Recap: Lions stumble to finish line in 20-0 shutout loss to Panthers

Game summary

Matthew Stafford was bullied by the Carolina Panthers defensive line on Sunday, taking five sacks as the Detroit Lions were shutout 20-0 and amassed just 185 yards of total offense.

Former XFL star P.J. Walker started for Carolina and threw a touchdown pass in his first NFL start. Detroit intercepted Walker in the end zone twice, but was not able to capitalize on either turnover.

Detroit only took two penalties in the game, but its first one wiped a 51-yard touchdown off the board. The win snapped a five-game losing streak for Carolina.

Final leaders

Passing

DET - Matthew Stafford: 18/33, 178 yds.

CAR - P.J. Walker: 24/34, 258 yds., TD, 2 Int.

Rushing

DET - Adrian Peterson: 7 att., 18 yds.

CAR - Mike Davis: 19 att., 64 yds., TD

Receiving

DET - T.J. Hockenson: 4 rec., 68 yds.

CAR - D.J. Moore: 7 rec., 127 yds.

Panthers finish off shutout of Lions

Detroit takes over at the 25 with 4:57 to go in the fourth. The Lions trail 20-0.

A first-down screen to Kerryon Johnson is complete for a gain of 14.

Marvin Jones hauls in an 18-yard reception on the next play, bringing up first-and-10 at the Carolina 43.

Matthew Stafford throws complete to Jesse James for a gain of 3. Stafford is obliterated by the Panthers line for another sack and a 9-yard loss. A third-down throw to T.J. Hockenson is caught for 3 yards, bringing up fourth-and-13 at the Carolina 46.

Timeout #3 Detroit (2:55 4th)

The fourth-down throw to Jamal Agnew is broken up. Panthers ball.

Panthers 20, Lions 0 (2:51 4th)

Mike Davis rushes for 3 on first down, and Detroit can't stop the clock. This one will be official shortly. 2 more yards for Davis on second down.

**Two-minute warning**

Walker's tight end drops an easy throw to move the chains on third down. The Panthers line up for a punt and get Detroit to jump, which makes it fourth-and-inches. They then line up with their offense, and use the hard count to get the Lions to jump again. This one is over.

FINAL: Panthers 20, Lions 0

Panthers add to lead late in fourth quarter

The Panthers get it at Detroit's 22-yard-line after the turnover on downs.

Mike Davis rushes for 3 yards on first down.

Timeout #1 Detroit (6:12 4th)

Davis is stopped for no gain on second down.

Timeout #1 Carolina (5:26 4th)

A holding penalty makes it third-and-14. Rodney Smith rushes for 2 yards.

**Injury alert: Lions CB Jeff Okudah was hurt while making the tackle. He was escorted to the medical tent by the training staff.**

Joey Slye misses his first field-goal attempt, but Justin Coleman is flagged for running into the kicker. That's a 5-yard penalty, but it's still fourth down.

Joey Slye puts through a 37-yard field goal that should spell the end for Detroit.

Panthers 20, Lions 0 (4:57 4th)

Lions fail to snap shutout, turn ball over on downs

Detroit takes over at the 20 after the interception. The Lions trail 17-0 with 9:10 left in the game.

Matthew Stafford throws incomplete to Kerryon Johnson over the middle on first down. Stafford is hit by Derrick Brown while delivering a second-down incompletion. The pass on third down is caught for only 8. Have to go for it here, and they do. Stafford hits Jones again, this time for 4 yards to move the chains.

Brian Burns has the easiest sack of his life after both Taylor Decker and Kerryon Johnson let the Carolina EDGE blow into Stafford untouched. Stafford is sacked on the next play for a loss of 3. Stafford's throw to Johnson on third-and-20 is incomplete. 

Stafford's throw to the sideline is broken up on fourth down. Turnover on downs.

Panthers 17, Lions 0 (6:17 4th)

Lions intercept Walker in end zone for second time

Carolina takes over with great field position after Detroit missed a field goal on the previous drive. First-and-10 at the 41.

PJ. Walker immediately moves into Detroit territory with an 11-yard completion to Robby Anderson to the Detroit 44.

D.J. Moore then takes the end-around for a big gain to the Detroit 23, a gain of 21 yards.

