Panthers Will Be 'Pain in the Ass' for Lions
As they continue their late-season surge, the Detroit Lions are gearing up for a tough test Saturday against the Carolina Panthers.
Dan Campbell’s team currently sits at 7-7, a half-game out of the playoffs in the NFC. The Panthers are also contending for a playoff spot, as their 5-9 record is one game back of the NFC South-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Prior to coming to Detroit, Campbell was an assistant with the New Orleans Saints. As a result, he’s had plenty of experience coaching against the Panthers during his time on the sidelines.
This familiarity has left an impression on him, and he knows what his team is up against when it takes the field Saturday.
“This is a good opponent, they’ve been in a lot of close games,” Campbell said. “I think coach (Steve) Wilks has done a great job. I’ve known him from afar for a while in that division. When he was the defensive coordinator, secondary at Carolina, I was in New Orleans, and they were always a pain in the ass.”
Campbell praised several players on the Panthers’ roster, including Derrick Brown, Brian Burns and Jaycee Horn. On offense, Detroit’s head coach said he’s aware of the threat posed by Carolina’s stable of running backs, plus wide receiver D.J. Moore.
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“Offensively, they have an identity,” Campbell said. “They want to run the football, they want to play-action pass. This left tackle comes off the rock, this O-line comes off the rock. They’ve got a stable of backs that are aggressive, downhill, and then Moore’s dangerous. They’ve got a couple tight ends that are good players. Moore’s a dangerous receiver. So, look, we’ve got our hands full.”
Elliott’s status in doubt
The Lions are preparing to be without one of their top defenders in Saturday’s game. Safety DeShon Elliott left Sunday’s win over the New York Jets with a shoulder injury, and recent tests haven’t come back in favor of him taking the field Saturday.
“I would say, right now, he’s looking like he probably won’t be able to make it,” Campbell said.
Campbell was unsure about whether the injury would be something that holds the fourth-year defensive back out multiple weeks, but added that the injury, “doesn’t look very promising.”
Elliott, a Texas product, is currently second on the team in tackles with 91, and has recorded a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception.
Detroit's second-year head coach mentioned C.J. Moore and Ifeatu Melifonwu as possible replacements, when asked about Elliott’s status on Monday.
“Certainly, C.J’s done, he’s served in that role,” Campbell explained. “And, we’ll look at him. We still have Iffy as well, and it’ll be the combination of, man, who gives us the best opportunity defensively, but also special teams and the team in general. Let’s put our guys in positions that are gonna help our team the most. So, we’ve got a couple of options, as we move forward.”
Notes
As the Lions have compiled six wins in seven games, pressure has mounted, with regards to their playoff hopes. Campbell reiterated that his team’s composure will allow them to handle the pressure coming with the final three games of the regular season.
Campbell mentioned the importance of having veteran players such as Jared Goff, Michael Brockers, Jamaal Williams and Alex Anzalone, each of whom has played in key, late-season games.
The second-year head coach also emphasized the importance of the team taking advantage of its opportunity.
“The stakes go higher, and our temperature’s gotta go down,” Campbell said. “That’s how we have to handle it.”
