The Detroit Lions have a major opportunity against the Carolina Panthers — but there are a few things they absolutely cannot afford to get wrong. Mike Payton breaks down the Lions vs. Panthers matchup in the latest Weekly Lions Prediction Lab, including where Detroit can attack Carolina, where the Panthers can create problems, what ultimately decides the game and Mike's final score prediction. The biggest opportunity for the Lions could come against a depleted Panthers secondary. Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson are both out, meaning Detroit should have opportunities to attack Carolina's replacement cornerbacks with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Mike also explains why Jahmyr Gibbs could be a major part of that game plan by forcing Carolina's safeties to make difficult decisions. On defense, Detroit should have an opportunity to attack the middle of Carolina's offensive line with Alim McNeill, Tyler Williams and Skyler Gill-Harrell. But the Lions have to be disciplined. Bryce Young can still make plays when pressure arrives, and Detroit cannot afford to lose contain or allow him to extend plays. Another major concern is third down. The Lions are currently allowing a 59.1% success rate on third down, while Carolina is converting only 36.8% of its third downs. Mike explains why that contrast could ultimately determine who wins this game. Detroit also has to clean up the penalties that hurt the defense last week and avoid allowing Carolina's tight ends to control the middle of the field. Can the Lions' offense take advantage of Carolina's depleted secondary? Can Detroit's defensive line generate enough pressure without losing contain? And can the Lions finally improve their third-down defense? Mike Payton gives his complete Lions vs. Panthers breakdown and final prediction. Mike's prediction: Lions 31, Panthers 14. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Detroit for Detroit Lions news, analysis, game previews, predictions, postgame reactions, roster updates and more. Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more LIONS coverage: Facebook: Instagram: Twitter/X: TikTok: 0:00 Lions vs Panthers Prediction Lab 0:22 Where The Lions Can Attack 0:42 Attack Carolina's Replacement Corners 1:24 How Jahmyr Gibbs Can Open Things Up 2:27 The Lions Can Attack Carolina Up The Middle 3:16 How To Pressure Bryce Young 4:47 Where The Lions Can Get Beat 5:10 Detroit's 3rd Down Problem 5:37 Bryce Young Is Still Dangerous 6:27 Stop The Run And Don't Lose The Tight Ends 7:38 The Lions Have To Stop Committing Penalties 8:30 Don't Take The Panthers Lightly 8:53 The Biggest Key Is 3rd Down 9:26 What Detroit Needs To Do 10:14 Mike's Final Prediction 10:58 Lions 31, Panthers 14 #detroitlions #lionsnation #lionsfootball #detroitlionsnews

The Lions Have A MASSIVE Matchup Advantage Against Carolina...

Jared Goff is doing something the biggest criticism of his game says he shouldn't be able to do. For years, the book on Goff has been simple: pressure him, blitz him, get him uncomfortable and force him off his spot. But through three games of the 2026 season, that hasn't been happening. Goff has completed 30 of 36 passes against the blitz for 304 yards, five touchdowns and zero interceptions. According to Pro Football Focus, he's completing 83.3% of his passes when defenses blitz him, while averaging 8.4 yards per attempt. And when defenses actually get pressure on him, the numbers are still impressive. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Goff is 19-of-29 for 238 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions under pressure, with a 102.4 passer rating. He's also completing passes 5.8 percentage points above expectation based on the circumstances of his throws. So does Jared Goff actually need to be a mobile quarterback? Mike Payton breaks down the numbers behind Goff's incredible start, why his pocket movement is more effective than it gets credit for, the role the Lions' offensive line is playing, and why the upcoming matchup with Minnesota could be the biggest early-season test of Goff's 2026 season. If Goff continues to play this way against pressure, the conversation around his game may need to change. And if he balls out against Minnesota? Maybe it's time to start talking about Jared Goff in the MVP conversation. Let us know what you think in the comments. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Detroit for Detroit Lions news, analysis, film breakdowns, roster updates, game reactions and more. Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more LIONS coverage: Facebook: Instagram: Twitter/X: TikTok: 0:00 Jared Goff Is Doing Something He "Can't" Do 0:23 The Ben Johnson Comments 1:14 The Biggest Criticism Of Jared Goff 1:37 Goff vs. The Blitz 2:39 The Goff Narrative 3:24 Goff's Blitz Numbers Are INSANE 4:24 Zero Turnover-Worthy Plays 5:05 Blitz vs. Actual Pressure 5:28 Goff Under Pressure 6:25 Goff Is Beating Expectations 7:21 Goff Is Making Big-Time Throws 7:55 Does Goff Need To Be Mobile? 8:21 Goff's "Micro Movements" 10:34 The Lions Offensive Line Deserves Credit 10:56 Minnesota Will Be The REAL Test 12:01 Could Goff Enter The MVP Conversation? #detroitlions #lionsnation #lionsfootball #detroitlionsnews

Jared Goff Is Making His Biggest Critics Look REALLY Wrong...

