Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions must get ground game going with D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams in order to beat Carolina Panthers.

[Aaron Glenn's](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/predictions-lions-panthers) unit has a solid shot of being stout against the run once again in this Week 16 tilt. [Johnson](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/predictions-lions-panthers) told reporters Wednesday. [Swift](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/predictions-lions-panthers), meanwhile, has fared better the last three weeks, averaging 4.8 yards a carry. [Williams](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/predictions-lions-panthers) hasn't rushed for more than 37 yards in each of Detroit's last three games. Jets, Swift and Williams combined for under 90 yards (85), and failed to find the end zone (on 21 total carries). It's time to get the ground game back on track. [Ben Johnson](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/predictions-lions-panthers) get [D'Andre Swift](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/predictions-lions-panthers) and [Jamaal Williams](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/predictions-lions-panthers) involved early and often. [Lions'](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/predictions-lions-panthers) Week 15 contest with the N.Y. [Decker](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/predictions-lions-panthers) and [Detroit's](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/predictions-lions-panthers) offensive line, the team's strongest positional group in 2022, will be up for the challenge. [Panthers'](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/predictions-lions-panthers) defense is through running the football. [Detroit](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/predictions-lions-panthers) must do against the Panthers. [Detroit Lions](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/predictions-lions-panthers) (7-7) have a chance to win their fourth straight game when they take on the [Carolina Panthers](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/predictions-lions-panthers) (5-9) Saturday.

Yes, it's meaningful Detroit Lions football not only in December, but deep into December and technically January, too! Okay, now here's the hard part. With ...

You can comment during the first half of the game in the section below, and when the game hits halftime, be on the lookout for our Lions vs. So sit back, take a Xanax and root like hell for the Lions to continue this magical run. Even if they lose this game to the [Carolina Panthers](https://www.catscratchreader.com/), they’ll host a game next week with their playoff hopes still very much alive.

As you fill out betslips for Week 16 NFL action, here are three best bets for the Detroit Lions against the Carolina Panthers.

Double-digit targets is well in play, and until the books adjust this 6.5-catch bet it will be an over bet to smash. Brown may see a little bit of Horn on Saturday, but otherwise he’ll see favorable matchups in the slot against far less talents. Brown begs for over bets. Chark may only need two or three catches to get to 34 yards and clear this over. Reed, with one catch for 18 yards on two targets. The Lions

Analyzing Saturday's Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers odds and lines, with expert NFL picks, predictions and best bets.

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Tim Twentyman reports on inactives for Saturday's Lions-Panthers matchup.

The team also elevated safety Brady Breeze from the practice squad for today's contest. He has 39 tackles (24 solo), three tackles for loss and a sack in 12 games. Elliott injured his shoulder in the third quarter of last week's win over the Jets and did not return. Moore and Ifeatu Melifonwu could see reps in his place alongside Barnes has been rotating into the lineup with rookie Barnes has missed Detroit's last two games while rehabbing a knee injury suffered Week 13 vs.

Sam Darnold and the Carolina Panthers (5-9) welcome Jared Goff and the surging Detroit Lions (7-7) in an NFL Week 16 matchup live on Fox.

A look at the NFL’s new streaming service](https://www.oregonlive.com/nfl/2022/08/how-to-watch-nfl-plus-what-is-it-what-does-the-nfl-streaming-service-cost-and-premium-plan-include-every-preseason-game-for-starters.html) If you already have a cable provider, use your login information to sign in and watch on [Fox Sports Live](https://www.foxsports.com/live). [this Gesobyte brand HDTV antennae](https://www.amazon.com/LATEST-Amplified-Digital-Antenna-Miles/dp/B07XQLW1H7/?ots=1&slotNum=0&imprToken=b4c1829e-bbf8-5114-bd4&tag=advanceoregon-20&linkCode=w50) is currently the top selling HDTV antennae product on Amazon. If you need to get one, • [What is NFL Plus? It [goes for under $30 and ships quickly with Prime](https://www.amazon.com/LATEST-Amplified-Digital-Antenna-Miles/dp/B07XQLW1H7/?ots=1&slotNum=1&imprToken=b4c1829e-bbf8-5114-bd4&tag=advanceoregon-20&linkCode=w50). Sam Darnold and the Carolina Panthers (5-9) welcome Jared Goff and the surging Detroit Lions (7-7) in NFL Week 16. If the Panthers win out, they’ll win the NFC South. Detroit has won six of its last seven and is a half-game behind Washington in the race for the final wild card berth. • You can

The Detroit Lions, led by quarterback Jared Goff, meet the Carolina Panthers, led by quarterback Sam Darnold, in an NFL Week 16 NFC football game on ...

