Carolina Panthers stop them. They showed in week 1 that they have the potential to be one of the NFL’s elite teams on offense and defense. They can’t play down to the Panthers level. They need to exploit the Panthers’ defensive inefficiencies — particularly in the secondary. Stafford, Johnson and Golden Tate will attempt to prove that the Panthers’ romp of Bucs’ quarterback Josh McCown was a mirage. Defensively, they need to keep Newton in the pocket while disrupting his footwork. It’s a tall task, but one that Nick Fairley and Ndamukong Suh can handle.

If Derek Anderson had success against a tough Tampa Bay defense, then Newton can handle the Lions, right? It’s not so simple. Newton’s injury has hampered many great quarterbacks, and the Lions will be gunning to put a few good shots on his chest to see how those ribs hold up. If Newton can bear the beating, he can begin to develop a rapport with his new receiving core, particularly first-round draft pick Kelvin Benjamin, who had a strong outing in week 1 with six receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown. The Panthers’ defense will need to keep the Lions’ big plays in check, limiting home run threats like Johnson and Reggie Bush.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: +2.5, -2.5
Moneyline: DET: 105, CAR: -125
O/U: 43.5

Prediction

The Lions will jump out to a fast start, but Newton and the Panthers will come surging back once Newton settles into his first game of the season. Still, it won’t be enough. The Lions’ well-balanced attack and tough defensive front will keep the Panthers from finishing the comeback. The Lions will remain undefeated and continue their NFL ascent.

Final Score: Lions: 34, Panthers: 31

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