Rodney Smith rushes up the middle for a pickup of 9. Mike Davis moves the chains with a 5-yard run. 

A delay-of-game sets up first-and-goal at the 14.

Mike Davis rushes for 3 yards on first down and 4 on second down. P.J. Walker is intercepted on third down by Desmond Trufant, and he steps out of bounds for a touchback. That's the second red-zone interception for the Lions today.

Panthers 17, Lions 0 (9:10 4th)

Prater misses field goal as Panthers hanging on to 17-0 shutout

Detroit takes over at the 25. The Lions trail 17-0 with just under two minutes to go in the third quarter.

Panthers rookie defensive tackle Derrick Brown is flagged for illegal use of hands on first down. It's first-and-10 at the 31.

Kerryon Johnson rushes for 4 on first down. Matthew Stafford continues to get Jamal Agnew involved, hitting him for a gain of 5. Stafford on third-and-1 throws to T.J. Hockenson out of play-action and it works to perfection for a gain of 35 to the Carolina 25.

Stafford is tackled at the line of scrimmage on the next play, bringing the third quarter to a close.

END 3RD: Panthers 17, Lions 0 

Stafford goes back to Agnew on second down, but the pass goes right through his hands. It's third-and-10: Stafford is blind-sided for a loss of 8.

Matt Prater misses a 51-yard field goal attempt by a decisive margin.

Panthers 17, Lions 0 (14:08 4th)

Panthers build three-score lead with Slye's 56-yarder

Carolina takes over at the 25 after forcing the punt.

P.J. Walker's first-down completion to Robby Anderson is caught, but for a loss of 3. Walker hits D.J. Moore on the next two plays for 11 and 12 yards, respectively, which leads to a Panthers first down at their own 45.

Mike Davis rushes for 3 yards. Walker hits Moore for a gain of 10 on second down to move the chains yet again. 

Walker fumbles on first down and recovers at the Detroit 43. No gain. Walker's second-down completion to Anderson again goes for a loss, this time 2 yards. It's third-and-12: Walker's pass is complete to Curtis Samuel for a gain of 7 to the Detroit 38.

Joey Slye crushes a 56-yard field goal to put the Panthers up three scores.

Panthers 17, Lions 0 (1:59 3rd)

Lions have touchdown overturned, punt ball away

Detroit takes over at the 25 after a touchback. The Lions trail 14-0 with 10:53 left in the third quarter. 

Jamal Agnew hauls in a first-down throw that's good for a yard, then catches a pass on the next play that goes for 4 yards. Matthew Stafford's throw to T.J. Hockenson on third down is picture perfect and is caught for a pickup of 19 to the 49, where Detroit will have a first down.

Stafford pitches to Kerryon Johnson, who throws back to Stafford, who throws deep to Marvin Jones for a 51-yard touchdown — that's nullified by an illegal formation penalty on the Lions. That's a 5-yard penalty. It's first-and-15 at the Detroit 44.

Marvin Hall picks up 5 on a first-down reception. Stafford can't connect with Agnew on second down, leading to a third-and-10 situation where Stafford is sacked for a loss of 6.

Jack Fox's punt is returned to the 25 of Carolina.

Panthers 14, Lions 0 (7:32 3rd)

Panthers take 14-0 lead in third on Walker's touchdown throw

Carolina takes over at the 34 with 14:07 left in the third quarter. The Panthers lead 7-0.

P.J. Walker on first down throws complete to Curtis Samuel for a gain of 4, then hits Robby Anderson for an 18-yard gain to the Detroit 44.

Walker's next throw is also a big one, and this time it's to D.J. Moore for a gain of 20 yards. Carolina is approaching the red zone.

The Panthers run some trickery that results in Moore throwing an incompletion to Walker on first down. Mike Davis runs for 7 yards on the next play.

Injury update: Lions CB Mike Ford is being examined for a concussion after walking off under his own power.

Samuel cruises past Desmond Trufant and gets open in the corner of the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown pass.

Panthers 14, Lions 0 (10:58 3rd)

Scoreless Lions go three-and-out to open second half

The Lions take over at their own 25 to start the second half. They trail the Panthers 7-0.

Matthew Stafford on first down throws complete to Marvin Hall for a gain of 5. His second-down pass is batted by a defender in pursuit. The throw to Marvin Jones on an out-route is unsuccessful, and the drive is already complete.