The Detroit Lions' defense has taken plenty of criticism through the first two weeks of the 2026 season, but Mike Payton believes there are four defensive players who aren't getting nearly enough attention for how well they've played. Tyleik Williams is the first name on the list. Through two games, Williams has played 82 defensive snaps and owns an 81.3 Pro Football Focus grade, according to Mike. He's been strong against the run while also generating pressure as a pass rusher. Mike then breaks down sixth-round pick Skyler Gill-Howard, who has already played 71 snaps and has been thrown into a much larger role than expected. Gill-Howard has four pressures and a quarterback hit, and Mike expects the rookie to start producing more as a pass rusher. Derrick Barnes may be the biggest surprise of the group. Barnes currently has an 83.6 coverage grade, an interception, a pass breakup, five pressures and two sacks through the first two games. Mike explains why Barnes is playing like the linebacker Lions fans hoped he would become. The final player is D.J. Reed, who Mike knows will be a controversial inclusion. After a difficult Week 1, Reed was targeted just once against Buffalo. Mike explains why he believes the Bills intentionally stayed away from Reed and why the Week 3 matchup against Reed's former team, the New York Jets, will be an important test. Mike also explains the bigger picture for Detroit's defense: he believes the defensive line and linebackers are in a good place, but the secondary still needs more help. Which Lions defensive player deserves more attention? Let Mike know in the comments. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Detroit for Detroit Lions news, analysis, roster updates, game reactions, film breakdowns and daily coverage throughout the 2026 season. #DetroitLions #OnePride #Lions #NFL Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more LIONS coverage: Facebook: Instagram: Twitter/X: TikTok: 0:00 The Lions Have Defensive Bright Spots 1:35 Tyleik Williams Is Flying Under The Radar 2:15 Williams' PFF Grade & Pass Rush 3:07 The Play That Won The Saints Game 4:25 Williams Needs More Pass-Rush Opportunities 5:06 Skyler Gill-Howard Is Being Thrown Into The Fire 6:18 Gill-Howard's Biggest Area To Improve 7:32 Derrick Barnes Is BALLING 8:00 Barnes' Incredible Coverage Numbers 9:28 D.J. Reed Is Better Than Lions Fans Think 10:03 Why Buffalo Avoided D.J. Reed 10:57 Reed Gets His Former Team Next 11:36 The Lions Still Need Secondary Help #detroitlions #lionsnation #lionsfootball #detroitlionsnews

The Detroit Lions' defense has taken plenty of criticism through the first two weeks of the 2026 season, but Mike Payton believes there are four defensive players who aren't getting nearly enough attention for how well they've played. Tyleik Williams is the first name on the list. Through two games, Williams has played 82 defensive snaps and owns an 81.3 Pro Football Focus grade, according to Mike. He's been strong against the run while also generating pressure as a pass rusher. Mike then breaks down sixth-round pick Skyler Gill-Howard, who has already played 71 snaps and has been thrown into a much larger role than expected. Gill-Howard has four pressures and a quarterback hit, and Mike expects the rookie to start producing more as a pass rusher. Derrick Barnes may be the biggest surprise of the group. Barnes currently has an 83.6 coverage grade, an interception, a pass breakup, five pressures and two sacks through the first two games. Mike explains why Barnes is playing like the linebacker Lions fans hoped he would become. The final player is D.J. Reed, who Mike knows will be a controversial inclusion. After a difficult Week 1, Reed was targeted just once against Buffalo. Mike explains why he believes the Bills intentionally stayed away from Reed and why the Week 3 matchup against Reed's former team, the New York Jets, will be an important test. Mike also explains the bigger picture for Detroit's defense: he believes the defensive line and linebackers are in a good place, but the secondary still needs more help. Which Lions defensive player deserves more attention? Let Mike know in the comments. Subscribe to A to Z Sports Detroit for Detroit Lions news, analysis, roster updates, game reactions, film breakdowns and daily coverage throughout the 2026 season. #DetroitLions #OnePride #Lions #NFL Make A to Z Sports your preferred source on Google: Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: For more LIONS coverage: Facebook: Instagram: Twitter/X: TikTok: 0:00 The Lions Have Defensive Bright Spots 1:35 Tyleik Williams Is Flying Under The Radar 2:15 Williams' PFF Grade &amp; Pass Rush 3:07 The Play That Won The Saints Game 4:25 Williams Needs More Pass-Rush Opportunities 5:06 Skyler Gill-Howard Is Being Thrown Into The Fire 6:18 Gill-Howard's Biggest Area To Improve 7:32 Derrick Barnes Is BALLING 8:00 Barnes' Incredible Coverage Numbers 9:28 D.J. Reed Is Better Than Lions Fans Think 10:03 Why Buffalo Avoided D.J. Reed 10:57 Reed Gets His Former Team Next 11:36 The Lions Still Need Secondary Help #detroitlions #lionsnation #lionsfootball #detroitlionsnews

