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DETROIT
CAROLINA |
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Final
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| 251 | DETROIT | 43.5 | 43.5 | | 252 | CAROLINA | -3 | -2.5 |
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| All Games | 1-0 | +1 | 1-0 | 1-0 | 35.0 | 14.0 | 417.0 | (6.7) | 0.0 | 14.0 | 7.0 | 197.0 | (3.6) | 2.0 | | Last 3 Games | 1-0 | +1 | 1-0 | 1-0 | 35.0 | 14.0 | 417.0 | (6.7) | 0.0 | 14.0 | 7.0 | 197.0 | (3.6) | 2.0 |
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| Offense (All Games) | 35.0 | 14.0 | 20.0 | 36:04 | 30-76 | (2.5) | 22-32 | 68.7% | 341 | (10.7) | 62-417 | (6.7) | (11.9) | | Opponents Defensive Avg. | 35 | 14 | 20 | 36:04 | 30-76 | (2.5) | 22-32 | 68.7% | 341 | (10.7) | 62-417 | (6.7) | (11.9) | | Defense (All Games) | 14.0 | 7.0 | 16.0 | 23:56 | 22-53 | (2.4) | 18-33 | 54.5% | 144 | (4.4) | 55-197 | (3.6) | (14.1) | | Opponents Offensive Avg. | 14 | 7 | 16 | 24:56 | 22-53 | (2.4) | 18-33 | 54.5% | 144 | (4.4) | 55-197 | (3.6) | (14.1) |
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| Stats For (All Games) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 15-10 | 66.7% | 0-0 | 0.0% | 0-0 | (0) | 3-11 | (3.7) | 8-85 | | Opponents Avg. Stats Against | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 15-10 | 66.7% | 0-0 | 0.0% | 0-0 | (0) | 11-3 | (3.7) | 8-85 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 2.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | | 13-3 | 23.1% | 3-2 | 66.7% | 1-14 | (14) | 2-30 | (15) | 4-25 | | Opponents Avg. Stats For | 2 | 0 | 2 | | 13-3 | 23.1% | 3-2 | 66.7% | 1-14 | (14) | 30-2 | (15) | 4-25 |
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| All Games | 1-0 | +1.6 | 1-0 | 0-1 | 20.0 | 10.0 | 334.0 | (5) | 0.0 | 14.0 | 0.0 | 264.0 | (5.1) | 3.0 | | Last 3 Games | 1-0 | +1.6 | 1-0 | 0-1 | 20.0 | 10.0 | 334.0 | (5) | 0.0 | 14.0 | 0.0 | 264.0 | (5.1) | 3.0 | | Grass Games | 1-0 | +1.6 | 1-0 | 0-1 | 20.0 | 10.0 | 334.0 | (5) | 0.0 | 14.0 | 0.0 | 264.0 | (5.1) | 3.0 |
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| Offense (All Games) | 20.0 | 10.0 | 19.0 | 35:12 | 33-113 | (3.4) | 24-34 | 70.6% | 221 | (6.5) | 67-334 | (5) | (16.7) | | Opponents Defensive Avg. | 20 | 10 | 19 | 35:12 | 33-113 | (3.4) | 24-34 | 70.6% | 221 | (6.5) | 67-334 | (5) | (16.7) | | Defense (All Games) | 14.0 | 0.0 | 17.0 | 24:48 | 17-102 | (6) | 22-35 | 62.9% | 162 | (4.6) | 52-264 | (5.1) | (18.9) | | Opponents Offensive Avg. | 14 | 0 | 17 | 25:48 | 17-102 | (6) | 22-35 | 62.9% | 162 | (4.6) | 52-264 | (5.1) | (18.9) |
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| Stats For (All Games) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 15-6 | 40.0% | 1-1 | 100.0% | 0-0 | (0) | 3-36 | (12) | 6-55 | | Opponents Avg. Stats Against | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 15-6 | 40.0% | 1-1 | 100.0% | 0-0 | (0) | 36-3 | (12) | 6-55 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 2.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 | | 12-6 | 50.0% | 0-0 | 0.0% | 2-52 | (26) | 4-56 | (14) | 3-15 | | Opponents Avg. Stats For | 2 | 1 | 3 | | 12-6 | 50.0% | 0-0 | 0.0% | 2-52 | (26) | 56-4 | (14) | 3-15 |
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| | Average power rating of opponents played: DETROIT 15, CAROLINA 16 |
