Top Five Lions Defensive Plays Against Panthers

As part of a new series with Gillette ProGlide, each week we will take a look back the Detroit Lions' top five defensive plays from their previous game. The first post in this series begins with the Lions/Panthers game, which had several turnovers that are part of this series.

No. 5 - Kyle Vanden Bosch's eight-yard sack on Cam Newton in fourth quarter

With the Lions leading 28-27, the Panthers got the ball back and picked up a first down at their own 37-yard line. They had hopes of retaking the lead with a field goal or a touchdown, but the Lions defense had other ideas. Thanks in part to Vanden Bosch sacking Newton for a loss of eight yards, the drive quickly stalled and the Panthers were forced to punt.

No. 4 - Stephen Tulloch's interception of Cam Newton in fourth quarter

With the Lions up two touchdowns and the game virtually over, Tulloch ended any thoughts of a miracle finish by picking off Newton. He took the interception back nine yards before going to the ground, giving Matthew Stafford and company the chance to take a knee to run out the clock and finish off the game.

No. 3 - Eric Wright's interception of Cam Newton in first quarter

After Stafford was picked off on the third play of the game, the Panthers had the ball at Detroit's 27-yard line. At the very least, it looked like they were going to take a 3-0 lead to start the game, but thanks to some pressure on Newton, his pass sailed right into the arms of Detroit's Eric Wright. Although Carolina went on to start with a 10-0 lead anyway, the Wright pick kept the start from being even worse than it was.

No. 2 - DeAndre Levy's interception of Cam Newton in third quarter

On the first drive after the Lions took their first lead of the game, the Panthers moved the ball into Lions territory pretty quickly. Detroit, after forcing a couple stops to start the half, needed to make a play to put an end to this possession. Thanks to Ndamukong Suh blowing up the Panthers O-line and putting a hit on Newton, that's exactly what happened. Newton made a bad throw and Levy made a leaping interception to give possession back to the Lions.

No. 1 - Chris Harris' interception of Cam Newton in fourth quarter

Late in the fourth quarter, the Lions took a 42-35 lead. On the very next play after the touchdown, Chris Harris picked off Newton and returned the interception 19 yards to the Carolina 23. The pick was made possible by Tulloch getting a hand on the ball, and it set up Kevin Smith to put the game out of reach with another touchdown only three plays later.