Young, McMillan Lead Panthers to Primetime Victory over Lions

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers delivered under the Sunday night lights, defeating the Detroit Lions 32-26 at Bank of America Stadium behind a dominant connection between quarterback Bryce Young and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.

Young turned in one of his strongest performances of the season, completing 29 of 41 passes for 329 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. McMillan was his favorite target, exploding for a career-high 192 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 14 catches.

Carolina also found success on the ground behind Chuba Hubbard, who rushed for 122 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries.

After Detroit opened the scoring with a 54-yard Jake Bates field goal, Hubbard put Carolina ahead with a 15-yard touchdown run. Young later connected with McMillan for a 32-yard score, but the Lions battled back and sent the teams into halftime tied at 16.

The Panthers seized control after the break.

Young found McMillan again for a 10-yard touchdown on Carolina’s opening possession of the third quarter. Hubbard added his second touchdown later in the period, helping the Panthers build a lead Detroit couldn’t overcome.

Lions quarterback Jared Goff kept Detroit alive, finishing with 412 passing yards and a touchdown. His eight-yard scoring pass to Sam LaPorta pulled Detroit within 32-26 late in the fourth quarter.

Detroit got one final opportunity with just over two minutes remaining, but Carolina’s defense slammed the door. The Lions failed to convert a fourth-and-13 from their own territory, allowing Young to kneel out the clock and secure the victory.

The win moves Carolina to 2-2 entering its bye week and marked the Panthers’ first Sunday Night Football victory since 2015.

(Photo courtesy of Carolina Panthers)