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| 9/8/2014 | NY GIANTS | 35-14 | W | -6.5 | W | 45.5 | O | 30-76 | 22-32-341 | 0 | 22-53 | 18-33-144 | 2 | | 9/14/2014 | @ CAROLINA | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 9/21/2014 | GREEN BAY | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 9/28/2014 | @ NY JETS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/5/2014 | BUFFALO | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/12/2014 | @ MINNESOTA | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| 9/7/2014 | @ TAMPA BAY | 20-14 | W | 4.5 | W | 39 | U | 33-113 | 24-34-221 | 0 | 17-102 | 22-35-162 | 3 | | 9/14/2014 | DETROIT | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 9/21/2014 | PITTSBURGH | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 9/28/2014 | @ BALTIMORE | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/5/2014 | CHICAGO | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/12/2014 | @ CINCINNATI | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| |  | DETROIT: New offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi will call the plays, and he has said that he's essentially bringing the Saints' playbook to Detroit. That should mean a diverse running game that borrows concepts from across the league. Reggie Bush will likely retain his spot atop the Lions' backfield committee, as Detroit still figures to be a pass- first offense. Joique Bell has the size and power skill set to be an asset on the inside zone runs that figure to be heavily featured this season. Bush and Bell often split the red-zone snaps a year ago, though the more durable Bell more often gets the call on the goal line.
The Lions figure to be pass-happy as usual under Lombardi and new head coach Jim Caldwell. They'll continue to move Calvin Johnson around the formation to keep teams from keying on him. Golden Tate will provide a deep threat on the other side of the field, and the Lions will frequently use the screen game with Bush and Bell. They also figure to use two tight ends more often than three-wide. TE Brandon Pettigrew is more of an in-line blocker and underneath threat, while rookie TE Eric Ebron is the chess piece who will be flexed out to create mismatches. He could be the No. 2 target by the season's second half. Not surprisingly, Johnson is almost always their first look when they throw near the goal line. Coverage often dictates if they'll look elsewhere. Pettigrew had been a traditional play-action target under the old regime, and he and Ebron are red-zone threats.
After posting a mere 39 turnovers and 67 sacks in the past two years combined, new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin was hired in the offseason to help this team make more plays with his ultra- aggressive style. New starters, safety James Ihedigbo and rookie linebacker Kyle Van Noy should help an underachieving front four. | | CAROLINA: The Panthers will remain one of the NFL's most run-heavy teams, employing a diverse number of looks in their ground attack. They still utilize a lot of zone-read plays featuring Cam Newton, who will likely lead all quarterbacks in rushing attempts again despite offseason ankle surgery. They run a lot of two-back looks with DeAngelo Williams and Mike Tolbert on the field, giving them three running options between the tackles. Williams will likely hold off the injury-prone Jonathan Stewart for another year, with Kenjon Barner and rookie Tyler Gaffney battling for a roster spot.
Newton and offensive coordinator Mike Shula have their work cut out for them in the passing game after losing their top three receivers. The Carolina passing game works off of the running game, utilizing a lot of deep crossing patterns off play-action. They'll use a two- tight end base, with Ed Dickson playing in-line and Greg Olsen flexed out as their top receiving threat. Jerricho Cotchery provides another middle-of-the-field threat. Rookie Kelvin Benjamin takes over as the primary deep threat and can count on seeing the ball any time he's in single coverage. When they throw in the red zone, Olsen has always been Newton's favorite red-zone target, but Benjamin will surely take on a big role near the goal line, as he did at Florida State. Third receiver Jason Avant is better as a perimeter blocking presence than a pass-catcher at this point.
