The Detroit Lions' defensive shortcomings were on display for all of America to see last night in prime time.
Hosting "Sunday Night Football" for the first time since 2015, Carolina quarterback Bryce Young and the Panthers put on a show as they picked apart the Lions' defense from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. Young diced Detroit, passing for 329 yards and two scores and led the Panthers to 445 yards of total offense.
Second-year receiver Tetairoa McMillan hauled in 14 catches for a career-high 192 yards and two touchdowns.
At one point, the Panthers scored on six straight drives, allowing Carolina to build a 32-19 lead that it wouldn't surrender.
The Lions entered the night as the NFL's worst passing defense and worst scoring defense.
After Sunday night, their averages in both categories got worse. The Lions are allowing 304.0 passing yards per game and 31.8 points per game, both last in the NFL. Detroit ranks 21st in rushing defense (119.8 rushing yards per game).
After its latest defensive laugher, Lions head coach Dan Campbell was asked in postgame how many more of these performances he can take before considering a change at defensive coordinator with Kelvin Sheppard.
"I'm not talking about all that," Campbell said of Sheppard. "I'm talking about getting better right now with what we've got. And that's what we're going to do. We're going to find a way to get better with what we've got...
"Let's look at it and let's get it fixed. But I know this: We go into panic mode when we've got 13 games left and we're 2-2, that's not the right thing to do. I just don't believe that. I never have. So, I know there's frustration and look, I'm frustrated. I know the players are frustrated."
Dan Campbell was asked how much longer he can take before he considers a change at defensive coordinator.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) October 5, 2026
“I’m not talking about all that. I’m talking about getting better right now with what we’ve got. And that’s what we’re gonna do,” he said after the Lions loss to the… pic.twitter.com/97Bim6Rg7F
Per ESPN research, the last time Detroit's defense allowed at least 30 or more points in three of its first four games was in 2008, during the Lions' infamous 0-16 season.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions' Dan Campbell 'not talking' firing DC Kelvin Sheppard
