Amazingly enough, the Carolina Panthers didn’t have to necessarily come away with a win on Saturday afternoon to stay alive in the NFC South. But they got one, and they got it in a big way.
Here’s everything we know from the Panthers’ huge Week 16 victory over the Detroit Lions.
Final score: Panthers 37, Lions 23
Keys to the game
- The Panthers got back to their bully-ball brand, hitting the Lions defense up for a franchise record 570 total yards. A large chunk of that output came on the ground, as they rushed for another franchise record 320 yards.
- Quarterback Sam Darnold orchestrated the harmonious offensive performance, completing 15 of 22 passes for 250 yards and a touchdown while—for the fourth straight start—staying away from the turnover. He also rushed for 21 more yards and a score.
- And the engine that kept this unit going was its offensive line. Carolina’s hog mollies imposed their will in both the ground and air attacks—opening up huge holes all afternoon and keeping Darnold clean for zero sacks.
It was over when . . .
Down 34-13, Detroit went for one last gasp with just over 13 minutes left in the game. After a 42-yard kickoff return by running back Justin Jackson to start the touch, they’d proceed to trek down the field for 45 yards on six plays.
But on a fourth-and-5 from the Carolina 7-yard line, Panthers safety Xavier Woods laid the boom on Lions receiver Josh Reynolds to break up what would have been a touchdown pass from quarterback Jared Goff.
Players of the game
- RB D’Onta Foreman: 21 carries, 165 yards, touchdown
- RB Chuba Hubbard: 12 carries, 125 yards
- QB Sam Darnold: 15-of-22, 250 passing yards, one passing touchdown, four carries, 21 yards, rushing touchdown
What's next?
The biggest game of the season for these 6-9 Panthers is up next, as they travel to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a matchup that’ll play a major role in deciding the NFC South.
