The Carolina Panthers (1-0) will take on the Detroit Lions (1-0) in Charlotte, North Carolina for the Panthers' home opener. The goal for both teams is to keep the momentum going. This is the first time the Lions and Panthers have faced off since 2011. The Lions won that match 49-35 in a high scoring shootout.
Detroit is led by the combination of Calvin Johnson and quarterback Matthew Stafford. Stafford went 22 for 32 in his first game of the season against the New York Giants. He threw for a total of 346 yards and three total touchdowns. Calvin Johnson did most of his work in the first quarter. He caught seven passes adding up to 164 yards and two touchdowns. Reggie Bush had only nine carries for 15 yards and will be looking to do far better in the second game of the season.
Carolina was led by back-up quarterback Derek Anderson against Tampa Bay in week one. He finished 24 for 34 with 230 yards and two touchdowns. He will be on the bench and Cam Newton will start for the Panthers after missing last week's game to protect his ribs. DeAngelo Williams rushed the ball 14 times for 72 yards in week one. Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen combined for 14 receptions adding up to 175 yards and two touchdowns in the season opener.
The story line that will probably overshadow the game is that defensive end Greg Hardy will be active for Sunday's game. Hardy has been convicted of assaulting his girlfriend, but has not been disciplined by the NFL or Carolina Panthers. This is in the shadow of the Ray Rice scandal that has enveloped the NFL this week. Hardy's appearance on Sunday will do nothing to quell the controversy.