Mike Olsen: Detroit is coming off of their most embarrassing performance of the season in the loss at Chicago. I would like to believe that they will be angry and motivated enough to come out swinging, and pummel the Carolina Panthers, but this wasn’t the case when they faced Atlanta after the controversial loss to the 49ers. The keys to this game are pressuring and containing Cam Newton, which will force mistakes, and generating a running game against one of the league’s worst run defenses. Detroit will show more of a commitment to running the football due to Stafford’s injury, and while Newton will do some damage, he won’t be on the field enough to carry his team to victory. Detroit Lions 38, Carolina Panthers 17
Nate VanNorwick: I don’t know if the Lions would agree with me or not, but to me this is a must win game. With the upcoming schedule, which includes the Packers twice and the Saints in New Orleans, the schedule is getting significanlty tougher and wins will be hard to come by.
This game will be interesting to see if the Lions play a blitz-heavy defense similar to what they did in Denver against the running quarterback they employ (if only his name was mentioned once or twice in the pressI might be able to rememer it), or if they continue to play the more standard front with only four rushing the passer and trying to contain Cam Newton that way.
In the end I foresee the Lions playing like madmen after the debacle in Chicago last weekend and coming out on top 23-17.
Chris Czar: After an embarassing effort in Chicago, the Detroit Lions right the ship for at least one more week as they look to silence doubters heading into their massive Thanksgiving matchup with the Packers. Matt Stafford bounces back and Calvin Johnson terrorizes the slumping Panther defense. Looks for Suh and company to fluster Cam Newton, similar to the way they harassed Tim Tebow. Newton is a million times more polished as a passer than Tebow, but he’s regresssing a little and the results won’t be good for him in a rauchous Ford Field. Detroit Lions 31, Carolina Panthers 16
Marty Medvedik: Lets hope the Detroit Lions aren’t already eyeing the Packers on Thanksgiving day. The Lions probably will do what the Titans (Jim Schwartz is kinda familiar with them) did to them last week and what they did to Tim Tebow in Denver. Don’t start blitzing until the second half. Cam Newton is like a Vince Young who can throw – very very dangerous. Nobody thought he would be THIS good THIS fast. I expect Stephen Tulloch to shadow him the entire game. If the Lions don’t have Packer’s on the brain they will win by two touchdowns. Lions 31, Panthers 17
Zac Snyder: Saying the Lions need a bounce-back performance following the debacle in Chicago is an understatement. The Lions have shown an ability to respond positively to hardships so far this season and I don’t expect the game against the Panthers to be any different. You can bet that the Lions defense will be amped up to stop wonder-rookie Cam Newton. This might seem to be a game the Lions would look past with the Thanksgiving game coming up but they have plenty of reasons not to. Lions 35, Panthers 23
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