This defense became elite last year, finishing second in the NFL in both scoring defense and total defense, thanks to a league-best 60 sacks. The Panthers upgraded the secondary with CB Antoine Cason, SS Roman Harper and FS Thomas DeCoud. |
| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER PRO FOOTBALL PREVIEW (DETROIT-CAROLINA) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Lions-Panthers Preview* ========================
By KEVIN CHROUST STATS Writer
The Carolina Panthers survived their first game without Cam Newton, but earning another win in Week 2 with him might prove to be the more difficult task.
After missing the opener with a rib injury, the Panthers' two-time Pro Bowl quarterback will return Sunday as the team hosts the Detroit Lions, who turned in one of Week 1's most impressive defensive performances.
"It's great to be out there grinding with the entire team and not have any restraints," Newton said after participating fully in Wednesday's practice.
The Panthers, who won their final seven regular-season home games in 2013, haven't started 2-0 since 2008.
They're in position to do so again after Sunday's 20-14 road win over Tampa Bay. Derek Anderson filled in for Newton with a clean 24-of-34 performance with 230 yards and two touchdowns.
Newton, who coach Ron Rivera admitted wasn't happy about being sidelined last week, had a front-row seat to watch rookie Kelvin Benjamin's debut. The 6-foot-5 receiver caught six passes for 92 yards and a score from Anderson, while tight end Greg Olsen caught the other TD as part of an eight-catch, 83-yard day.
Olsen's reception total has climbed in each of his three seasons with Newton, and along with Benjamin provides the quarterback with some size to target.
Rivera, though, expects more complete games from Benjamin as he progresses.
"He did a lot of good things and was very productive, but that doesn't speak to the whole body," Rivera told the team's official website. "His grade should have been higher. He's got to understand how to finish plays, how to be involved in plays even if the ball isn't coming to him. He's a young guy that has to learn those things."
The Panthers managed three takeaways, continuing the trend after finishing tied for third in the league with a plus-14 turnover margin last season.
It came as no surprise to Lions coach Jim Caldwell, who heaped plenty of praise on a Carolina defense that didn't allow more than 20 points at home last season.
"Their front four is a talented group," Caldwell said. "And they have possibly one of the best middle linebackers in all of football (in Luke Kuechly). The guy is active. He is a great quarterback for their defense. He's crafty, he'll hit you, and he has great ball skills. Overall, it's a really good defense, and we'll have to get ourselves ready to go."
Newton might remember his only career game against the Lions going poorly with a career-high four interceptions in a 49-35 loss Nov. 20, 2011.
Detroit also caused some problems for the New York Giants in Monday's 35-14 home win, limiting them to 197 yards - a total the Detroit defense had bettered just twice in the previous eight seasons.
The Lions' plus-2 turnover margin last week had to come as a relief for everyone who was around for last season's collapse. Detroit posted a minus-11 mark during a 1-6 stretch that cost them the NFC North.
Matthew Stafford and top target Calvin Johnson connected for two first-quarter scores as Johnson finished with seven catches for 164 yards. Stafford went 22 of 32 for 346 yards and two TDs to welcome Caldwell in smooth fashion.
"Matthew did a tremendous job, in terms of making good decisions. You saw him spread the ball around quite a bit," said Caldwell, whose QB threw five TDs in the 2011 meeting, the only one of his career with Carolina. "He did a nice job of not forcing the ball. He did take some check-downs that ended up being pretty sizable plays for us. He got us into the right plays.
"He managed the game well when we wanted to eat the clock, and he sped up the tempo when we wanted to do that. He threw the ball accurately."
Running the ball was a bit more of a struggle as the team averaged 2.5 yards per carry on 30 attempts, though that could have had plenty to do with in-game injuries to the offensive line.
The Lions' depleted front took a hit with tackle Corey Hilliard landing on injured reserve Wednesday with a Lisfranc injury that will require surgery. He played through the injury Monday after fellow tackle LaAdrian Waddle was lost in the first quarter with a calf injury. Waddle is yet to return to practice.
Detroit added depth Wednesday with the signing of offensive lineman Garrett Reynolds, who has played the last four seasons with Atlanta.
The secondary was also depleted with nickel cornerback Bill Bentley being lost for the season due to a torn ACL.
Game Notes: |
| | Last Updated: 4/18/2024 6:29:02 PM EST. |
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