The Carolina Panthers move to 2-2 on the season after defeating the Detroit Lions 32-26 on Sunday night at Bank of America Stadium, led by a dominant Tetairoa McMillan and an efficient Bryce Young.
The Panthers used a passing attack that left the Detroit secondary searching for answers during the franchise’s first Sunday Night Football appearance in nearly a decade. Chants of MVP!
rained down from the stands for the quarterback as the offense clicked from the opening whistle.
McMillan Sets Career Highs
Tetairoa McMillan hauled in 14 catches for 192 yards and two touchdowns in his finest outing to date, stepping into an expanded role with teammates sidelined by injuries. The reigning AP offensive rookie of the year was targeted 16 times by Young, surpassing all his previous single-game best figures.
He scored on a 32-yard reception in the second quarter and added a 10-yard scoring grab in the third quarter. Late in the fourth quarter on a third-and-14 situation, McMillan extended at the sideline to secure an 18-yard reception while getting two feet down.
“Everything just clicked tonight.”
Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers wide receiver
McMillan became only the second Panthers player ever to record at least 175 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a single game. He joins Steve Smith Sr., who put up 178 yards and two scores against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1 of the 2011 season.
Young and Hubbard Lead Record Scoring Offense
Quarterback Bryce Young finished 29-of-41 for 329 yards and two touchdowns without committing a single turnover. This brings his franchise record to nine passing touchdowns through the first four games of the season.
Operating alongside Brad Idzik, the unit orchestrated 22 scoring drives over the first four contests—the highest total for the franchise since 2000.
Running back Chuba Hubbard carried the ball 20 times for 122 yards, averaging 6.1 yards per attempt. He punched in two rushing touchdowns, including a 2-yard scoring run late in the third quarter that extended the advantage to 29-19.
Lions Defense Surrenders 445 Yards
The loss dropped Detroit to 2-2. The defense allowed 445 total yards, including 318 net passing yards to Young; through the first four weeks of the season, the Lions have yielded at least 440 yards in three games and are giving up an average of 32 points per contest.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell offered a blunt assessment to reporters after the final whistle, while Darius Slay voiced pointed critiques regarding the unit’s struggles.
“It’s not good enough right now. That’s the bottom line. It’s just not good enough.”
Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions head coach
Quarterback Jared Goff completed 32-of-52 passes for 412 yards and a touchdown, while Jahmyr Gibbs added a rushing score and Isaac TeSlaa contributed a 57-yard reception to set up a red-zone opportunity. Comebacks stalled due to late-game penalties and a turnover on downs deep in Panthers territory with 7:04 remaining, followed by another turnover on downs at the 2:06 mark that sealed the outcome.
The Panthers head into their Week 5 bye before visiting the Philadelphia Eagles on October 18, while the Lions travel to face the Arizona Cardinals on October 11.
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