Studs and Duds from Lions' Dominant Victory against Panthers
The Detroit Lions delivered another thorough performance Sunday, dispatching the Carolina Panthers 42-24.
Dan Campbell's team improved to 4-1 on the young season, and has emerged as legitimate contenders in the NFC, through a wire-to-wire effort.
Here are the studs and duds from the Lions' Week 5 victory..
STUD: EDGE Aidan Hutchinson
Hutchinson was once again dominant in Sunday's game. He started out with a bang, securing a one-handed interception on the second series of the game. On the play, he took a low hit, and limped to the sideline.
However, he returned to the game, and remained impactful. He recorded a sack in the second half, bringing his team-leading total to 4.5 through five games.
STUD: TE Sam LaPorta
LaPorta remains one of the best rookies on the offensive side of the ball. He scored twice on Sunday, including once on an impressive reverse flea-flicker in the second quarter.
He has proven to be a more-than-adequate replacement for T.J. Hockenson, revitalizing the production in the passing game from his position. He finished with three catches for 47 yards and two scores, in addition to multiple impressive blocks.
STUD: RB David Montgomery
Montgomery set the tone for the afternoon Sunday, rushing for a 42-yard touchdown on the team's opening offensive possession. Even without Jahmyr Gibbs, the veteran was able to anchor another productive day on the ground for the Lions.
He recorded his second consecutive 100-yard game, finishing with 109 yards and a score on 19 carries. He gave way in the fourth quarter to Craig Reynolds, who had 52 yards and his first touchdown of the season on seven carries.
DUD: WR Jameson Williams
Williams played plenty in his 2023 debut, but didn't record many meaningful contributions in the passing game. His first reception was a two-yard loss, and his second was a four-yard gain on which he slipped trying to burst upfield.
He also had a drop on his first target, a catchable ball over the middle of the field. On the bright side, Williams threw a strong block on Montgomery's touchdown run and should be a bigger factor in the offense against Tampa Bay in Week 6.
STUD: QB Jared Goff
Goff was dealing Sunday. He reverted to his turnover-free ways, snapping a three game streak of throwing an interception with a near-perfect day. His first half performance was particularly impressive, as he finished 13-of-17 with at least two incompletions coming as a result of drops.
He tossed three scores, two to LaPorta and one to Josh Reynolds. Goff finished 20-of-28, and logged a sterling passer rating of 132.4.
STUD: DB Will Harris
Without Brian Branch, Sunday offered an opportunity for Harris to shine. He took advantage, racking up nine tackles and a fumble recovery from the nickel position.
In addition to that production, he had a quarterback hurry and a pass breakup in the end zone in the second quarter. After rough showings in spot duty throughout the early part of the season, the win was a strong bounce-back showing for the fifth-year defensive back.
STUD: WR Josh Reynolds
With Amon-Ra St. Brown sidelined, Reynolds once again came up big for the Lions' passing game. He caught four passes for 76 yards and a score, the third of the season for him.
The savvy veteran has been a strong presence in Detroit's passing game throughout the young season. With concerns about the viability of the air attack without the team's top wideout, Reynolds picked up the slack.
He has logged at least 60 yards in four of five games this season, a sign that he is a legitimate weapon in Ben Johnson's passing attack.
STUD: LB Alex Anzalone
Anzalone once again anchored the Lions' defense. He produced a team-high 11 tackles, along with two quarterback hurries.
As Detroit has allotted snaps to its developing linebackers opposite him, Anzalone continues to be a strong player each week for the defense. He provides a stable presence at the second level for the Lions.
Elsewhere, Derrick Barnes had another strong game with six tackles. Rookie Jack Campbell had two solo stops, as well. The Lions once again held an opponent under 100 rushing yards, with the Panthers finishing with 99 yards on 23 carries.
