The total in this game is understandably high and frankly, we're wondering why it's not even higher. Even casual NFL fans know that the Detroit Lions have a problem on pass defense, and they just haven't been good for a very long time. This season they’re 28th in opponent completion percentage and last in passing yards per game (299.3). Although a healthy Aidan Hutchinson helps, Detroit still needs to blitz far too much to get home to the opposing quarterback. When they don't and an enemy thrower has time, they can torch their defense.
If the Panthers have shown anything through three weeks, it's that they have a legitimate passing attack. While their rushing efforts have been mostly ignored, they still average 4.3 yards per rush, good for 10th overall. Still, the Panthers rely heavily on Bryce Young's arm and so far it is working. At 2-1 in a pitiful NFC South, the Panthers are shining through if not solely because of their production. The fact that Bryce Young leads the NFL in passing yards is a shocking development compared to previous years (last season, for example, Young threw for just 3,011 yards in 16 games). He’s already on pace for a 5,311 yard season in 2026. He’ll have a great opportunity to inflate those numbers even more against Detroit.
The Lions and Panthers are alike in this way. They both have proficient air attacks and they both end up in high-scoring affairs thanks to vulnerable defenses. Detroit is dead-last, permitting 31.7 points per game, while Carolina allows 27.7 (26th). Considering the Lions’ injuries in their secondary and the Panthers’ issues at the point of attack, we doubt this matchup will present anything different.
Lions vs Panthers best bet: Over 50.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable to 51.5.
