Panthers beat Lions 37-23 on record-setting day
Posted December 24, 2022 2:23 p.m. EST
Updated December 24, 2022 5:58 p.m. EST
Charlotte, N.C. — Win and you're in.
That's the mantra for the Carolina Panthers in their final three games of the season. Saturday's final home game of the regular season against the Detroit Lions was the coldest home game in team history at 20 degrees at kick off.
It was also a record setting day in yards. The Panthers gained the most total yards and most rushing yards in a single game. 570 and 320 respectively. Panthers win 37-23.
The Panthers received first and to no surprise, went all run in their first drive. Chuba Hubbard had a 30 yard run, followed by a 35 yard run to get the drive started. Three plays later, Raheem Blackshear scored on a seven yard run to give Carolina a 7-0 lead.
The Lions gained nothing on their first two plays of the ensuing drive, but then Jared Goff connected with DJ Chark on a 39 yard pass play on 3rd &10. Goff ended the drive, connected with tight end Shane Zylstra on a three yard pass to tie the game at 7 apiece.
The Lions drove the ball 83 yards on their next drive to get inside the Panthers 10 yard line when Goff fumbled a snap which was recovered by Panthers defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos in the second quarter.
The Panthers continued their running ways after the turnover. A D'Onta Foreman 38 yard rush and a Sam Darnold 13 yard rush became the fourth and fifth running play of over 10 yards for the Panthers. Darnold scored the three yard touchdown to make it 14-7 Panthers.
The Panthers defense forced a three-and-out on Detroit's next drive and then the Panthers offense took over again.
Darnold connected with Terrace Marshall for 36 yards followed by another 21 yard run from Foreman. Foreman capped off the drive with a four yard touchdown run to give the Panthers the 21-7 lead.
Carolina's offense gained 240 yards on the ground in the first half, 191 on seven runs alone. Hubbard and Foreman became the first Panthers tandem to each run for over 100 yards in one half. Plus, the Panthers set a new franchise record for yards in a half at 364.
The second half started off similar to the first: for the Panthers. The defense forced a three-and-out, followed by a touchdown drive for the offense.
Darnold connected with DJ Moore for 47 yards to the Lions 5 yard line to keep their first drive of the second half alive. Moore scored on a five yard catch soon after to extend the lead for the Panthers. 31-7.
The Lions finally showed some life on the ensuing drive. Goff hit Kalif Raymond for 56 yards to the Panthers 15. Zylstra caught the seven yard touchdown pass four plays later. Panthers linebacker Frankie Luvu sniffed out the play and got a tackle for loss on the Lions two-point attempt. 31-13 Panthers.
The Panthers are now 6-9 this season.
This article will be replaced by an AP report when available.
