The Carolina Panthers play host to the Detroit Lions in a Week 11 matchup at Bank of America Stadium. Last week, the Panthers fell to the Buccaneers by a score of 46-23, while the Lions won at home against the Washington Football Team, 30-27. The 3-7 Panthers and 4-5 Lions both sit in 4th place in their respective divisions. Sunday’s matchup marks just the 10th all-time meeting between the Panthers and Lions. Carolina leads the overall series with a 6-3 record. The two clubs last met on 11/18/18 in Detroit, where the Lions topped the Panthers by a score of 20-19.
By the Numbers:
The Last Meeting:
It was nearly another fourth-quarter comeback for the ages, but a failed two-point conversion sealed Carolina’s fate as the Panthers fell 20-19 against Detroit at Ford Field, November 18, 2018.
Down 13-7 in the third quarter, a Lions’ three-and-out brought QB Cam Newton and Co. on the field, and the Panthers rallied with a 10-play, 92-yard scoring drive ended by a Newton pass to wide receiver Curtis Samuel from 12 yards out. The lead was within reach, but the score remained 13-13 after kicker Graham Gano missed the extra point. Stafford responded by hitting Kenny Golladay for a 19-yard go-ahead touchdown. A short Panthers drive gave Detroit a chance to ice the game, but linebacker Luke Kuechly came up with a big stop on second-and-6 that led to a Lions punt. A 34-yard bomb from Newton to running back Christian McCaffrey set the table for an exciting final two minutes of regulation. Four plays later, rookie wideout DJ Moore secured an 8-yard Newton pass deep in the right corner of the endzone to cut the deficit to one point. With the game on the line, Carolina opted to go for two, but Newton’s pass to receiver Jarius Wright was incomplete. Moore led all receivers with a then career-high 157 receiving yards and a TD, the most receiving yards by a rookie wide receiver in franchise history.
Offensive Leaders:
Carolina Connections:
- Lions DE Austin Bryant and S Jayron Kearse both played collegiately at Clemson.
- Lions DE Romeo Okwara and his brother DE Julian Okwara (reserve/injured list)
immigrated from Nigeria to Charlotte, N.C. in 2005. They attended Ardrey Kell
High School in the Ballantyne area of Charlotte. - Panthers defesive coordinator Phil Snow served as the linebackers coach for the Lions from 2006-08, after one season as a defensive assistant in 2005.
- Panthers LB Tahir Whitehead was originally drafted by Detroit in 2012 and played four seasons (2012-15) with the Lions
- Panthers G Michael Schofield played collegiately at Michigan.
- Panthers T Taylor Moton is originally from Okemos, Mich. and played collegiately at Western Michigan.
How to Watch:
TELEVISION BROADCAST: FOX (WJZY in Charlotte)
ON THE CALL: Kevin Kugler (play by play), Chris Spielman (color), Laura Okmin (reporter)
ONLINE: Fans can watch games for FREE online through Panthers.com on mobile web and the Panthers’ app. This week, all users everywhere will be able to watch the nationally televised game. Links to watch will be available at the start of the game on both platforms.
LOCAL RADIO BROADCAST: WBT-AM 1110 AM in Charlotte market, click here for a full list of affiliate stations.