Sep 27, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) passes the ball under pressure from Cleveland Browns safety Ronnie Hickman (33) during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaz… | Source: Lastwordonsports.com – Michael Zimmelman, Editor

The Carolina Panthers will play their first Sunday Night Football game in nearly a decade when they host the Detroit Lions for their blackout game.

Carolina enters the matchup following a confusing loss to the Cleveland Browns, in which both teams struggled to move the ball. The Panthers also suffered several injuries. Jalen Coker could not finish the game because of a quad injury, Mike Jackson left with a groin injury, and Jaycee Horn tore his quad during Cleveland’s game-winning drive.

Jackson and Horn are expected to miss time. Jackson could be out for approximately eight weeks following successful surgery, while Horn will not undergo surgery. Their absences will weaken Carolina’s secondary, potentially forcing rookie Will Lee and Akayleb Evans into starting roles.

This is an important game for Carolina as it makes its Sunday night debut, with all eyes on the Queen City. The Panthers will have several priorities to address if they want to secure a victory and enter their bye week at .500.

Sep 20, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Sunday Night Football Preview: The Injured Carolina Panthers Take on a Struggling Detroit Lions Team

Carolina Must Attack Through the Air

This game could turn into a shootout. The Lions have scored 31 points in each of their last three games, so Carolina will need to keep pace with Detroit’s offense. To do that, the Panthers must attack through the air.

Carolina could be without Coker on Sunday. He was listed as questionable on the team’s final injury report, and if he plays, he could be limited. However, Detroit has struggled to defend against opposing passing attacks.

The Lions have also struggled to contain opposing offenses, surrendering 300 rushing yards through their first three games. That could create opportunities for Tetairoa McMillan and Coker, if available, to make an impact. However, the most important targets could be tight ends, Darren Waller and Tommy Tremble.

Detroit has struggled against wide receivers, but its defense has been even more vulnerable against tight ends. The Lions have surrendered approximately 100 receiving yards to tight ends through three games, along with six total touchdowns.

This matchup plays into Carolina’s hands. The Panthers have operated as a pass-first offense, with Bryce Young currently leading the league in passing yards. Carolina needs to return to the offensive approach it used against Chicago and Atlanta to keep pace with Detroit. That means scheming McMillan open and allowing Waller to work in the red zone to finish drives.

The Carolina Panthers Need to Finish in the Red Zone

One issue that plagued Carolina against Cleveland was its red zone offense. The Browns’ defense contained an otherwise efficient Panthers offense, forcing Carolina to settle for field goals on drives that could have resulted in touchdowns.

Carolina will need to be more efficient in the red zone. The Panthers currently rank 14th in red zone touchdown efficiency, scoring touchdowns on approximately 61% of their trips. This is where the connection between Young and Waller could prove valuable.

Young has targeted Waller on several of Carolina’s red zone trips, including during the tight end’s two-touchdown performance against the Atlanta Falcons. Offensive coordinator Brad Idzik and Young will likely lean heavily on that connection, particularly given Detroit’s struggles against tight ends.

However, the bigger concern is Carolina’s red zone defense, which ranks last in the league. Although it has been only three weeks and the Panthers did not allow Atlanta to reach the red zone in Week 2, opposing teams have generally converted their opportunities into touchdowns.

Having Devin Lloyd and Nick Scott back should help, but Carolina will face two of the league’s most dangerous red zone threats in Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs.

The Panthers will need to contain both players to limit Detroit’s offensive production.

Jun 9, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Derrick Brown (95) during the first day of mini camp at Bank of America Stadium practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Derrick Brown and Company Will Need to Do Their Jobs

Carolina made a significant move this offseason by adding Jaelan Phillips, hoping he would help improve the team’s pass rush. So far, Phillips has recorded two sacks and two tackles for loss, with a pressure rate of 15%, which ranks 25th in the league. Carolina’s defense has a team pressure rate of 15%, ranking 19th.

The Panthers will face a Detroit offensive line with a 60% pass-block win rate. Meanwhile, Jared Goff has faced pressure at one of the lowest rates in the league. Carolina will need to get after Goff, who has struggled when opposing defenses generate consistent pressure.

The Panthers must also control Detroit’s rushing attack. Gibbs has been one of the league’s most productive running backs this season, averaging 5 yards per carry and 100 yards per game. Carolina has struggled against the run, but limiting Gibbs to fewer than 4 yards per carry would put more pressure on Goff to attack through the air.

Carolina will have its hands full against Detroit’s offense. However, limiting possessions and forcing the Lions into difficult down-and-distance situations could allow the Panthers to control the flow of the game and keep their offense competitive.

The Last Word

Sunday Night Football could provide an offensive showcase, with both defenses facing challenges. The Carolina Panthers will need to keep pace with the Detroit Lions, and the best way to do that may be to return to the approach they used in 2025: limiting possessions rather than trying to match higher-scoring opponents drive for drive.

Carolina’s offense is capable of matching Detroit’s scoring output, but the Panthers’ defense is dealing with several injuries, making it even more important for the offense to sustain drives and finish in the red zone.

If Carolina can limit Detroit’s possessions by forcing long drives and creating difficult down-and-distance situations, the Panthers could put themselves in position to win. A victory would also give the team an opportunity to enter its Week 5 bye at .500 and get healthier before the more challenging portion of its schedule.

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  Source: sports.yahoo.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.