Recap: Panthers run all over Lions in 37-23 loss

The Lions had a chance to control their own playoff destiny and royally blew it in this 37-23 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

The defense couldn’t tackle a soul. The Panthers ran for a franchise record 321 yards and had almost 600 yards of total offense. It was an embarrassing performance for a team that had done its best to avoid them as of late.

This loss doesn’t take the Lions out of the playoff hunt, but it’s a huge missed opportunity. With Seattle and the Giants losing and Washington playing San Francisco later today, they could have been in the seventh seed in the NFC with a win. Now at 7-8 they have to win out and get a lot of help.

Final: Panthers 37, Lions 23

Shane Zylstra hat trick

-Q4 3:46: Shane Zylstra catches his third TD pass of the day. Have a day. It’s 34-20 now.

-Q4 10:33: Lions get deep into Panthers territory but turn it over downs.

Panthers add a field goal

-Q4 13:13: Panthers add a 40-yarder as the they increased their led to 34-13.

End of third quarter: Panthers lead Lions 31-13

Lions start comeback

-Q3 3:09: Goff finds Shane Zylstra for their second TD connection of the day. 2 pt. conversion failed. The Lions are on the comeback trail. 31-13.

-Q3 6:47: The…Panthers? Went three-and-out? Weird. Didn’t think they were allowed to do that.

-Q3 8:05: This blizzard continues to roar. We’ve gotten well over a foot here on the west side of the state but the winds have died down some. Oh, and the Lions went three-and-out again.

Panthers score yet again

-Q3 9:12: Panthers score again, shocking as that may seem. 31-7.

-Q3 12:46: Goff is sacked on third down and the Lions have to punt. What’s everyone having for Christmas Eve dinner?

Second half underway

Lions get the ball to start the second half as they try to claw their way back into this.

First half stats

Goff: 10-15, 132 yards, TD

Swift: 3 rushes, 8 yards

St. Brown: 4 catches, 53 yards

Chark: 2 catches, 43 yards

Zylstra: 1 catch, 3 yards, TD

Halftime: Panthers 24, Lions 7

Panthers hit a 37-yard FG at the half.

-Q2 0:59: The Lions go three-and-out again. Find something else to do this afternoon. It’s Christmas Eve, spend some time with your family.

Two-minute warning

Panthers increase their lead

-Q2 2:08: D’Onta Foreman literally just walked through the Lions defense and into the end zone. This is pathetic. It’s 21-7.

-Q2 8:34: Goff has two passes tipped and incomplete. The Lions go three and out. Look out, folks. This could get ugly.

Panthers score again

-Q2 9:35: The Panthers capitalize and score. This Lions’ run defense is putrid right now. It’s been big run after big run. 14-7.

Goff turns it over

-Q2 14:17: Jared Goff drops the snap and the Panthers recover. The Lions had a nice drive going too. That’s their first turnover in a while.

End of first quarter: Lions and Panthers tied at 7

Lions are driving, though.

-Q1 6:14: Lions’ defense gets off the field at around midfield. Much better.

Lions respond

-Q1 8:38: The Lions’ offense responds with a touchdown of its own. Goff to Shane Zylstra. Nice answer. We’re tied at 7.

Panthers take early lead

-Q1 11:57: Well that was about as bad a start as you could imagine. The Lions’ run defense, which has been so good as of late, allowed the Panthers to run the ball down their throats, including two 30+ yard runs from Chubba Hubbard. Lions down 7-0 early.

Kickoff

Lions win the toss and defer. Panthers up first on offense. Here we go.

Injury designations

ACTIVE: C Frank Ragnow (foot), LB Derrick Barnes (knee)

INACTIVE: RB Craig Reynolds, FB Jason Cabinda (illness), G Kayode Awosika, G Ross Pierschbacher, DL Michael Brockers, DE Austin Bryant, S DeShon Elliott (shoulder)

Pregame

The Lions will look to have a winning record for the first time since the 2019 season as they take on the Carolina Panthers on Christmas Eve.

The Panthers will start Sam Darnold at quarterback, meaning the Lions will have faced to back-to-back Jets’ draft busts. Carolina also runs the ball a ton, which is good news for a Lions’ defense that has been stout against the run in recent weeks.

The Lions just need to keep on winning. If they do that, they should be fine.

Follow along for live updates from Detroit News contributor Matthew Scheidel.