What channel is the Panthers vs Lions on today? Time, schedule to watch Sunday Night Football

It's not just because both Carolina and Detroit's offenses have been very good to start the season. It's also because their defenses have holes opponents can exploit.

Take the Lions, for example. While Detroit is averaging 31 points per game, third-most in the NFL, the Lions are surrendering a league-high 31.7 points per outing. That's largely thanks to a leaky secondary that has struggled to contain opposing passing games without star safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph .

Meanwhile, the Panthers have been better defensively since surrendering 59 points to the Chicago Bears in Week 1, but they may take a step back in Week 4. Carolina had to put both of its starting cornerbacks, Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson , on IR with injuries. That leaves Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown with plenty of ways to exploit the Panthers' secondary while Jahmyr Gibbs will wreak havoc on Carolina's shaky run defense.