A game to see which team can keep the momentum going will take place in week 2 when the Detroit Lions take on the Charlotte Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte at 1 pm. The game can be watched online via live stream below (free with subscription), or on the Fox Television network.
The Panthers won 20-14 at Tampa Bay behind Derek Anderson and this week they are encouraged by the return of Pro Bowl quarterback Cam Newton. The Lions got the job done in week 1 by dismantling the New York Giants 35-14 Monday night, on the arm of Matthew Stafford who threw for 346 yards.
Detroit Lions' QB Matthew Stafford burned the Giants defense last week.
For the Lions, the competition this week should be a step up, but Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate will try to keep the high octane offense running on all cylinders. Tate, who came over from the Seattle Seahawks in the offseason, will be of special importance to the Lions chances of winning. If he can give the Panthers' secondary something to worry about, then it should give Johnson the chance for some big plays. Also, the Lions will need running back Reggie Bush to do his thing, to wear down the Panther D.
Defensively, they need to keep Newton in the pocket while disrupting his footwork and throwing ability, and they will also need to keep him from running for big gains. Newton will be out to prove himself, but his ribs may not be fully healed and that could slow him down, especially if Nick Fairley and Ndamukong Suh can put some big hits on him early in the match up. How well the Lions D can contain Newton will be a key matchup in this one.
Newton can certainly run the ball, but he will be eager to get his own receivers off to a good start, particularly first-round draft pick Kelvin Benjamin, who had a strong outing in week 1 with six receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown.
No matter Benjamin, the Lions can't forget about Panther tight end Greg Olsen, who had eight catches for 83 yards against the Bucs. When teams concentrate on Benjamin on the perimeter, that leaves the middle of the field open for Olsen. Or, Carolina might opt to use DeAngelo Williams or Jonathan Stewart, out of the backfield on passing plays, too. Carolina has weapons of their own on offense, so they will exploit any weakness on defense the Lions give up.
To catch the game online, you can check out NFL Sunday Ticket. If you want to listen on the radio, the Panthers broadcast on WBT AM 1110 and the Lions broadcast on WXYT AM 1270. The game will be on the Fox Television Network with a 1 pm EST kickoff.
