Jared Goff, Lions capitalize on Panthers' miscues

Field Level Media|published: Sun 8th October, 16:19 2023

Oct 8, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers in the first quarter at Ford Field. credits: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Jared Goff passed for three touchdowns and rushed for another as the host Detroit Lions pounded the winless Carolina Panthers 42-24 on Sunday.

Goff completed 20 of 28 passes for 236 yards. David Montgomery rushed for 108 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown for the Lions (4-1). Josh Reynolds caught four passes for 76 yards and a score.

The Lions were missing two key playmakers, as top receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (abdomen) and rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) were inactive. It didn't matter as Detroit scored six touchdowns.

Carolina rookie Bryce Young completed 25 of 41 passes for 247 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Adam Thielen caught 11 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown for the Panthers (0-5).

Panthers rookie guard Chandler Zavala was carted off in the opening quarter due to a neck injury.

The Lions led 28-10 at halftime.

Detroit drove 81 yards in just three plays during its first possession to take the lead. Montgomery cut to his left and scored from 42 yards out.

Aidan Hutchinson's one-handed interception deep in Panthers territory set up the Lions' next scoring play. On 3rd-and-goal, Goff found Sam LaPorta for a 4-yard touchdown.

Carolina responded with a 14-play, 75-yard drive that was capped by Young's 1-yard pass to tight end Tommy Tremble.

Another Panthers giveaway provided Detroit with a short field. Will Harris recovered a Miles Sanders fumble at the Carolina 38. A methodical 10-play drive resulted in Goff's 1-yard scoring pass to Reynolds.

Carolina's next turnover, a Young pass picked off by Jerry Jacobs, was quickly cashed in by the Lions. They used a flea flicker to free up LaPorta and Goff connected with his rookie tight end for a 31-yard touchdown.

The Panthers' Eddy Pineiro kicked a 33-yard field goal in the closing seconds of the half.

Goff scored on a 1-yard plunge on the first play of the fourth quarter as the Lions took a 35-10 lead.

Young connected with D.J. Chark on an 18-yard touchdown to cut Detroit's lead to 18 points.

Craig Reynolds scored the Lions' sixth touchdown on a 5-yard run.

—Field Level Media

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