The Detroit Lions are a tough matchup for any team, let alone the 0-4 Carolina Panthers. Nonetheless, it’s happening for these struggling cats on Sunday—and they’ll have to figure out ways to chop this growing juggernaut down.
Here are four key matchups within the matchup that will help the Panthers do exactly that:
Panthers RT Taylor Moton vs. Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson
Hutchinson missed out on AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2022, finishing second to New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner. Well, it looks like he might’ve taken that personally.
The second-year wrecking ball is making a very early case for this season’s Defensive Player of the Year, as he’s totaled 3.5 sacks and 27 pressures (tied for the most with Micah Parsons and Maxx Crosby) through four outings. Moton will be tasked with slowing Hutchinson down.
Panthers WR Adam Thielen vs. Lions DBs Kerby Joseph and Will Harris
Most of Detroit’s work in the slot work has gone to standout rookie Brian Branch, who’s already been ruled out with an ankle injury. That may leave Thielen with some looks against cornerback Will Harris and safety Kerby Joseph.
With Joseph listed as questionable for the contest, the red-hot vet could see more of Harris—who allowed a 44-yard deep shot to Green Bay Packers rookie Jayden Reed last week. Thielen enters Week 5 having amassed 18 receptions for 221 yards and a score over his last two games.
Oh, and his 16-yard touchdown catch in this summer’s preseason meeting with the Lions came against Harris.
Panthers LB Frankie Luvu vs. Lions RB David Montgomery
Detroit has made no bones about their bread and butter on offense—and Montgomery is certainly the bread. The fifth-year back has bruised his way to a dominant share, as he’s averaged 23 rushing attempts per game over three outings.
With the Lions likely to keep spamming that A button, Luvu—the heart of the Panthers defense—will have to help keep the bulky 225-pound back from wearing out his unit.
Panthers DBs Jeremy Chinn and Vonn Bell vs. Lions TE Sam LaPorta
In addition to Branch, the Lions will also likely be without stud wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown—who is down as doubtful with an abdomen injury. That could leave LaPorta with more opportunities.
The rookie currently leads all tight ends with 242 receiving yards. Chinn and Bell, who have gotten the most looks for Carolina against tight ends thus far, have a shot to cut off another piece of Detroit’s passing game.
