The Carolina Panthers did quite a bit to move into playoff contention.
The Detroit Lions have done even more. While their playoff prospects don’t necessarily look quite as bright, there’s still a solid chance to reach the postseason.
The prospects for both teams hinge heavily on the outcome of Saturday afternoon’s matchup in Charlotte, N.C.
The Lions (7-7) are 6-1 in their last seven games, but their only path to the playoffs will come via a wild card.
The Panthers (5-9) are assured a fifth consecutive losing regular season. However, they’re just one game out of first place in the NFC South, trailing the 6-8 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and tied with the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons.
“Our focus right now is on the Detroit Lions and the Detroit Lions only,” Panthers interim coach Steve Wilks said.
In pumping up Carolina’s physicality, Lions coach Dan Campbell admitted concern that his team avoids putting too much stock in what happened to the Panthers on Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers pushed them around in a 24-16 decision.
“They’re going to try to bully us,” Campbell said of the Panthers. “We have to be able to absorb it and answer back.”
While Carolina has demonstrated a punishing rushing attack, it doesn’t always work out that way. The Panthers rushed for 21 yards against Pittsburgh for the team’s fifth-lowest total in franchise history.
Detroit, which has a three-game winning streak, has done a good job along the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. The Lions have protected quarterback Jared Goff, allowing just 19 sacks to tie for the fewest in the NFL this season.
The Lions are finding various ways to win, perhaps coming from their improved mindset.
“We fully believe in each other and just know somebody’s going to make a play to do something right,” Goff said.
Detroit’s defense has set the tone for much of the team’s success the past couple of months.
“They fly around, especially these last few games,” Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold said of Detroit’s defense. “It’s going to be a really tough challenge for us.”
Carolina’s offense has been spotty even as it appears to be settling in with Darnold at quarterback.
“We’ve got to rely on your instincts and just play ball out there,” he said.
Saturday’s game might be played in record cold conditions for Charlotte, where the temperature might not reach 30 degrees. And considering that the Lions play home games in an indoor stadium, there’s no clear advantage for the NFC North team.
“It’s football weather, definitely in December,” Panthers running back D’Onta Foreman said. “Looking forward to it.”
The Panthers practiced outdoors Tuesday in frigid conditions.
“We’ve got to be outside (for the game), so that’s the reason why we were out there,” Wilks said. “We don’t let (weather conditions) get in the way.”
Both teams have concerns regarding the health of their secondaries.
The Lions are likely to be without starting safety DeShon Elliott because of a shoulder injury sustained Sunday against the New York Jets.
“As of right now,” Campbell said Tuesday, “it doesn’t look very promising.”
Panthers cornerback C.J. Henderson, who went out early in Sunday’s loss to Pittsburgh with an ankle injury, was a full participant in Tuesday’s practice. Cornerback Jaycee Horn was limited Tuesday with an ailing shoulder, but it’s expected he’ll play Saturday.
“I’m trying to beat the Lions,” Horn said, dismissing any other distractions.
–Field Level Media