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Find out how to watch, live stream or TV channel and game time information for the Week 16 matchup between the Carolina Panthers and the Detroit Lions.

Takeaways (Rank) Turnovers (Rank) 14 (28) 14 (3) (Rank) Panthers: CB C.J. 170.6 (30) 117.5 (17) 126.1 (14) 341.7 (17) 398.5 (31) 288.1 (30)

Detroit Lions game time Saturday, TV channel info, radio, score, live updates and analysis as they play the Carolina Panthers.

But on a fourth-and-5 from the Carolina 7-yard line, Panthers safety Xavier Woods laid the boom on Lions receiver Josh Reynolds to break up what would have been ...

A large chunk of that output came on the ground, as they rushed for another franchise record 320 yards. Down 34-13, Detroit went for one last gasp with just over 13 minutes left in the game. But they got one, and they got it in a big way.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- It's no accident only one team has ever come back from a 1-6 start to make the playoffs. It's just so hard to operate for so long with so ...

Now nearing the end of his second season in Detroit, you have to wonder whether Melifonwu even has a future in this defense. The Lions had just scored a touchdown to climb within 31-13, and even got a rare run stop to put Carolina in a long-distance situation. Then they ran out of the tunnel for the second half, and left tackle Taylor Decker was beaten for a sack on a three-and-out. Williams just isn’t on the same page with Goff and the offense, and at this point, you have to wonder if it’ll happen at all until 2023. The problem is Carolina needed just 59 seconds to go 73 yards and boot a field goal that stretched its lead to 24-7. And if you watched that defense play in the first half of the season, you can understand just how bad it was at U.S.Bank Stadium. Carolina needed just eight plays to go 91 yards in the other direction for a go-ahead touchdown, with a 38-yard run by D’Onta Foreman the difference. But there was a sloppy exchange with center Frank Ragnow near the 10-yard line, and Carolina pounced on the loose ball. And they didn’t waste any time rolling up their sleeves and getting to work, allowing 65 yards on the first two plays of the game alone. It’s just so hard to operate for so long with so little margin for error in the league. Detroit hasn’t been ripped like this on the ground since allowing 328 yards in a 1998 game against the San Francisco 49ers. The 2022 Detroit Lions aren’t dead yet with two games left, although their margin for error was zeroed out by a 37-23 massacre on Christmas Eve against the Carolina Panthers.

The goals for the 2022 edition of the Lions are now simple, win and the chances of earning a playoff berth are within reach. After winning three straight games, ...

Brown ](https://www.si.com/nfl/team/detroit-lions/roster)broke the record at 23 years and 61 days old. [Lions](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-fans-week-16-rooting-guide)' offense was quickly able to respond, as Jared Goff marched the team down the field on its first possession. [Calvin Johnson](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions) previously held the record, which was established at 23 years, 69 days old. [Panthers](https://www.si.com/nfl/panthers) were known to be a team that was one dimensional. The Panthers then again took advantage of Detroit's rush defense on their third offensive possession, to go ahead, 14-7. [Panthers](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions) set a team record with 364 total yards in the first half, including 240 yards on the ground. [defense](https://www.si.com/nfl/team/detroit-lions/depth) had already given up 164 yards on the ground. [Detroit](https://www.si.com/nfl/team/detroit-lions/roster) featured one of the youngest rosters in the entire league. [ takeaways ](https://www.si.com/nfl/team/detroit-lions/roster)from the Lions' 37-23 loss to the Panthers. [Detroit](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-fans-week-16-rooting-guide) struggled with executing fundamentals, even fumbling an exchange between [Jared Goff ](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-fans-week-16-rooting-guide)and center Frank Ragnow. [ Lions ](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-fans-week-16-rooting-guide)are now simple, win and the chances of earning a [playoff](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions) berth are within reach. [Detroit](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-fans-week-16-rooting-guide) (7-8) will next take the field on New Year's Day to face the Chicago Bears.

