Articles:
NOTEBOOK: Lions outplayed by Panthers in 37-23 loss: https://www.detroitlions.com/news/notebook-lions-outplayed-by-panthers-in-37-23-loss
FOUR DOWNS: Run defense takes a step back in loss to Panthers: https://www.detroitlions.com/news/four-downs-run-defense-takes-a-step-back-in-loss-to-panthers
Lions trash field conditions in Carolina: ‘I didn’t think that was actually legal’: https://www.mlive.com/lions/2022/12/lions-trash-field-conditions-in-carolina-i-didnt-think-that-was-actually-legal.html
Playoff outlook: Lions would already be in field with win, now need lots of help: https://www.mlive.com/lions/2022/12/playoff-outlook-lions-would-already-be-in-field-with-win-now-need-lots-of-help.html
Inside the locker room: Panthers encouraged Sam Darnold to run before beating Lions: https://www.mlive.com/lions/2022/12/inside-the-locker-room-panthers-encouraged-sam-darnold-to-run-before-beating-lions.html
Dan Campbell: Lions got 'what we deserved' in 37-23 loss to Panthers: https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2022/12/24/dan-campbell-lions-got-what-we-deserved-in-37-23-loss-to-panthers/69755585007/
Lions’ playoff chances dim after 37-23 loss at Panthers: https://lionslowdown.com/2022/12/24/lions-playoff-chances-dim-after-37-23-loss-at-panthers/
Amon-Ra St. Brown tops 1,000 receiving yards for the season: https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2022/12/24/lions-amon-ra-st-brown-tops-1000-receiving-yards-for-the-season/
Quick takeaways from the Lions Week 16 loss to the Panthers: https://lionswire.usatoday.com/lists/quick-takeaways-from-the-lions-week-16-loss-to-the-panthers/
3 game ball candidates from the Lions’ loss to the Panthers: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2022/12/24/23525298/3-game-ball-candidates-detroit-lions-week-16-panthers-shane-zylstra-amon-ra-st-brown-john-cominsky
NFC playoff picture update: Lions miss big opportunity, but get a lot of help: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2022/12/24/23525531/nfc-playoff-picture-update-detroit-lions-miss-big-opportunity-get-help
Lions reality-checked by Panthers, who 'wanted it more than us': https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/detroit-lions-reality-checked-by-carolina-panthers
NFL Week 16 takeaways: Bills clinch AFC East; Vikes pull off another last-second win (Lions - What to know: The Lions' run defense was atrocious. Detroit entered as one of the hottest teams in the league, winning six of their past seven games, but couldn't adjust to the Carolina rushing attack -- allowing the Panthers to set a franchise record of 240 rushing yards in the first half and 320 overall. Carolina also set a franchise record for most total yards with 570. One silver lining was Shane Zylstra's three receiving touchdowns, including one late in the fourth quarter to narrow the deficit to 34-20. How important is a strong finish to the season? The Lions laid an egg against the Panthers. There's no denying that. But on a positive note, they've accomplished more than many thought they would this year, and there is still a 13% chance to reach the postseason, according to ESPN Analytics. But even if it doesn't make the playoffs, Detroit needs to be better than it was Saturday over the last two games to build some positive momentum into the offseason. -- Eric Woodyard): https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35304641/nfl-week-16-takeaways-2022-big-questions-every-game
2022 NFL season, Week 16: What We Learned from Saturday's games (Panthers win 27-23: 1. Panthers' dominant rushing attack keeps improbable season alive. Carolina gashed the Lions defense for 320 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, outright controlling a fast-paced game in frigid temperatures and setting the franchise's all-time mark for rushing yards in the process. Chuba Hubbard set the tone for such a day with a 30-yard scamper on the game's opening play, prompting an eye-opening showcase of big run plays initiated by the tremendous blocking from the Panthers' offensive line. D'Onta Foreman got into the mix as well with a couple of big gains and would soon eclipse the 100-yard rushing mark along with Hubbard to help propel the Panthers into halftime with a commanding 24-7 lead. While Detroit was better prepared to stop the run in the second half, Carolina kept churning away on the ground to eat up clock with a lead and allowed its passing game to open up. Needing a first down to maintain possession late in the fourth quarter, Foreman ran up the middle for a 28-yard gain to surpass the team's previous record of 299 total rushing yards in a game. Foreman (165 yards; TD) and Hubbard (125 yards) set career-high marks in the effort, and with the Panthers notching wins in three of their past four games, interim coach Steve Wilks has his team eyeing an implausible playoff berth amid a tumultuous season. 