It's crunch time. Get ready for game day, and don't forget the chips as the Panthers host the Lions on Sunday. Here are five things to watch for in the matchup.
POINTS AT A PREMIUM
The Panthers have their own uncertainty on offense this week, with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater questionable with a right knee injury and running back Christian McCaffrey out with a shoulder problem.
The situation isn't that much different on the other side.
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is expected to play, but he's also listed as questionable because of a partially torn thumb ligament in his throwing hand.
But he'll be without his leading receiver and one of his top weapons Sunday, among other injury problems for Detroit's offense.
No. 1 wideout Kenny Golladay is out with a hip injury, along with running back D'Andre Swift, who suffered a concussion. A hip injury also has receiver Danny Amendola already ruled out.
The Lions are 1-3 without Golladay this year, and his absence takes away a deep threat as well as a dependable red zone option. He missed last week's game with a hip injury but practiced Wednesday before it became clear he wouldn't go. With Amendola out, they'll likely need to add to the group rather than just going with two Marvins (Jones and Hall) and rookie Quintez Cephus. Mohamed Sanu is on their practice squad, and he could become a factor.
Swift had a career-high 149 yards from scrimmage last week, so taking him out of the mix is a blow for the Lions. They have some guy named Adrian Peterson to fill in, but Swift's a dynamic player.
Of course, the Panthers aren't going to apologize to anyone for injury issues, but these two offenses are definitely in flux.
TAKE CARE OF THE BALL
The Panthers' coaches have been preaching all week about ball security, for a good reason.
In their four wins, the Lions have taken the ball away seven times. But in their five losses, they have just one takeaway (which came in their 35-29 loss to the Saints).
If Bridgewater's able to play, that would certainly help.
MIKE DAVIS HAS GOOD HANDS
Panthers running back Mike Davis spent his videoconference with the media this week speaking in the third person, having some fun with it (or having lost a bet).
But it's fair to say that more people ought to be talking about the season Mike Davis has been having.
Mike Davis is second among running backs in receptions with 47. Only Saints do-it-all back Alvin Kamara has more (67). In McCaffrey's absence, it was reasonable to wonder if the offense would flatline, but Mike Davis has done his job, and then some.
We think Mike Davis would agree.
START QUICKLY
The Panthers would love it if everyone stopped talking about their third-quarter offense.
But because I'd rather light a candle than curse their darkness, it's worth pointing out how good they are to start games.
They've scored 66 points in the first quarter this season, the third-best total in the league at this point.
Unless they can arrange for a longer halftime, they're going to have to figure out how to extend that into the second half at some point, but not getting into holes early in games can't hurt.
IN THE ZONE
The Panthers went through their struggles in the red zone early in the year, but that has gotten better lately.
They're 9-of-9 scoring touchdowns the last four games, a significant improvement over all the field goal-settling from the first part of the season.
In a game that could be decided by a thin margin (and all of them have been, other than last week), that could matter in a big way.
Carolina leads the all-time series with Detroit, 7-3.
DJ Moore breaks a tackle against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday, November 18, 2018.
DJ Moore makes a reception against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday, November 18, 2018.
Carolina Panthers play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, September 14, 2014.
Detroit Lions quarterback Daunte Culpepper (11) loses the ball as he attempts to score on a two-point conversion during the second half of the Lions' 31-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers safety Mike Minter, right, runs an interception back 40 yards for a touchdown as Emmmanuel McDaniel, left, follows in the third quarter against the Detroit Lions in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2002. The Panthers won 31-7. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Cam Newton hands the ball off to Christian McCaffrey against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday, November 18, 2018.
Carolina Panthers play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, September 14, 2014.
Detroit Lions quarterback Joey Harrington is brought down by Carolina Panthers defensive end Al Wallace in the fourth quarter in Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005. Harrington finished 17-of-28 for 201 yards with an interception and two fumbles in the Lions' 21-20 loss. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Carolina Panthers play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, September 14, 2014.
Carolina Panthers play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, September 14, 2014.
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88), defended by Detroit Lions cornerback Eric Wright (21) scores on a two-point conversion during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Carolina Panthers play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, September 14, 2014.
Carolina Panthers play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, September 14, 2014.
Carolina Panthers play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, September 14, 2014.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) runs after a catch against the Detroit Lions in the third quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman block the Carolina Panthers defensive line in the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Carolina Panthers receiver Ricky Proehl (81) pulls in a 3-yard touchdown reception in front of Detroit Lions cornerback R.W. McQuarters (31) in the final minute of the game in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005. The Panthers defeated the Lions 21-20. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) throws against the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Carolina Panthers play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, September 14, 2014.
Carolina Panthers play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, September 14, 2014.
Detroit Lions running back Kevin Smith (30) is stopped by the Carolina Panthers defense during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams (34) runs for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Detroit Lions in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart, right, runs past Detroit Lions' Ikaika Alama-Francis (97) during the second half of the Panthers' 31-22 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) stands over Detroit Lions quarterback Daunte Culpepper (11) after sacking him and causing a fumble during the second half of the Panthers' 31-22 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008. The Panthers recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Detroit Lions quarterback Daunte Culpepper (11) throws a pass under pressure from Carolina Panthers' Jon Beason (52) during the second half of the Panthers' 31-22 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers safety Mike Minter signals a turnover after causing Detroit Lions wide receiver Mike Williams to fumble during the third quarter in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005. The Panthers won 21-20. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Chris Weinke (16) is lifted by lineman Todd Fordham after throwing a 3-yard touchdown pass to Ricky Proehl in the final minute of the game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005. The Panthers beat the Lions 21-20. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Carolina Panthers' Muhsin Muhammad, top, catches a 22-yard touchdown pass as Detroit Lions Chris Cash (29) defends in the second quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 15, 2002. (AP Photo/Rusty Burroughs)
Carolina Panthers receiver Keary Colbert (83), defended by Detroit Lions cornerback Andre Goodman (35) pulls in a pass for 42 yards, at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Julius Peppers and Luke Kuechly makes a tackle against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday, November 18, 2018.
Greg Olsen celebrates a touchdown against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday, November 18, 2018.