The Detroit Lions laid an egg on Christmas Eve, with a truly pitiful performance against the Carolina Panthers. Here's our report card for the game.

But a lot of the production came in garbage time, so it isn’t worth much. All three were down near the goal line, and Zylstra was able to give Goff an open target. It happened four times, three in the first half. So as the Lions fall flat on their face heading into Christmas, let’s take a look back at what went wrong in Carolina. In every facet of play, the Lions were completely dominated by a mediocre opponent. The Lions regressed severely in every way, looking much more like their early season form that brought a 1-6 start.

The Detroit Lions were the darlings of the NFL for the past few weeks, now they are the butt of many jokes after their loss to the Carolina Panthers.

All of the momentum the Lions had built up in winning six of their last seven games fall to ashes like cinder inside the fireplace, Lions fans, along with the sporting public was there to react accordingly. OK, so maybe we can't blame the Lions for this all together. [By game's end, the Lions had laid a massive lump of coal losing 37-23](https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2022/12/24/detroit-lions-nfl-carolina-panthers/69755091007/), reverting to their pre-November form that saw them stumble and crawl to a 1-6 start.

FINAL: Carolina Panthers 37, Detroit Lions 23. Fourth quarter. :36 -- Carolina Panthers drive starts on Detroit's 44. 1:51 -- Detroit Lions drive starts on ...

Panthers 29th [DVOA ](https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/nfl/team-efficiency/2022/regular)defensive ranking: Lions 23rd They’ll have to win another on the road, with a crucial matchup against the Carolina Panthers (5-9) in Week 16 action. Panthers 28th [DVOA ](https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/nfl/team-efficiency/2022/regular)offensive ranking: Lions 6th Brown open on the slant, and Goff fires it to him for the first down. Oh my, Sam Darnold, pitches to Blackshear on the option for the 7-yard touchdown. The Panthers have 534 total yards on the day. First-and-10 at Detroit’s 35-yard line -- clean slant to Smith, and the Panthers call a timeout with six seconds left here in the first half. Lions avoid a third-and-11, with defensive pass interference coming to the rescue. Panthers run for a short gain, let the clock roll run no-huddle, though -- another big run for Hubbard. Darnold to Shenault for 43 yards, and the Panthers aren’t letting up. Foreman has 165 yards, Hubbard has 116 and Darnold has 20 on the ground. Lions make the 34-yard field goal Panthers 37, Lions 23

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) before a NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday, December 24, 2022 in Charlotte, NC. (Jeff Nguyen ...

It was a chance for the Lions to take a 14-7 lead or at the very least go up 10-7 with a field goal. He rushed for 20 yards and a touchdown. He finished 15-of-22 passing for 250 yards with a touchdown, no interceptions and a 121.4 rating. QB comparison: Goff finished the game with good numbers, completing 25 of his 42 pass attempts for 355 yards with three touchdowns, no interceptions and a 110.7 passer rating. The Panthers recorded explosive runs of 38, 35, 30, 21 (twice) and 17 yards on the ground in the first half alone. The Panthers went 91 yards from there in eight plays finished off by quarterback Sam Darnold's 3-yard run.

Carolina's offense featured two running backs with more than 100 yards on the day, with a franchise record 320 rushing yards powering its attack. D'Onta Foreman ...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Detroit Lions could have climbed into the playoff field on Christmas Eve with a win in Carolina, plus losses by Seattle and ...

