Bryan Strickland
Offensive key: The offensive line was the feel-good story of the season's first half, but the unit couldn't feel good about how it performed last time out in Pittsburgh. Cam Newton was sacked five times after going down just 12 times through eight games, and the Panthers fell short of 100 rushing yards for just the second time all season. Getting in a hole early thanks in part to a near-sack that turned into a pick-six played a role in the high number of sacks and low number of rushing yards, so the line will want to re-establish its control of things early in Detroit. The Lions, by the way, rank 28th in run defense (132.7 yards allowed per game).
Defensive key: No one has really talked about the Lions' running game since Barry Sanders retired, but there's reason to discuss thanks to Kerryon Johnson. The rookie running back stopped a 70-game streak without a 100-yard rusher for the Lions in a Week 3 victory over the Patriots. Carolina's defense always harps on stopping the run first, and while Matthew Stafford still likes to sling it around, that's the perfect starting point Sunday. Johnson has totaled 329 rushing yards in Detroit's three wins; he's totaled 225 in six losses.
Gutsy guess: Last year in Detroit, a Panthers reserve sparkled, with tight end Ed Dickson racking up 175 receiving yards in Carolina's victory. Dickson started that day in place of Greg Olsen, and Jarius Wright might officially start Sunday, but he's down the list of most discussed Carolina's pass catchers. There'll be reason to talk about him Sunday when Mr. Third Down transforms into Mr. Touchdown and returns to the end zone for the first time since Week 2 while also topping his season high of five receptions.
Max Henson
Offensive key: A fast start is exactly what Carolina produced last week in Pittsburgh, finding the end zone on the game's opening possession. Then it all went downhill from there. I still say a fast start is the key for the Panthers as they look to solve their road woes. I don't see what happened on Thursday Night Football repeating itself. Build an early lead and start pounding away at a Lions team that is very much on the ropes at 3-6.
Defensive key: The Lions are having major issues protecting Stafford, who has been sacked 16 times in the last two games. The Panthers are waiting to see their pass rush start clicking. This seems like a perfect matchup for that, and I think pressure on Stafford is the key to the entire game. But, you can't rush the passer effectively without stopping the run. Bryan noted some important stats in that regard, and here are some more: In their three losses - all on the road - the Panthers have given up 5.8 yards per carry to the opposing team's starting running back. Can't let Kerryon Johnson, who averages 5.4 yards per attempt, continue that trend.
Gutsy guess: Carolina's proud defense has to respond after the Steelers piled up yards and points on a national stage. Linebacker Thomas Davis, the emotional leader of the unit, will set the tone and fill the stat sheet. I'm seeing 10 tackles, a sack and an interception from Davis, who'll lead by example on Sunday.
Bill Voth
Offensive key: As Bryan noted, the Lions haven't been good against the run. The Panthers need to exploit that weakness. Yeah, Newton has more passing options than ever, but the ground game still fuels Carolina's offense. In their six wins, the Panthers averaged 151.2 rushing yards. They averaged 99.0 in their three losses.
Defensive key: Stafford is averaging one interception per game, and the Lions are tied for the eighth-most giveaways with 14. The Panthers have to raise that number because these numbers are telling: In their six wins, they had 14 takeaways while they forced just one turnover in their three losses.
Gutsy guess: Newton threw four interceptions in his first game against the Lions in 2011. In two meetings since he's thrown four touchdowns and no picks. I think the Panthers will easily eclipse 100 rushing yards, but Newton will toss four scores.
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.
