3 Takeaways from the Lions’ 27-24 loss to the Carolina Panthers

Here's what to take away from today's 27-24 loss to the Carolina Panthers

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The Detroit Lions came into this matchup with high hopes of improving their record to an impressive 4-1, but the Carolina Panthers had other plans. Trailing by 17 in the 4th quarter, the Lions scored 14 unanswered points to bring the score to 27-24. After the score, all the Lions defense needed to do was stop Cam Newton and the Carolina offense, but they failed to that after Kelvin Benjamin caught a first-down pass to essentially end the game. Detroit now falls to 3-2 on the year while the Panthers move to 4-1.

Here are three takeaways from the Lions 27-24 home loss to the Carolina Panthers

1The offense needs work

Although Matthew Stafford and the Lions offense was able to put up 24 points total, 14 of those points came late in the 4th quarter. None of Detroit’s top playmakers were able to get into the end zone, with only backups Darren Fells and Zach Zenner able to find pay dirt. While it is great that the depth players are scoring touchdowns, the top playmakers need to show up when they are needed.

2Darren Fells should start at tight end

Time and time again, Eric Ebron fails to prove his worth as a first-round draft pick. In today’s game against the Panthers, he was only able to bring in one reception for six yards, while dropping a touchdown. On the other hand, backup tight end Darren Fells caught two passes for 24-yards and two touchdowns. If Ebron continues his poor play, the Lions should really consider making Fells the starter.

3Stafford is lone consistent factor

Matthew Stafford continues to come out and play the best he can each and every week. He went 23/35 for 229 yards with two touchdowns in the loss to Carolina on Sunday. No matter what happens, Stafford never seems to lose hope in his team and he is willing to put his body on the line to help get his team the win. Even with a taped thigh and ankle, Stafford refused to stay out of the game just so he could put his team in the best position to win. It’s safe to say that the Detroit Lions got it right when they signed him to that huge contract this past offseason.