Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers: Week 11 game preview

The Detroit Lions look to even their record with a win in Carolina

The Detroit Lions won on a game winning field goal from kicker Matt Prater against the Washington Football Team to put them back in the playoff hunt. In their next matchup, they’ll take on another below .500 team in the Carolina Panthers that they’ll look to get a win against.

Here, you’ll find information about the matchup history, what happened in their last matchup, what to watch for, what the Lions need to do to win and a prediction for the game.

Detroit Lions vs. Carolina Matchup History

The Lions and Panthers have faced each other nine total times. Carolina has the advantage with a 6-3 record.

Last Matchup

The last time the Lions and Panthers saw each other was on November 18th, 2018. The game took place in Detroit at Ford Field with the Lions taking the win by a mere point, 20-19.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 220 yards and a touchdown with 23 completions on 37 attempts. Running back Kerryon Johnson rushed for 87 yards on 15 carries along with a touchdown. Wide receiver Kenny Golladay caught eight passes for 113 yards as well as a touchdown.

On defense, the Lions combined for three sacks coming from linebackers Jarrad Davis and Devon Kennard and defensive end Ezekiel Ansah. Prater made two field goals this game with one of them being 54 yards.

For the Panthers, quarterback Cam Newton threw for 357 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. While the Lions are known for a poor run stopping defense, they changed those fortunes this game as star running back Christian McCaffrey rushed for only 53 yards on 13 tries.

Wide receiver D.J. Moore caught seven passes for 157 yards and a touchdown. Other touchdowns were caught by wide receiver Curtis Samuel and tight end Greg Olsen. Linebacker Luke Kuechly recorded 11 tackles with seven of them being solo.

Kicker Graham Gano missed a field goal which ended up being a difference maker in this game. Punter Michael Palardy made five punts averaging 44.4 yards a kick.

What to Watch For

Will the Lions be able to stop the Panthers run game? McCaffrey probably isn’t playing but the Panthers have a solid second running back in Mike Davis. Davis is currently averaging 4.2 yards a carry.

It has been revealed that Stafford is dealing with a torn ligament in his thumb on his throwing hand. He is expected to play but will that effect him from playing at his best?

Key to the Game

As the Panthers are expected to be without two of their key starters in McCaffrey and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, the Lions need to take on the opportunity to pounce on a weakened offense.

Prediction

With no McCaffrey and probably no Bridgewater, the Lions get a big advantage as it weakens the Panthers offense. This will ultimately end up in the Lions winning and evening their record at 5-5. Final score: Lions 30, Panthers:16