Heading into their early bye week, the Carolina Panthers are reeling from a string of major injuries, their run defense still ranks last in the NFL and their pass rush remains anemic despite all their offseason efforts. And none of that matters, because their offense is so good that it gives them a chance to win every single game they're in.
Sunday night's prime-time victory over the Detroit Lions proved that much, and represented a massive step forward for a franchise that's been floundering for most of the last decade. Not only can the Panthers hang with real contenders, but they can also beat them—even under far than ideal circumstances.
Grant Gordon at NFL.com says the big victory speaks volumes about where this team's growth:
If the national
audience was not aware of the talent and promise possessed by Tetairoa McMillan, the 2025 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year introduced himself emphatically on Sunday night. McMillan was next door to uncoverable, torching the Lions for career-best numbers in the first half alone and teaming up with Bryce Young for a huge win. All victories count the same in the standings, but some just resonate more. The Panthers besting a perennial NFC contender in a ballyhooed return to a standalone game speaks volumes.
The Panthers are 2-2 going into a much-needed break before their next game—which comes on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6. That will be another tough test against an NFC heavyweight, but Carolina's young roster should have all the confidence they need to hang with them.
Now, what matters most is getting healthy. The Panthers won't have cornerbacks Jaycee Horn or Mike Jackson back until at least November, but other key pieces like wide receiver Jalen Coker and left guard Damien Lewis could make a big impact for this team if they're able to return after the bye.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers' Week 4 upset of Lions 'speaks volumes' about their progress