[they didn’t come close to doing that](https://www.mlive.com/lions/2022/12/dan-campbell-doesnt-hold-back-we-werent-physically-mentally-or-emotionally-ready.html), and now must find immediate solutions for a run defense that just got pancaked while the hottest running quarterback in the league waits on deck. So the Lions also need to gain one game here to punch their ticket to the postseason. A season finale between the Lions and Packers with a trip to the playoffs at stake is possible. They control their destiny over Detroit and everyone else, but also look vulnerable if the Lions can win out. They also are winless in their last three games and can’t decide whether Taylor Heinicke or Carson Wentz is their quarterback. They’re still virtually assured a spot in the field, but also look like an early out. The good news is all the teams Detroit wanted to lose, did. One more loss, and their chances would be no higher than 6%. The Green Bay Packers (6-8) have also won three times in five weeks to close within a half-game of Detroit and Seattle, and would pull even with a win on Christmas Day in Miami. The Lions very much did not in a 37-23 loss against the Panthers. Detroit certainly blew an opportunity to gain ground in a crowded NFC field, but on the flip side, didn’t lose precious ground either with just two weeks left in the season. “You got to take those punches and move on,” rookie pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson said.

The Detroit Lions were the darlings of the NFL for the past few weeks, now they are the butt of many jokes after their loss to the Carolina Panthers.

CHARLOTTE — Dan Campbell shook his head back and forth, never changing the look of disappointment on his face. The Detroit Lions turned in their worst defensive performance of the season Saturday, allowing 320 yards rushing — their most in 24 years ...

The Detroit Lions (7-8) were run all over on Christmas Eve, losing 37-23 to the Carolina Panthers (6-9) and their dominating rushing attack in Week 16.

[StubHub](https://go.skimresources.com?id=126006X1587345&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stubhub.com%2Fdetroit-lions-tickets%2Fperformer%2F6048%2F), [SeatGeek](https://go.skimresources.com?id=126006X1587345&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fseatgeek.com%2Fdetroit-lions-tickets), [Ticketmaster](https://go.skimresources.com?id=126006X1587345&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2Fdetroit-lions-tickets%2Fartist%2F805936) The Lions had no rushing attack, with quarterback Jared Goff’s 15 yards leading the team on the ground. See below for MLive Detroit Lions beat writer Ben Raven’s video breakdown and more headlines after Detroit’s ugly loss. Detroit’s offense had 22 first downs, with only three coming on the ground. [fuboTV](https://www.fubo.tv/lp/football/?bgvideo=nfl.mp4&title=Live%20Football.%20Stream%20and%20DVR.&priceline=*Regional%20and%20mobile%20restrictions%20apply&cta=Get%207-Day%20Free%20Trial%20Now&irad=356362&irmp=1810040), [Hulu + Live](https://go.skimresources.com?id=126006X1587345&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hulu.com%2Flive-tv), [Sling](https://go.skimresources.com?id=126006X1587345&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sling.com%2Fpm%2Fnfl%3F%26matchtype%3De%26campaign%3DNB_ACQ_SPORT_NFLGeneralxxx_SEA_CPAx_XXX_COUSA_EN_EN_D_SLGD_GO_SE_TXT_NFLGeneral%26group%3DNFL_Stream%26cvo_keyword%3Dnfl%2520streaming%26NS%3D1%26utm_medium%3Dcpc%26utm_source%3Dgoogle%26utm_campaign%3DNB_ACQ_SPORT_NFLGeneralxxx_SEA_CPAx_XXX_COUSA_EN_EN_D_SLGD_GO_SE_TXT_NFLGeneral%26utm_term%3Dnfl%2520streaming%26matchtype%3De%26gclid%3DEAIaIQobChMI3NnQl4-I5AIV0iCtBh2CbABrEAAYAyAAEgLpd_D_BwE%26gclsrc%3Daw.ds) [Fanatics](https://go.skimresources.com?id=126006X1587345&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fanatics.com%2Fnfl%2Fdetroit-lions%2Fo-1338%2Bt-47044664%2Bz-90237-4014413019%3F_s%3Dgppc95%26_p%3D10413%26utm_campaign%3DNFL%2520-%2520Keyword%2520Parity%2520-%2520Detroit%2520Lions%7C933093515%26utm_medium%3Dppc%26ks_id%3D6250_kw62052971%26utm_term%3Ddetroit%2520lions%2520fanatics%26matchtype%3De%26utm_source%3Dg%26target%3Daud-321583199229%3Akwd-311105162143%26pcrid%3D222129221666%26adposition%3D1t1%26gclid%3DEAIaIQobChMIqfDg8IqI5AIVzR-tBh3kQwaYEAAYASAAEgJ6MPD_BwE), [NFL Shop](https://www.nflshop.com/detroit-lions/t-36377931+z-9432566-482725144), [Amazon](https://amzn.to/2U3FUqk), [Lids](https://go.skimresources.com?id=126006X1587345&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lids.com%2Fnfl-detroit-lions%2Fo-4605%2Bt-25379197%2Bz-93616-86652566) The Panthers ran for a franchise-record 320 yards after gaining a franchise-record 364 total yards in the first half. And on the other side of the ball? Missed tackles and a lack of push from the trenches doomed Detroit’s defense in Charlotte. [Instant observations: Christmas Eve massacre puts the Lions’ season on the brink](https://www.mlive.com/lions/2022/12/instant-observations-christmas-eve-massacre-puts-the-lions-season-on-the-brink.html) [Lions can’t stop Carolina’s ground game in 37-23 loss: Live updates recap](https://www.mlive.com/lions/2022/12/live-updates-lions-try-to-keep-hot-streak-rolling-against-panthers-in-week-16.html) Jamaal Williams was held to only 11 yards on seven carries.