Injury alert: Lions CB Mike Ford is injured on the ensuing punt return and is now being tended to by the training staff.

Panthers 7, Lions 0 (14:16 4th)

Halftime leaders

Passing

DET - Matthew Stafford: 5/11, 54 yds.

CAR - P.J. Walker: 14/22, 157 yds., Int.

Rushing

DET - Adrian Peterson: 7 att., 18 yds.

CAR - Mike Davis: 8 att., 27 yds.

Receiving

DET - Marvin Jones: 1 rec., 21 yds.

CAR - D.J. Moore: 3 rec., 74 yds.

Lions defense maintains 7-0 deficit before halftime

Carolina takes over the 11, which is the best starting field position it's had in a couple drives. The Panthers lead 7-0 with 1:53 left in the first half and two timeouts. 

P.J. Walker on first down throws complete to D.J. Moore for a gain of 8. A false-start penalty makes it second-and-7, which Carolina converts on a 7-yard completion to Mike Davis.

Walker's next throw is broken up by Desmond Trufant. Justin Coleman gets spun around by Curtis Samuel on second down, and the pass is completed for a gain of 15 yards.

It'll be first-and-10 for the Panthers at the Carolina 37. There are 34 seconds left in the half.

Jayron Kearse nearly intercepts a ball thrown behind the receiver on first down. Walker takes off on the next play and picks up a first down with a gain of 12, but it's called back for illegal hands to the face on Carolina. 

Walker takes a shot down the sideline that's overthrown and falls incomplete. On third-and-20 the completion to Robby Anderson is good for 7 yards.

Timeout #1 Detroit (0:12 2nd)

Matthew Stafford takes a knee to end the half once Detroit gets possession.

END 2ND: Panthers 7, Lions 0 

Lions punt from Carolina territory late in first half

Detroit takes over at its own 35 with 4:16 left in the half.

Adrian Peterson on first down rushes for a gain of 2. Matthew Stafford on second down throws complete to T.J. Hockenson for a gain of 11 to the Detroit 48.

Stafford misses to Jesse James over the middle on first down. Kerryon Johnson runs over a tackler on his way to an 8-yard carry on second down. A pitch to Johnson is snuffed out by the Panthers for a loss of 1. Will the Lions go for it on fourth-and-3 at the 45?

**Two-minute warning**

They will not go for it. Jack Fox's punt is fair caught at the 11.

Panthers 7, Lions 0 (1:53 2nd)

Lions get ball back near end of first half

Carolina once again takes over at the 10.

P.J. Walker on first down throws complete to Robby Anderson for a gain of 6. Mike Davis moves the chains with a 5-yard pickup on second down.

Walker is flushed from the pocket on first down, tries to make something happen, but is forced out at the original line of scrimmage for no gain. Walker throws complete to Curtis Samuel on second down for a gain of 3, but misses to Samuel deep on third down to end the drive.

Jamal Agnew returns the punt to Detroit's 35.

Panthers 7, Lions 0 (4:16 2nd)

Lions forced to punt away again as third-down offense continues to stumble

Detroit takes over at the 34. The Lions trail Carolina 7-0 with 9:42 left in the second quarter.

Matthew Stafford on first down scrambles for a pickup of 6 yards. He then hits Quintez Cephus on the next play for a gain of 9 to the Detroit 49.

Adrian Peterson rushes for 4 yards on first down. He's stuffed on the right-side edge on second down, no gain. Stafford throws incomplete to T.J. Hockenson on third down, and the Lions will punt once again.

Jack Fox's punt is again fair caught at the 10.

Panthers 7, Lions 0 (6:59 2nd)

Lions force three-and-out deep in Carolina territory

Carolina takes over at its own 10. The Panthers lead 7-0 with 11:20 to go in the second quarter.

Rodney Smith fumbles on a first-down carry, but it's recovered by Carolina at the 9. P.J. Walker misses his next pass to Curtis Samuel, and hits Samuel on third down for a pickup of only 4.

Jamal Agnew waves for a fair catch on the punt at Detroit's 34.

Panthers 7, Lions 0 (9:42 2nd)

Lions punt ball away near midfield after interception

Detroit takes over at the 20 after the interception by Amani Oruwariye.

