The Carolina Panthers have been a first-half team all season. Once again, they have a lead after two quarters. They’re up 7-0 on the Detroit Lions at home. We’ll see if they can hang onto this lead for a change.
Here’s how things are going so far.
Offense
P.J. Walker ran hot and cold in the first half of his first NFL start. Early on, he threw a few well-placed passes, including one to Curtis Samuel for a first down. Walker also showed off his long ball, finding D.J. Moore for a 52-yard gain. There was some ugliness, too. At one point he stared down Moore in the end zone and threw an interception. He nearly threw another pick just before the half. Walker is 14/22 for 157 yards. Carolina has also embraced the running game, with Mike Davis once again showing off his elusiveness. He has 27 yards and a touchdown on eight carries.
Defense
It’s hard to tell how much of this is Detroit struggling and how much is the defense improving, but in any case this was Carolina’s best defensive half of the season to date. They have stopped Detroit on third down they’re just 1-6) and shut down their rushing attack, holding Adrian Peterson to 18 yards on seven rushes and the Lions to 2.5 yards per carry. Cornerback Rasul Douglas has flashed in coverage, coming through with a couple key stops. To be completely fair, Matt Stafford looks like he’s being severely limited by his thumb injury. He is just 5/11 for 54 yards.
The Lions receive to begin the third quarter.
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