The Lions missed a perfect opportunity to jump into a playoff spot, but their postseason hopes aren't dead yet.

the Panthers. They’re essentially just a half-game out of a playoff spot, needing to jump two teams for a spot in the playoffs. That’s the bad news. Their 37-23 loss to the [Carolina Panthers](https://www.catscratchreader.com/) have stopped playoff talk in its tracks. Several teams failed to use this opportunity to gain—or extend—ground on the Lions, meaning Detroit’s playoff hopes are still very much alive going into the final two games of the season. [Detroit Lions](https://www.prideofdetroit.com/) didn’t do the one thing they needed to do: take care of their own business.

His lowest moment served as the momentum-changer, as he lost a fumble after a bad snap deep in the Carolina red zone. The Panthers turned the score into a ...

[Brock Wright](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-lose-to-panthers-poor-defense) and [James Mitchell](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-lose-to-panthers-poor-defense) also contributed as receivers. [Alex Anzalone](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-lose-to-panthers-poor-defense) and [Malcolm Rodriguez](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-lose-to-panthers-poor-defense) combined for 10 tackles, but struggled to make the big stops against the likes of [D’Onta Foreman](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-lose-to-panthers-poor-defense) and Hubbard. Brown](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-lose-to-panthers-poor-defense) and [DJ Chark](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-lose-to-panthers-poor-defense) both had solid games. [Aaron Glenn](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-lose-to-panthers-poor-defense) couldn’t make any successful adjustments after Carolina’s touchdown drive to start the game. Carolina’s off-tackle scheme dominated the Lions, as the youth of [Detroit's](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-lose-to-panthers-poor-defense) tackles and ends were exploited. [Detroit Lions](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-lose-to-panthers-poor-defense) were dominated in every way, shape and form Saturday by the [Carolina Panthers](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-lose-to-panthers-poor-defense). Joseph committed a defensive holding penalty in the second quarter, and missed multiple tackles as Saturday turned out to be among his worst performances as a rookie. Brown](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-lose-to-panthers-poor-defense), meanwhile, led the team in receptions, with seven for 75 yards. [Jameson Williams](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-lose-to-panthers-poor-defense) was once again not a factor, as his snap count was limited. [Kalif Raymond](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-lose-to-panthers-poor-defense), meanwhile, hauled in a 56-yard pass to set up the Lions’ second score. However, the offense failed to keep the momentum, as it sputtered for most of the afternoon. [Carolina](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-lose-to-panthers-poor-defense) rushed for 320 yards, including 240 in the first half.

The windchill was below zero until moments before kickoff, and the field was frozen to dangerous levels according to Lions players.

