Turnovers Cost Lions in Madden Simulation Loss to Panthers
Jared Goff threw a costly interception late in the fourth quarter, leading to the Detroit Lions' 23-21 loss to the Carolina Panthers in a Madden 23 simulation of their Week 5 matchup.
Its Vikk Simulations updated the rosters on the popular EA Sports video game to match where teams currently stand, and then simulated the contest.
Goff threw three interceptions on the day, including a fourth-quarter mistake that led directly to Carolina's go-ahead field goal with 2:00 to play.
The offense would get one last opportunity, after the Panthers took the lead. However, Goff's fourth-down pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown was broken up to cement the loss.
The Lions scored first, taking the lead on a 9-yard scamper by rookie Jahmyr Gibbs. Carolina answered early in the second quarter, when former Lions wideout DJ Chark caught a short touchdown pass from top pick Bryce Young.
The Lions' response drive was halted in the red zone, as Goff tossed his first interception. The Panthers couldn't capitalize, and punted back to Detroit.
On the heels of a fourth-down conversion, the Lions took the lead before the half, on a scoring strike from Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Carolina then scored 10 unanswered to gain its first advantage of the day. Detroit struck back on a touchdown of its own. Goff hit St. Brown for 57 yards to put the Lions deep in enemy territory, and Gibbs finished the job with his second touchdown run of the afternoon.
The fourth quarter belonged to the Panthers, which used two Lions turnovers to take the lead with two field goals.
Goff's final interception came inside his own 20, with the Panthers opting to kick the game-winning field goal after failing to get a first down.
The Lions converted two first downs on their final possession, but came up empty on a deep shot on fourth-and-7.
