Detroit Lions vs. Carolina Panthers: Twitter Reaction and Full Post Game Quotes

The Detroit Lions ventured on the road for the first time, heading to Charlotte and to the host Carolina Panthers.

It was a sloppy affair throughout for both sides. 

Detroit started out setting the world on fire offensively, moving the ball with relative ease. Unfortunately, they were their own worst enemy:

"

Jed Collins recovered a Golden Tate fumble. #Lions lost a first down in the process.

— Pride Of Detroit (@PrideOfDetroit) September 14, 2014"

"

Joique Bell has put the ball on the ground twice in this game. First was an incompletion, second a fumble. Worth monitoring his touches ROW

— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) September 14, 2014"

Detroit's defense was strong, bottling up the Carolina offense. 

"

Both teams with 2 possession in first quarter. #Lions had 126 yards. Panthers 15. Score: 0-0. #DETvsCAR

— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) September 14, 2014"

The biggest problem in the first half, however, was the kicking...

"

Nate Freese wide right again on 49-yard FG. Missed from same distance in first quarter. Aim left!!!???

— Mike O'Hara (@MikeOHaraNFL) September 14, 2014"

Carolina took a 6-0 lead into the half despite Detroit largely dictating the action. Their own kicker had no problems with the Bank of America Stadium turf.

"

.@GrahamGano's 53-yard field goal is good! The #Panthers take a 6-0 lead with 1:11 left in the first half. #DETvsCAR

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) September 14, 2014"

The Lions showed some life early in the third quarter, mounting an impressive drive capped off by a touchdown to an unusual suspect:

"

#Lions FB Jed Collins scores a 1-yard TD. The PAT is good and Detroit takes a 7-6 lead over Carolina with 9:28 left in the 3rd quarter.

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) September 14, 2014"

How long has it been since Collins last scored?

"

That's Collins' fifth career receiving TD and his first since 2012. #DETvsCAR #OnePride

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 14, 2014"

Alas, that was the end of anything positive for Detroit in this game. There was a whole lot of "same old Lions" being bantered about on the Detroit radio broadcast and in texts from several different Lions fans. 

Indeed it was. From the bad old version of Matthew Stafford...

"

#Lions went three-and-out and dodged two interceptions in the process. Yikes.

— Pride Of Detroit (@PrideOfDetroit) September 14, 2014"

...to last year's late-season nemesis, the dreaded turnovers:

"

#Lions fumble the kickoff return. #Panthers recover. Gano got it... ha!

— Nathan Conley (@NathanConley) September 14, 2014"

It was an ugly second half, mercifully ending with a 24-7 Panthers victory. 

Coach Jim Caldwell harped on the turnovers in a postgame interview with Lions radio broadcaster Jim Brandstatter. He mentioned "you can't turn the ball over on the road, especially you know in the red zone."

The Lions finished with three giveaways and failed to record a single takeaway. Carolina has done a fine job of protecting the ball: 

"

Panthers have committed zero turnovers in two games.

— scott_fowler (@scott_fowler) September 14, 2014"

The Lions just cannot expect to overcome a minus-3 turnover ratio. It forced Stafford to throw the ball more than designed. He attempted 48 passes, netting just 253 yards after subtracting the four Carolina sacks. 

Caldwell noted that the offense was "not quite clicking." That was obvious on one controversial play. 

Stafford looked deep for Calvin Johnson on the first play from scrimmage after a Carolina punt. Facing bracket coverage and additional help closing to the front, No. 9 uncorked it anyway. The results were disastrous.  

Here is how two different Detroit writers saw the exact same play:

"

Stafford can't force the ball to Calvin like that. #Lions at #Panthers

— Paula Pasche (@paulapasche) September 14, 2014"

and

"

Stafford takes a shot to Calvin deep and it's intercepted. Returned to 30. Nice play by the defender on tip. Don't mind the throw. #DETvsCAR

— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) September 14, 2014"

The postgame crew on Detroit's ABC affiliate featured hosts Tom Leyden and Rob Rubick debating this before agreeing to disagree. 

In a postgame interview broadcast on the Lions' radio network, left guard Rob Sims talked about the pulse of the team. He said "it felt like we played good against a real good team. They made plays when we didn't, that's it."

That is a fairly good summation of this game for Detroit. So is this:

"

There is no worse feeling than watching your team beat itself.

— SandmanLions (@Sandman7773) September 14, 2014"

There was more negative news on the injury front. Rookie cornerback Nevin Lawson appears headed for injured reserve with an injury that left him in obvious pain as he was carted off. 

"

#Lions were down to 4 CBs, after losing Bill Bentley. Now rookie CB Nevin Lawson dislocated foot and is having surgery now.

— Paula Pasche (@paulapasche) September 14, 2014"

No other injury issues were reported upon immediately after the game. 

Expect some heavy cornerback activity with the weekly workouts later this week. Don't be surprised if Detroit also changes kickers before next week's game at Ford Field against the Green Bay Packers. 

With Minnesota losing at home to New England, both the Lions and Vikings stand at 1-1 in the NFC North. Green Bay is playing the New York Jets, while the Chicago Bears face off against the San Francisco 49ers later on Sunday. Both those teams enter their Week 2 contests at 0-1. 

You know what that means, folks...the Detroit Lions will be no worse than tied for first even after the disheartening loss. Next week offers a chance to pick up a critical division win.