Matthew Stafford on first down hits Marvin Hall for a gain of 6. He then gets the ball to Marvin Jones on second down for a pickup of 21 yards to the Detroit 47.

Kerryon Johnson now gets the carry for Detroit and picks up 4 on first down. He's stopped for 1 on second down. The third-down screen to Johnson is tipped and falls incomplete.

Jack Fox's punt is fielded via fair catch at the Carolina 10.

Panthers 7, Lions 0 (11:20 2nd)

Oruwariye comes up with huge interception in end zone

Detroit takes over at the 25 after a touchback.

Adrian Peterson rushes for 2 yards on first down and 3 on second down. The third-down snap is on the carpet, Matthew Stafford can't corral it, and it's picked up by the Panthers at the Detroit 22.

Panthers 7, Lions 0 (0:56 1st)

It's Panthers ball, first-and-10 at the 22.

Mike Davis on first down rushes for 9 yards. Rodney Smith's 4-yard carry on second down will make it first-and-goal at the 9 to start the second quarter.

END 1ST: Panthers 7, Lions 0 

After two short plays, P.J. Walker is intercepted by Amani Oruwariye in the end zone, and that's a huge interception for the Lions. The threat is neutralized.

Panthers 7, Lions 0 (13:43 2nd)

Panthers take 7-0 lead late in first quarter

Carolina takes over at its own 5.

Mike Davis on first down is stuffed fora yard. He picks up 8 yards on a second-down reception, then rushes for 2 yards and a new set of downs on the next play.

Rodney Smith is wrapped up for a 1-yard gain on first down. P.J. Walker then gets D.J. Moore involved, hitting him on second down for a pickup of 14 and then going deep to Moore on the next play for a pickup of 52 yards — over the head of Jeff Okudah — to the Detroit 17.

Walker makes it goal-to-go with a 10-yard pass to Curtis Samuel to the 7.

Davis rushes for 4 yards on first down, bringing up second-and-goal at the 3. Walker is stuffed just short of the goal line on a quarterback draw play.

Timeout #1 Carolina (2:24 1st)

Davis gets into the end zone on third down for the game's first points.

Panthers 7, Lions 0 (2:21 1st)

Three straight incompletions lead to Lions punt on opening drive

The Lions take over at the 20. They'll look to break a scoreless tie here in the early goings.

Adrian Peterson on first down rushes for a gain of 4 on first down and 3 yards on second down. Kerryon Johnson hauls in a 7-yard reception on third down to keep the chains moving, first-and-10 at the 34.

Matthew Stafford's first-down throw to Quintez Cephus is broken up, the second-down throw to Peterson is dropped, and the third-down incompletion is upheld because of a holding penalty on Frank Ragnow.

Carolina receives a holding penalty on the punt return. It'll take over at the 5.

Lions 0, Panthers 0 (8:24 1st)

Lion get stop in own territory to open game

The Panthers take over first, starting at the 25.

P.J. Walker on first down throws complete to Robby Anderson for a pickup of 9. Rodney Smith rushes for 5 on the next play.

He gets 3 to the 42 on first down. Mike Davis then picks up 2 on second down. Walker throws complete to Curtis Samuel on third-and-5 for a completion of 12, bringing up first-and-10 at the Detroit 44.

Walker misses the target on first down, incomplete. Smith picks up a yard on second down. Walker can't complete a third-down throw to D.J. Moore, and the threat is neutralized.

The punt goes for a touchback..

Lions 0, Panthers 0 (10:35 1st)

Pregame

The Detroit Lions play the Carolina Panthers on Sunday still hanging on to hopes of making a run at the playoffs. Follow the action here with live updates throughout the game by Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News.

Lions at Panthers

Kickoff: 1 p.m., Sunday, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.

TV/radio: Fox/760

Records: Lions 4-5, Panthers 3-7

Line: Lions by 2.5

More coverage

Five things to watch: Lions at Panthers

Lions rule out D-linemen Hand, Bryant; elevate DT Herron, WR Sanu

Detroit News scouting report: Lions at Panthers

Detroit News predictions: Lions at Panthers

'Full-speed' approach makes Lions' Romeo Okwara one of NFL's best pass rushers

Lions' Jeff Okudah feeling some relief from his rookie 'growing pains'