Carolina Panthers At Detroit Lions – Week 5 Game Report

Week 5 of the NFL brings two equally matched teams in the game between Carolina Panthers vs. Detroit Lions. Both teams come into the game first in their divisions and both 3-1, with the Panthers losing to the Saints in Week 3 and the Lions losing to the Falcons also in Week 3.

Detroit Lions ace Matthew Stafford took the field today as the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL. Stafford was selected first overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. Since being drafted, he has had three postseason appearances and has played in 113 regular season games. The Lions also have Golden Tate, Ameer Abdullah, Marvin Jones, and Anthony Zettel as key players.

Carolina Panthers star quarterback Cam Newton also took the field in today’s game. Newton was the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft. He also has three postseason appearances, including one Superbowl berth. Cam has been under fire recently for making a sexist comment about a female reporter. As CNN reports, Newton has since apologized for his remarks, stating that his comment was “extremely degrading and disrespectful.”

The first quarter seemed to relay the notion of how evenly-matched these two teams are, as both teams hit in a deadlock. Detroit took the first possession of the game and, partly due to a penalty against Carolina, were able to end the drive with a 30-yard field goal by Matt Prater. The Panthers took three penalties for a total of 30 yards during their first drive of the game, ending the drive with a punt. With another possession each in the quarter, only the Panthers would score, with a 21-yard field goal by Graham Gano.

The second quarter showed a shift in the momentum and direction of the game. The Lions would score next, with the first touchdown of the game. Carolina came back to score two back-to-back touchdowns, but not before they earned a few more penalties. The half came to an end with a score of 17-3, Panthers.

The third quarter continued moving Carolina’s favor, as they would open the half with a touchdown on their opening drive. The Lions got the ball, only to have their first drive to end in a fumble. The Panthers built on their lead, as they managed to tack on another field goal.

The fourth quarter would once again see the Detroit Lions at a disadvantage. The Panthers opened with a missed field goal attempt. Both teams punted on the next two drives, followed by back-to-back touchdowns by the Lions to make it a three-point game. In the end, Newton and the Panthers would end the game by taking a knee and running out the clock.

The final score is Carolina 27, Detroit 24,as reported by ESPN.

[Featured Image by Rick Osentoski/AP Images]