2. Lions couldn't climb out of early hole. Detroit set the table for a shootout in Charlotte once answering the Panthers' opening scoring drive with a touchdown, but the Lions' lone turnover on the day ruined such a scenario. Jared Goff's lost fumble on the snap not only ended a long Lions drive that reached the red zone, but concluded the quarterback's impressive streak of zero turnovers over the past six games (five wins). Allowing a TD on the ensuing Panthers drive, Detroit never really recovered and put itself in a precarious spot as its leaky run defense affected the rhythm of its streaky offense. The Lions went three-and-out on their two remaining drives of the first half and offered the same result for their two possessions coming out of halftime. Goff eventually got the offense going late in the third quarter, totaling 355 passing yards and finding three TDs to Shane Zylstra, but this was far from an impressive game his final stat line may suggest. The Lions' 45 total rushing yards on the day were another glaring factor of Detroit's disappointing day, and Dan Campbell's squad will go forward needing help from other teams in order to have a chance of getting into the playoffs. 3. Sam Darnold making his case in Carolina. Benefiting from a rushing attack that couldn't be stopped, the Panthers quarterback exploited the Lions defense through the air in the second half to ensure a stress-free win. It was a demonstration of what could be in Carolina when the offense is firing on all cylinders. Darnold's 47-yard connection to D.J. Moore on the Panthers' opening second-half possession exemplified the type of splash plays that could be had in Carolina with a capable quarterback. The play set up Darnold's back-breaking TD throw to Moore to extend its first-half dominance, and while the Panthers QB managed his way toward an easy win, he was able to make all the throws asked of him. The 25-year-old completed 15 of 22 passes for 250 yards and a TD while adding 19 rushing yards and another score in the first half. Darnold found Moore five times for 83 yards and continues to prove a healthy rapport with Carolina's top receiving threat. It's performances like these that make one wonder if Darnold -- the Panthers' third starting QB of the season -- has been the man all along for Carolina in 2022. With two road games remaining against NFC South foes (at Buccaneers, at Saints), Darnold certainly has an opportunity to not only make that case but become Carolina's saving grace. Next Gen stat of the game: The Carolina Panthers' +130 rushing yards over expected in the first half are the most by any team since RYOE was introduced in 2018. NFL Research: The Panthers offense set new franchise records in total yards (570) and rushing yards (320) vs. the Lions behind 165 rushing yards from D'Onta Foreman and 125 rush yards from Chuba Hubbard, which is the first time in team history that two players each had at least 125 rushing yards in the same game.): https://www.nfl.com/news/2022-nfl-season-week-16-what-we-learned-from-saturday-s-games
Lions' blowout loss squashes their playoff momentum, but is also a needed reality check for promising franchise: https://sports.yahoo.com/lions-blowout-loss-squashes-their-playoff-momentum-but-is-also-a-needed-reality-check-for-promising-franchise-220255502.html
NFL Winners and Losers: Kirk Cousins might deserve some credit after another game-winning drive (Losers - Detroit Lions' playoff chances: The problem with starting 1-6 is nothing can go wrong the rest of the season. The Lions were playing very well, having won six of seven. And one awful afternoon probably unraveled everything. The Lions got blasted by the Carolina Panthers 37-23 on Saturday. The Panthers set a franchise record for yards in a first half, and this isn't a good Carolina offense. Panthers running backs D'Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard each had 100 yards rushing before halftime. That's not good for Detroit. It was shocking given how the Lions have played lately. The Lions aren't dead in the playoff race at 7-8 but it doesn't look great after Saturday. They really couldn't afford a loss at Carolina. And it wasn't even close.): https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-winners-and-losers-kirk-cousins-might-deserve-some-credit-after-another-game-winning-drive-212838050.html
Grades:
Grades: Lions' Defense Dominated by Panthers: https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/grades-lions-defense-flops
CBS (Lions Grade - D: Everyone on the Lions defense is probably going to be getting a lump of coal in their stocking after their performance in this game. The Lions got absolutely run over by a Panthers rushing attack that totaled 320 yards, which marks the most the Lions have given up in a game since 1998. With the defense struggling, the Lions needed a big game from Jared Goff and the offense to stay in this, but the offense sputtered for the better part of three quarters before getting a few garbage-time scores. The Lions (7-8) were one of the hottest teams in the NFL heading into Week 16, but they seemed to fold under the pressure of actually being in a playoff race.): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-16-grades-bengals-earn-b-for-wild-win-over-patriots-lions-get-d-for-disheartening-loss/
Video:
Campbell on the Week 16 loss: https://www.detroitlions.com/video/campbell-on-the-week-16-loss
Goff on the Panthers defense: https://www.detroitlions.com/video/goff-on-the-panthers-defense
McNeill on the Week 16 defense performance: https://www.detroitlions.com/video/mcneill-on-the-week-16-defense-performance
Lions vs. Panthers highlights | Week 16: https://www.nfl.com/videos/lions-vs-panthers-highlights-week-16
