Carolina Panthers defeat Detroit Lions 32-26 behind Bryce Young and Tetairoa McMillan
Bryce Young completed 29 of 41 passes for 329 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday night, connecting with Tetairoa McMillan 14 times as Carolina handed Detroit its second loss of the season.
Carolina offensive surge
The Carolina Panthers earned a 32-26 victory over the Detroit Lions at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday night, moving both franchises to a 2-2 record. Carolina quarterback Bryce Young completed 29 of 41 passes for 329 yards and two touchdowns, completing his first 11 throws of the contest. Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan caught 14 of 16 targets for 192 yards and two touchdowns, serving as Young's primary target with Jalen Coker sidelined by a quad injury and Xavier Legette out with a knee injury. Running back Chuba Hubbard added 120 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground. After punting on their opening drive, the Panthers scored on six consecutive possessions, including four touchdowns, using run-pass option schemes instituted by offensive coordinator Brad Idzik.
Carolina offensive lineman Robert Hunt commended his quarterback's composure in the pocket following the game.
He played efficient, stood in the pocket, delivered the football at a high clip. Everybody got to see what we see.
- Panthers punt on their first possession
- Panthers score four touchdowns and two field goals
- Carolina mounts touchdown drives of 88 and 85 yards
- Detroit takes possession at its 13-yard line down by six
- Princely Umanmielen sacks Jared Goff
- Isaac TeSlaa is stopped one yard short on fourth-and-13
- Bryce Young takes two knees to seal the 32-26 win
Detroit defensive struggles
Detroit entered the contest ranked last in the league in points allowed and passing yards conceded. The unit under defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard surrendered 445 total yards and 12 explosive plays without forcing a turnover. Across their first four games, the Lions have allowed an average of 31.8 points and 423.8 yards per game, including 304 passing yards per game, while opponents have converted 52.8% of third downs and 100% of fourth downs. Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin was among the defensive players dealing with injuries for Detroit.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell addressed the performance in his postgame remarks.
It's not good enough right now. That's the bottom line.
- Jared Goff (passing)
- 412 yards
- Bryce Young (passing)
- 329 yards
- Tetairoa McMillan (receiving)
- 192 yards
- Chuba Hubbard (rushing)
- 120 yards
- Amon-Ra St. Brown (receiving)
- 75 yards
Fourth-quarter finish
Detroit quarterback Jared Goff completed 32 of 52 passes for 412 yards and one touchdown, while tight end Sam LaPorta added a score. German wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown caught eight passes for 75 yards, snapping his streak of scoring a touchdown in each of the first three games of the season. Detroit trimmed the deficit to six points and regained possession at their own 13-yard line with 2:03 remaining. Carolina defensive end Princely Umanmielen sacked Goff on second down, and an incompletion preceded a fourth-and-13 pass to Isaac TeSlaa, who was stopped one yard short of a first down. Young then knelt twice to run out the remaining clock.
Other Week 4 NFL outcomes
Across the league, only three teams remained undefeated at 4-0 following Sunday's games. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the previously unbeaten Las Vegas Raiders 30-27 behind two fourth-quarter touchdowns from Kenneth Walker III, though receiver Tyquan Thornton suffered a leg injury after catching two touchdowns. The San Francisco 49ers beat the Denver Broncos 24-14, aided by a 54-yard touchdown from George Kittle. The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Miami Dolphins 15-10, winning their second game of the season without scoring an offensive touchdown. In Seattle, the Seahawks defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 30-23 with two touchdowns from running back Emanuel Wilson.
