Cris Collinsworth did not hold back for the Lions sake.
During the “Sunday Night Football” matchup between the Panthers and Lions, the NBC analyst did not hold back when speaking about Detroit’s final offensive drive as they trailed 32-26 with just over two minutes left in regulation.
After just four plays, the Lions went out on downs. Quarterback Jared Goff needed 13 yards to keep their chances alive, yet his pass up the middle to Isaac TeSlaa was short for 12 yards.
“I would have bet any amount of money that you wanted to bet that they were going to get at least three or four first downs as easy as they could make them,” Collinsworth said as the Panthers took over. “You just had to be willing to take them. The quick throws. Let your great athletes catch it and run with it and make a play.
“That was a disaster. That possession by the Detroit Lions was a disaster.”
The game was tied at halftime, but the Lions a tough time answering Bryce Young and Tetairoa McMillan throughout the night.
Young consistently found his star receiver for 192 yards and two touchdowns.
After the Lions cut down the Panthers’ lead following Sam LaPorta’s touchdown with 3:38 left in the game, McMillan came back with a toe-tapping reception on the sideline for a big first down to help the Panthers keep possession and run the clock.
The drive ended in a sack and the Panthers were forced to punt, but the Lions could not get a first down when starting at their own 13 yard-line with 2:12 on the clock.
Goff finished the game with 412 yards and a touchdown, and the Lions walk away with a 2-2 record.
“We got ourselves in a hole there, which is frustrating,” coach Dan Campbell said. “At the end of the day, we had our opportunities. Our defense came up with a stop and we had the ball with about with two minutes left to go win the game. And we just couldn’t get it done.”
The Lions will travel to Arizona (1-3) in Week 5 while the Panthers have a bye week before facing the Eagles (2-2) in Philadelphia on Oct. 18.