The Lions Have 4 Defensive Players Nobody Is Talking About...

Mike Payton talks about Aidan Hutchinson's looming contract extension, that probably will make him the highest-paid edge rusher in the NFL. This could create a problem for the Lions, in terms of paying many of their young stars. How can they do it? Here's how... *The Lions Will Be Able To Sign & Keep ALL Their Young Stars, With One Simple Salary Cap Move...* For more LIONS coverage: Facebook: Instagram: Twitter/X: TikTok: #detroitlions #lionsnation #lionsfootball #detroitlionsnews

Mike Payton talks about Aidan Hutchinson's looming contract extension, that probably will make him the highest-paid edge rusher in the NFL. This could create a problem for the Lions, in terms of paying many of their young stars. How can they do it? Here's how... *The Lions Will Be Able To Sign &amp; Keep ALL Their Young Stars, With One Simple Salary Cap Move...* For more LIONS coverage: Facebook: Instagram: Twitter/X: TikTok: #detroitlions #lionsnation #lionsfootball #detroitlionsnews

The Lions Will Be Able To Sign & Keep ALL Their Young Stars, With One Simple Salary Cap Move...

Jared Goff and the #Lions need to be prepared for the blitz this weekend #OnePride #NFLNews

Mike Payton talks about the Lions upcoming game against the Packers, and how Green Bay could play right into one of Jared Goff's biggest strengths. *The Packers Could Accidentally Play Into One Of Jared Goff's Biggest STRENGTHS In Week 1...* For more LIONS coverage: Facebook: Instagram: Twitter/X: TikTok: #detroitlions #lionsnation #lionsfootball #detroitlionsnews

The Packers Could Accidentally Play Into One Of Jared Goff's Biggest STRENGTHS In Week 1...

Expect the #Lions to lean heavily on the run game when they face the Packers this season #shorts

Its not looking great for ZaDarius Smith and the #Lions.. #OnePride #NFLNews #AtoZSports #Shorts

Mike Payton talks about Brad Holmes' comments from Wednesday, that indicated that Za'Darius Smith might not actually be coming back to the Detroit Lions, despite tons of speculation throughout the offseason. *Lions GM Just Hinted That A Za'Darius Smith REUNION Probably Isn't Happening...* For more LIONS coverage: Facebook: Instagram: Twitter/X: TikTok: #detroitlions #lionsnation #lionsfootball #detroitlionsnews

Lions GM Just Hinted That A Za'Darius Smith REUNION Probably Isn't Happening...

Mike Payton recaps the Lions TJ Hockenson trade, and talks about how Detroit has officially lost the trade. *The TJ Hockenson Trade Has OFFICIALLY Backfired On The Detroit Lions...* For more LIONS coverage: Facebook: Instagram: Twitter/X: TikTok: #detroitlions #lionsnation #lionsfootball #detroitlionsnews

The TJ Hockenson Trade Has OFFICIALLY Backfired On The Detroit Lions...

The T.J. Hockenson trade is coming back to haunt the #Lions.. #shorts #nflnews #detroitlions

#Lions waive rookie DE Ahmed Hassanein, but dont panic #shorts #nflnews #onepride #detroitlions

Dan Campbell spoke the #Lions turnover success into existence #AtoZSports #OnePride #NFLPreseason

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