3 Bright Spots From the Lions’ 32-26 Loss to the Panthers

Yes, the Detroit Lions’ defense got absolutely embarrassed on national television, and yes, Detroit has fallen to 2–2. However, there were still three promising things I noticed from this game that could help the Lions moving forward.

Before we dive into the positives from Sunday’s loss, let’s discuss the good news Detroit just received. Brian Branch and Cade Mays will begin practicing this week after having their 21-day return windows opened. I expect both players to make their full returns following the Lions’ Week 6 bye, with a chance that either player could see limited snaps against the Cardinals this week. While Mays won’t provide an immediate boost to the defense, Branch certainly will.

With that in mind, here are my top three takeaways from the Lions’ loss to the Panthers.

1. Isaac TeSlaa and Jameson Williams find their footing

Both Jameson Williams and Isaac TeSlaa had their best games of the season against the Panthers. Each player received eight targets, with Williams recording six receptions for 102 yards despite missing a deep pass from Jared Goff that could have resulted in a 70-yard touchdown.

Williams led the Lions in receiving yards, finally surpassing the 100-yard mark while recording a long reception of 49 yards. If he can carry this momentum into the coming weeks, he could become an even bigger playmaker in Detroit’s offense.

The same can be said for TeSlaa, who recorded the longest reception of the game with a 57-yard catch. Unfortunately, the big play resulted in only a field goal for Detroit. Still, TeSlaa set a career high with 95 receiving yards on four receptions and eight targets.

TeSlaa provides another dimension to the Lions’ offense, giving Detroit an additional weapon when its primary playmakers need a break or aren’t having their best games. Both receivers taking a step forward could be significant for an offense looking to find consistency.

2. Alim McNeill is officially back

Alim McNeill made his presence felt on Carolina’s opening drive with a phenomenal bull rush against the Panthers’ offensive line that resulted in a sack.

McNeill finished the game with one sack, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits and five quarterback hurries. He also recorded the fourth-highest PFF defensive grade on the team, earning a 73.3 overall defensive grade, a 65.5 run-defense grade and a 70.5 pass-rush grade.

McNeill now has three sacks on the season, just half a sack behind Aidan Hutchinson. He has recorded a sack in every game except Detroit’s matchup against the Bills.

Having a healthy McNeill back in the lineup is a major boost for a Lions defense that desperately needs more consistent production up front. Detroit has generated 79 quarterback pressures this season, with only the Atlanta Falcons recording more at 87.

McNeill’s ability to collapse the pocket and create pressure from the interior gives Detroit another disruptive presence alongside Hutchinson. If he can maintain this level of production, the Lions’ pass rush could become a much bigger strength moving forward.

3. Jake Bates didn’t miss a single kick

After going 27-for-34 on field goals last season and missing two extra points, Jake Bates appears to have turned things around in 2026.

Bates has been perfect this season, including a 4-for-4 performance against the Panthers, with a long of 54 yards. He has yet to miss a field goal and is currently 3-for-3 on attempts from 40 yards or longer.

We all know Bates has the ability to deliver in clutch situations, but he experienced some struggles last season, missing several makeable field goals. Through the first four games of this season, however, he has looked much more reliable.

Not only have the results been perfect, but Bates has also looked confident with his kicks, consistently sending the ball straight through the uprights.

Special teams can make a significant difference in close games, and having a dependable kicker is especially important for a Lions team that has already played several competitive matchups. If Bates continues this level of production, his confidence should only grow as the season progresses.