Panthers (3-1) at Lions (3-1)

TV: Sunday, 1, Fox (Kenny Albert, Charles Davis, Pam Oliver)

The matchup: Lions coordinator Teryl Austin’s defensive unit has 11 takeaways through four games — tied for the NFL lead and only three shy of its 2016 total. Detroit’s defense held Minnesota to 30% on third-down conversions but converted only 23% on offense. Carolina, like the Vikings, has a top-10 third-down unit and the ability to take away the Lions’ playmakers. For a club that repeatedly has leaned on QB Matthew Stafford, the defense and run game complementing him is a wonderful development for coach Jim Caldwell. It’s no coincidence that Panthers QB Cam Newton’s breakout as a passer in last week’s win vs. the Patriots coincided with his most efficient rushing day in more than a year (8 rushes, 44 yards and a TD).