The Panthers certainly had the deck stacked against them when this game started after it was announced that Teddy Bridgewater would not be activated for the game and P.J. Walker would get his first career NFL start. The Panthers ignored the odds and came out strong against the Lions with a first quarter touchdown to take a lead they would never relinquish.
The defense played well throughout the entire game and earned the team’s first shutout since their 38-0 win over the Falcons back in 2015. Matthew Stafford was sacked five times, and the defense took advantage of several back breaking mistakes by Detroit to complete the victory.