“I don’t want to make any excuses, but the playing surface was -- something should be done about that,” receiver DJ Chark said. It got better as the game went on, but pregame it was in no condition to be played on. “I know it warmed up a bit as the game went on, but I don’t know what the deal is here. They just didn’t play especially well in the brutal conditions. You said it was the coldest game (here), so maybe it has something to do with that. “I didn’t think that was actually legal to play on. But that doesn’t change the condition of the field, which Lions players said was below NFL standards. The Lions were hammered by 15 points in Carolina, so obviously the field conditions did not impact the result of the game. But, I mean, it was very concrete-like for sure.” Warming up, you’re trying to turn the corner, and literally in warmups, I fell in my first one-on-one rep right on my face. But he still hasn’t gotten in a full week of practice all year because of the toe pain. “Yeah, that field was tough,” Ragnow told MLive.

CHARLOTTE – Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell had few answers after Saturday's loss as to why his team, with so much on the line making a playoff push ...

[DJ Chark](https://www.detroitlions.com/team/players-roster/dj-chark-jr/)recorded four receptions for 108 yards in the loss. He was eventually replaced by [Mike Hughes](https://www.detroitlions.com/team/players-roster/mike-hughes/) in the second half. [Jeff Okudah](https://www.detroitlions.com/team/players-roster/jeff-okudah/)'s better games. He's pretty sticky in man coverage and he's a good corner. He can come in and squeezes on the run. "We just needed to get Mike in there," Campbell said. With Saturday's loss, Detroit's essentially in a must-win situation the next two weeks against Chicago and Green Bay. Brown has become arguably the biggest steal of that draft class. This is the NFL any team can get beat any game any day. The Panthers were coming off a loss to Pittsburgh last week and have playoff aspirations of their own with a chance to win the NFC South. [Isaiah Buggs](https://www.detroitlions.com/team/players-roster/isaiah-buggs/) said after the game. "That's a hard pill to swallow.

The Detroit Lions used Mike Hughes at CB after Jeff Okudah gave up a long pass to DJ Moore early in the third quarter.

CB Jeff Okudah: Okudah has had a nice season, especially coming off the ruptured Achilles he suffered last September, but he hasn’t been the lockdown corner some Lions fans have made him out to be, and he was benched most of Saturday’s second half after a rough series of plays. Anzalone got stuck on blocks on runs of 38 yards by Foreman and 33 yards by Hubbard in the first half and missed two tackles on Laviska Shenault on one play late in the game. Panthers running backs D’Onte Foreman (165 yards) and Chuba Hubbard (125 yards) both had career days, and the Lions allowed a whopping seven runs of 20-plus yards. Coverage specialists don’t get much recognition, and on a day when the Lions didn’t have many standouts, it feels right to mention Woods for his performance. He finished with five catches for 26 yards, and the Lions tight ends — Zylstra, Brock Wright and James Mitchell — now have seven touchdowns in the eight games since the T.J. The Lions will have to think hard about re-signing him this offseason, even with Jameson Williams waiting in the wings.

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said his team wasn't physically, mentally or emotionally ready. And it's hard to argue with that after looking back on ...

And on the offensive side of the ball? But this was a troubling, unacceptable performance for a team trying to sneak into the postseason. The Panthers have had one of the least explosive and efficient offenses since the get. Linebackers: On top of that, the Panthers gashed the Lions for seven runs of more than 10 yards. And with Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears up next, this group needs to get back on track quickly. Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold had the team’s linebackers on their heels with the zone-read and play-action calls. Offensive line: Derrick Brown, Brian Burns and the Panthers won the key matchups in the trenches. Zylstra also missed a key block on the two-point try, but that was a doomed play. The Lions moved the chains only three times on the ground. Goff stood there and took shots until the end, with the Panthers getting called for two roughing the passers in the final minutes. But he got back on the board by catching two passes for 31 yards. On Christmas Eve, Goff led the Lions in rushing with 15 yards.

Unfortunately for Dan Campbell and company, they couldn't take advantage. The Carolina Panthers ran roughshod over the Lions defense en route to a 37-23 win on ...

