The Detroit Lions are moving on from the 2023 preseason with a general feeling that they have prepared themselves to play games that count and make good on projections that they are favorites to win the NFC North.
What we learned from Friday night's 26-17 road win over the Carolina Panthers is that the Lions have depth at key positions.
That's a problem for GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell. They have to make the decisions on who makes the roster and who doesn't.
"This is the hardest time of the year," Campbell said in a postgame interview on 97.1 The Ticket. "This is tough when you lay it all on the line. I'm so proud of the way these guys fought.
"We had some guys in there playing defensive end for us who are normally defensive tackles. They just gave everything they had. That defense, they hung in there."
Among the things we learned with backups playing Friday night included the following:
It was worth the wait to sign Teddy Bridgewater as the backup quarterback; the secondary that was strengthened by the draft and free agency is even stronger with the emergence of some young players; the offensive line – without any starters playing – was improved.
We start with Bridgewater: The offensive line held strong. That allowed the quarterbacks to operate more easily. Except for a 70-yard TD pass to rookie wide receiver Antoine Green with 30 seconds left in the first half, his stats were average – 13 of 22 for 178 yards and the TD.
The TD pass to Green was on the money. That allowed him to catch it in stride and sprint to the end zone.
"We knew it would be just a matter of time until he got his feel," Campbell said.
Secondary: Three plays were converted into 17 points, as follows:
- Interception in the end zone by cornerback Chase Lucas with 30 seconds left leads to Bridgewater's TD pass to Green.
- Forced fumble by cornerback Khalil Dorsey is recovered at Panthers' 27. Lions kick a field goal for a 20-10 lead.
- Interception and return for a TD by cornerback Steven Gilmore late in the fourth quarter to clinch the win.
View photos from the Detroit Lions vs. Carolina Panthers preseason Week 3 game at Bank of America Stadium on Friday, Aug. 25 in Charlotte, NC.
Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (17) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Cameron Sutton (1) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) and Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Clark (17) meet before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (10) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jason Moore (29) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Trinity Benson (19) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs (96) before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Chase Cota (88), Detroit Lions safety Brady Breeze (35), and Detroit Lions quarterback Adrian Martinez (18) before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Tracy Walker (21), Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42), and Detroit Lions cornerback Will Harris (25) walk out for the coin toss before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) kicks off during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Romeo Okwara (95) and Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston (41) sack Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (17) and Detroit Lions offensive lineman Brad Cecil (64) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Brad Cecil (64), Detroit Lions guard Kayode Awosika (74), and Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (17) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Will Harris (25) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Chase Cota (88) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) scores a touchdown during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) scores a touchdown during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) scores a touchdown during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Germain Ifedi (70) and Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) celebrate after a touchdown during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Tracy Walker (21) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Brandon Joseph (40) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Brady Breeze (35) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green (80) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Trinity Benson (19) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75), Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (17), and Detroit Lions offensive lineman Brad Cecil (64) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Germain Ifedi (70) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Nowaske (59) and Detroit Lions safety Brady Breeze (35) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Brady Breeze (35) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dylan Drummond (83) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Julian Okwara (99) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Chase Lucas (27) celebrates after an interception during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dylan Drummond (83) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green (80) scores a touchdown during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dylan Drummond (83), Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green (80), and Detroit Lions tight end James Mitchell (82) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green (80) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green (80) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Dylan Drummond (83) celebrate after a touchdown during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Brady Breeze (35) recovers a fumble during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Julian Okwara (99) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Julian Okwara (99) and Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston (41) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Darrell Daniels (86) and Detroit Lions quarterback Adrian Martinez (18) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Devine Ozigbo (30) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75), Detroit Lions offensive lineman Bobby Hart (51), Detroit Lions quarterback Adrian Martinez (18), Detroit Lions center Alex Mollette (61), and Detroit Lions tackle Darrin Paulo (69) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Connor Galvin (76) and Detroit Lions running back Benny Snell (38) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Chase Cota (88) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Adrian Martinez (18) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Chris Smith (92) and Detroit Lions defensive lineman Brodric Martin (98) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Adrian Martinez (18) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions long snapper Scott Daly (47) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Brady Breeze (35), Detroit Lions cornerback Chase Lucas (27), and Detroit Lions safety Scott Nelson (48) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Colby Richardson (24) breaks up a pass during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Cory Durden (90) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Brady Breeze (35) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Daniel Helm (43) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Steven Gilmore (36) intercepts a pass during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Steven Gilmore (36) intercepts a pass during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Steven Gilmore (36) intercepts a pass during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Offensive line: Probably the most improved unit from the previous week to the win over Carolina.
"Protection was outstanding today," Campbell said. "Last week we got hit on a bunch of the games – stunts and games in the passing game.
"It all slowed down this week. We handled it so much better. That's a sign of growth."
