Detroit Lions vs Carolina Panthers final score: Carolina surges past Detroit, 24-7
Cam Newton doesn’t need an elite wide receiver or even a decent one. He doesn’t even need running backs. He’ll do it all. Newton and the Carolina Panthers surged past the Detroit Lions, 24-7, at Bank of America Stadium in Carolina.
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In his first game of the 2014 season, Newton accounted for 86 percent of the Panthers’ 313 total yards. He was 22-of-34 for 281 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 19 yards. He spread the ball around to seven players but tight end Greg Olsen proved most reliable, catching six balls for 72 yards.
Matthew Stafford gave the Panthers momentum in the fourth quarter when he threw a deep interception in the direction of Calvin Johnson. Lions cornerback Melvin White was on the other end of the pass. The Panthers stormed the other way for a touchdown and a two-point conversion, putting them ahead, 21-7. They didn’t look back.
Early on, the game looked like it would be low scoring. There were 245 total yards of offense before the first score, which was a field goal. There were 385 total yards of offense before the first touchdown. So while the teams could move the ball, they couldn’t get it into the end zone. It seemed Newton just needed a little warm up.
The biggest malady for both teams was the run game. The Lions averaged 3.9 yards per carry and the Panthers 2.6. Newton was the Panthers second leading rusher. Jonathan Stewart led both teams with only 37 yards rushing.
Matthew Stafford found fullback Jed Collins on 1-yard reception for the Lions only touchdown of the day. Stafford was 27-of-48 for 291 yards with a touchdown and a interception.
The Lions defensive front looked impressive for much of the game with 4 sacks on the game, but their secondary was porous as ever. To make things worse, they lost defensive back Nevin Lawson to an apparent left leg injury.
The Panthers deactivated Greg Hardy today after claiming they would play him all week. Hardy is entrenched in a domestic abuse charge and is, presumably, being punished for his actions. Despite his absence, the Panthers got 4 sacks, led by Mario Addison with 2.5 sacks. Their defense looked tough as a whole and stripped the Lions of their week 1 mojo.
The Lions will host the Green Bay Packers next Sunday at 1 p.m. The Panthers will host the Pittsburgh Steelers next Sunday at 8 p.m.