Carolina Panthers Vs. Detroit Lions Week Eleven Predictions: Fan’s Take
With the horrible game that the Carolina Panthers turned in during week ten of the NFL football season behind them, the team has got to be questioning their chances heading into Detroit to face the Lions. Detroit is a far better team than the Tennessee Titans, and the Panthers were horrible against them. Luckily, the Panthers are not in the thick of a playoff race and can afford to have a mistake filled game without it costing them more than embarrassment. Unfortunately, fans like me have to suffer anyway. Do the Panthers have any real hope against the Lions? Sure they do, but they will need some things to happen.
Can they contain Calvin Johnson
Johnson has been the superman of the Detroit Lions receiving corps, and he has to be feeling good about his chances against the Panthers. Still, the Panthers are much stouter against the pass than most people realize. Also, Matthew Stafford(notes) had a horrid game against the Chicago Bears and has shown that he will turn the ball over on occasion. Can the Panthers take advantage of that?
Best being out will affect the Lions offense
Not having a great runner in the backfield like Jahvid Best will hurt the Lions, and the passing game could become one dimensional as it was against the Bears. If this happens, they are playing right into the Panthers strengths. When the Panthers know the pass is coming, they are pretty good. They have a developing pass rush with Charles Johnson(notes) and Greg Hardy(notes) on the ends, and the safeties are about as good as you will find as a team.
The offense is the real key
While the defense will be important, they will not contain Matthew Stafford at home all day long. The Lions will score some points and that much is certain. The real question is, can Cam Newton(notes) and the Panthers keep up? I do think that the Panthers are capable of winning this game by outscoring the Lions, but everything will have to click. The running game will have to be rolling, and Cam will need to be at his best. While I think this could happen, I do not think it will. Expect Carolina to lose a shootout to the Lions by a score of 38-31.
