FINAL: Panthers 31, Lions 22; Lions fall to 0-10
Did you see former Lions quarterback Josh McCown talking to injured Lions center Dominic Raiola after the game? Perhaps he was offering him some sympathy or telling him to try to get out of Detroit. Because the Lions remain the only winless team in the league. Meanwhile, the Bengals have a chance to make it two wins as they have taken the Eagles to overtime.
31-22 Panthers at 4:44 of 4Q
I think we can say that Daunte Culpepper is officially a Detroit Lion now. He staved off the touchdown briefly, but DeAngelo Williams ran the four yards easily for the score. And Panthers nation breathes a sigh of relief.
Smelled that one coming
Couldn't you just see that happening? Daunte Culpepper just threw a devastating interception to Charles Godfrey. Ballgame.
Payback
The Lions could have been called for interference but the officials did not, perhaps atoning for their miss of the blatant face mask.
Should have had another crack at that
Daunte Culpepper dropped that ball on the 2-point conversion because his neck was being twisted around when the Panthers had a hold of his face mask. I'm sure no one is surprised that it wasn't called.
24-22 Panthers at 6:05 of 4Q
Daunte Culpepper just couldn't get the last yard into the end zone for the 2-point conversion. Alas. But it looked like a decent call. The bad part is now it's up the Lions' defense to get the ball back. Good luck with that.
That's a good thing
Kevin Smith has 24 carries for 112 yards, only the second running back (TB's Warrick Dunn) to get more than 100 yards agains the Panthers.
Lions trying to run again
The Lions, although they're down by 8 in the fourth quarter, have not abandoned the run. Calvin Johnson got a first down on that second effort. And John Standeford had a reception. He's been off and on the Lions almost as much as Aveion Cason.
24-16 Panthers after 3Q
For those keeping score at home, it's 24 carries for 232 yards total for the Panthers. Do you think Rod Marinelli is going to blame bad run fits after this game?
Miscommunication
It looked like Daunte Culpepper was going one way and Shaun McDonald was going the other. Net result is another punt for Nick Harris.
