'SNF' takeaways: Bryce Young leads Panthers to upset win over Lions

The NBC broadcast noted that Detroit has now allowed its most passing yards in the first four games of a season in franchise history, but it was still on the shoulders of Young to make the Lions pay.

Running back Chuba Hubbard (20 carries, 122 yards, two TDs) provided a nice balance on offense, but the Lions simply had no answer for Young, who found his most success when targeting WR Tetairoa McMillan.

Game MVP: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers

Speaking of McMillan, he had himself a night against this Lions defense with 14 catches for 192 yards and two TDs. He found the end zone for the first time with this 32-yard reception in the second quarter.

The Young-McMillan connection could not be stopped as the two hooked up for a go-ahead 10-yard score on their first drive out of the locker room.

Most impressive of all, McMillan miraculously came down with this sensational sideline grab for a first-down conversion with just over three minutes remaining. The Panthers ultimately had to punt the ball away a few plays later, but that sequence epitomizes the play-making ability McMillan brings.

McMillan was so dominant that he set personal bests in receptions (nine) and receiving yards (147) in the first half alone. Additionally, he joined Steve Smith Sr. (Week 3, 2005) as the second player in franchise history with at least 10 receptions, 150 receiving yards and two receiving TDs in a single game (h/t NFL on Prime Video).

A lot of credit certainly goes to Young for getting McMillan the ball and making the plays on his end. At the same time, McMillan won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award for a reason last season, and showed no signs of slowing down in a monster receiving performance on Sunday night.

Play of the game: Panthers' fourth-down stop for the win

The Panthers had scored on six consecutive drives before Detroit forced back-to-back punts to get the ball back, trailing by six with 2:06 remaining. Instead of working their way down the field and taking what a depleted Panthers secondary was giving them, the Lions turned it over on downs after Carolina stopped them one yard short of the first down.

The Panthers were without both Mike Jackson (groin) and Jaycee Horn (quad), but still found a way to get enough stops without their top-two corners. Defensively, this group still has some work to do, but it deserves some credit for stuffing the Lions on the final drive and not even giving them a chance when the momentum was on their side.

Quote of the night: "He makes it easy on me. He gets open. He's super QB-friendly, always makes the play. Having a guy like that out there makes my job easy." 

NBC Sports sideline reporter Melissa Stark asked Young about his connection with McMillan, and his answer perfectly sums up his importance to this offense.

After his latest performance and the highlight-worthy plays he continues to make, it is safe to say Young will continue to look McMillan's way.