The Carolina Panthers entered Week 15 controlling their own destiny. Win at home against a beatable Steelers team and take the lead in the NFC South. Coming off a Week 14 statement win in Seattle, all the momentum was seemingly swinging the Panthers’ way as interim head coach Steve Wilks called on his team and fans to “Protect the Bank.” Instead the Panthers got punched in the mouth by Pittsburgh and never recovered.
Luckily, for Carolina, Tampa Bay also lost in Week 15 and the Panthers enter Week 16 in the same position – at home and controlling their own destiny. But what Carolina team will show up at Bank of America Stadium Christmas Eve?
The Panthers know how to respond to disappointing losses. After an embarrassing 42-21 ‘L’ to Cincinnati in Week 9, Carolina defeated the Atlanta Falcons 25-15 in Week 10. The Panthers then followed up a 13-3 loss to the Ravens with a 23-10 win over the Broncos. Based on their track record, Carolina should bounce back, but there’s a big difference between those teams and Detroit.
The Lions are cooking right now – winning 6 of their last 7 contests. Detroit’s offense is one of the best in the league. The Lions have scored 30-or-more points in seven games this season, tied for the most in the NFL. Of Detroit’s 144 offensive possessions this season, they have only gone three-and-out 20 times (13.9%), ranking third in the NFL in their three-and-out efficiency and of their 144 offensive possessions this season, they have only gone three-and-out 20 times (13.9%), ranking third in the NFL in their three-and-out efficiency.
The Panthers can’t go toe-to-toe with the Lions offensively. They aren’t built like that. But they can slow Goff and company down defensively. The key will be getting pressure up front against the top-ranked offensive line in the league and getting off the field on 3rd down.
The Panthers’ defense that sacked Marcus Mariota five times needs to pull up. The Panthers defense that limited a potent Lamar Jackson to a field goal through the first three quarters needs to make an appearance. The Panthers’ defense that set the tone early against the Seahawks with a turnover needs to take the field. If Carolina wants to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Panthers will have to do all three of those – get pressure on the quarterback, hold the Lions to field goals and win the turnover margin. That’s how the Panthers won’t let the bank get robbed two weeks in a row.