That was not exactly what everyone was hoping for from the Detroit Lions this week, who were hoping to keep their playoff hopes alive. Instead, they were manhandled from start to finish losing to the Carolina Panthers, 37-23.
There was a lot of hope for the Lions walking into this week riding high from winning six of their last seven and coming off a tough victory over the New York Jets, but this week looked the Lions who started 1-6 in the season. The Panthers had a lot riding on this game, hoping to close the gap in their division, so you knew they would come out swinging, and that is exactly what they did, and the Lions did not look like they were ready for the punch to the gut.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t much good to come out of this game, and it will be a reflection period for everyone on the team. We will try to highlight a couple of players, but all in all it was not a showing the Lions were hoping for to stay in the hunt.
Dec 24, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84) catches a touchdown pass as Carolina Panthers safety Xavier Woods (25) defends in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Even the loss will overlook the production; the Lions offense came from a player who has been relatively quiet this season. However, Zylstra had a career game catching all of the Lions three touchdowns against the Panthers. He only had 26 yards total, but Jared Goff was able to find a connection with Zylstra today in the red zone. The Lions have continued to receive production from their tight ends since they traded T.J. Hockenson, and today it was Zylstra’s turn.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 24: Chuba Hubbard #30 of the Carolina Panthers carries the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at Bank of America Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Right from the get-go, the Panthers wanted to establish their run game, which is exactly what happened with the first play going for 30 yards from Chubba Hubbard. The Panthers managed to gash the Lions defense for 320 yards on the ground, with Hubbard (125 yards) and D’Onta Forman (165 yards) having career days on the ground. The Panthers also had franchise-high 364 yards in the first half, 240 of those coming on the ground. The defensive line was getting pushed around, linebackers were…
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