Detroit Lions Fail In Carolina
By Jeremy T. Ballreich
The Lions traveled to Carolina and look like a team that bought into the media hype surrounding them, and played like they were looking past a team with playoff inspirations. Like they thought it was going to be an easy win. Carolina received the first kickoff and gashed the defense through the A and B gaps due to horrible front 7 play repeatedly throughout the game.
They gave up the most yards on the ground in the first half I have ever seen. 240 yards to Chubba Hubbard, Donta Foreman and Sam frigging Darnold! Poor tackling and interior Dline play. The Defenaive ends were able to shut down the outside runs , for the most part. So the Panthers just stopped trying it.
Only bright spots offensively was Goff the WRs and TE Shane Zylstra (3 Tuddies)! Goff had a good to almost great game. 25/42 355 yards, 3 TDs, and 0 INTs. Only fumble was because of a low snap by Pro Bowler Frank Ragnow. Goff hit quite a few deep passes to Chark and Reynolds. When the Oline actually gave him time to throw. Derrick Brown and Brian Burns were in the backfield so often. I thought they were part of the Lions Backfield.
After 7 weeks of success defensively. This game was big let down, but with losses to the Seahawks, Giants and Commanders. They are still only .5 games out of the playoff race. But they have to play Bully Ball like they had been doing. 2 remaining games and 1 loss can spell playoff chances doom.
The defense cannot play like this in Detroit next week versus Chicago, or the following week in Lambeau. Or this season, while a success overall, or their season is done.
My 3 Hot Players
Shane Zylstra
Jared Goff
DJ Chark
My 3 Cold Players.
The Front 7 on Defense
The Oline
The Running Game
Lions lose horribly and quite possibly the gut punch to wake this team up!
Lions 23
Panthers 37
Thanks For Reading!!!
