How to watch Lions vs. Panthers 2014 online, TV schedule, radio and more

Two NFC foes square off with Detroit’s potent offense facing Carolina’s stout defense.

Sep 14, 2014, 12:00 PM UTC

Gregory Shamus

Cam Newton will make his debut Sunday when the Carolina Panthers host the Detroit Lions at Bank of America Stadium.

Newton missed the season-opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers recovering from a fractured rib, the first time Newton hasn't been able to play since entering the NFL in 2011. Even without him, Carolina was able to earn a key NFC South victory on the road.

Matthew Stafford was sublime in Detroit's 35-14 beating of the New York Giants, throwing for 346 yards and two touchdowns. Calvin Johnson was on the receiving end of both scores, accounting for 164 yards and seven receptions. Golden Tate appears to fit into the offense fine, catching six balls for 91 yards. The only concern on offense was the run game, which netted two yards per carry.

How to watch

Where: Bank of America Stadium
When: 1 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Announcers: Chris Myers and Ronde Barber
Radio: Lions local listings | Panthers local listings
Online streaming: NFL Sunday Ticket, Verizon NFL Mobile

Odds

The Panthers are currently two-and-a-half point favorites against the Lions at home. The over/under is set at 43.5. You can check out details at Oddshark.

Nuts and Bolts

Despite the absence of Newton, Carolina improved to 1-0 behind the solid play of backup quarterback Derek Anderson. Anderson was 24-of-34 for 230 yards and a pair of touchdowns while DeAngelo Williams rushed for 72 yards. The Panthers got a great performance from rookie Kelvin Benjamin, who caught six passes for 92 yards and a touchdown in his professional debut.

The Panthers' defense allowed 102 rushing yards on six yards per carry, but picked off Luke McCown twice and sacked him three times while recovering a Bobby Rainey fumble. The Panthers will need that type of performance against the pass to beat the Lions, who dominated the Giants through the air.