Yet, he couldn’t get the job done Saturday as the [Panthers](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions) were unstoppable for most of the afternoon. Though Buggs did finish with six tackles, he failed to log a stop for loss. [New York Giants](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions), Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders gave the Detroit Lions an opportunity to climb into the NFC playoff picture ahead of their final two [games](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/grades-lions-defense-flops). The total tripled that of his career, as he’d logged just one touchdown in his career entering the game. All three of his catches came on short throws. Later in that opening drive of the second half, Okudah was beaten on third-and-13 for a 47-yard completion from Sam Darnold to D.J. Jacobs also struggled against the run Saturday. Three of those trips came up short, ending in a fumble, a turnover on downs and a late field goal. For all the struggles defensively, Goff and the offense certainly created plenty of opportunities. Carolina scored one play later, extending its lead to 31-7. [Unfortunately](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/grades-lions-defense-flops) for Dan Campbell and company, they couldn’t take advantage. With the loss, the Lions fell to 7-8 and remained on the [outside](https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/grades-lions-defense-flops) of the playoffs looking in with two games remaining.

The Lions defense didn't show up to a pivotal game against the Panthers. So we hand out some not-so-flattering grades.

I’ve talked about our identity for the past couple of weeks, so we know what they want to do, they know who we are and what we want to do. Fair to say, the Lions were not up for the challenge. But with Okudah not at his best, and DeShon Elliott was replaced by an inexperienced (and ineffective) Ifeatu Melifonwu, that was clearly not the play this week. They want to run the football. Nothing about what the Panthers did on Saturday was a surprise. The Panthers had eight rushes of 15+ yards throughout the game. In the first half alone, the Panthers rushed for 240 yards and three touchdowns. We’re just going to lump these two together, because it was on them to hold rushes to 5-10 yards instead of allowing explosive 15+ yard plays on the ground. The Panthers “only” rushed for 80 yards on 21 carries (3.8 YPC) in the final two quarters. Maybe this deserves to go in the coaching section. Even Kalif Raymond got loose in the Panthers secondary for a big 56-yard gain. Brown continues to tough it out, taking a couple of big hits but still holding onto the ball.

After Saturday's action, the Lions are 7-8. So are the Seattle Seahawks, who lost 24-10 to the Chiefs, Seattle's fifth loss in six games. Those two teams are ...

7 seeds (the top seven get in) in the NFC. So are the Seattle Seahawks, who lost 24-10 to the Chiefs, Seattle’s fifth loss in six games. There is a mathematical technicality where the Lions could get in by winning just one of those, but that contrivance seems quite unlikely.

Pro Football Focus had the Lions missing 13 tackles, with Kerby Joseph leading the way (three), followed by Ifeatu Melifonwu (two), Jeff Okudah (two) and ...

Evan Brown -- 3 (10%) Jonah Jackson -- 3 (10%) The Lions leaned on Romeo Okwara (41) much more in his third game back, which cut into Houston’s work. Penei Sewell -- 3 (10%) Kalif Raymond -- 3 (10%) Moore -- 26 (90%) Moore -- 2 (3%) PFF didn’t hit him with a turnover-worthy play, giving him a low fumble grade despite Ragnow taking ownership of the mistake. Harris slotted similarly to those two, missing no tackles, with two catches allowed on four targets for 32 yards. It’s one thing to stop it, but look, here’s the thing -- We did stop it the second series, and then the way we answered back on offense is we turned it over. [The Lions want to control games on the ground. And we knew, we knew going in this was a good team.

The Detroit Lions need at least one loss from two of the Giants, Commanders or Seahawks to make the postseason, even if they win their final 2 games.

It got better as the game went on, certainly, but pregame, it was in no condition to be played on. "I don’t want to make any excuses, but the playing surface was — something should be done about that," Chark said. [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). They would win a head-to-head tie-breaker with the Lions based on conference record. Running back Jamaal Williams left late in Saturday's game with a leg injury. The Giants have an 89% chance to make the playoffs. The Seahawks have the best chance of earning the seventh seed in the NFC, but their chances went from 38% to 32%. Even if they win their remaining regular season games against the Chicago Bears next week and at the Packers in Week 18, they will need at least one loss by two of the New York Giants, Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks to qualify for the postseason. "I don’t know how all of that works right now," defensive tackle Alim McNeill said. [according to FiveThirtyEight.com](https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2022-nfl-predictions/). They host the Indianapolis Colts next week and visit a Philadelphia Eagles team that could be resting its starters in Week 18. Seattle, losers of five of its past six games, closes the season with home games against the New York Jets and Los Angeles Rams.