Share 
The Carolina Panthers host the Detroit Lions to cap off a 14-game Sunday slate that begins at 9:30 a.m. ET in London. Week 4’s Sunday Night Football matchup features two elite offenses in what should be a high-scoring affair. Let’s look at what players are slated for a big night in this week’s primetime showdown.
Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Doesn't Win*
*Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms. 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET
Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Doesn't Win*
*Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms. 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET
Here are the best DFS picks for Sunday night’s Lions vs. Panthers showdown. Be sure to check out our NFL betting trends page for data and odds on every game.
Detroit Lions vs. Carolina Panthers DFS Picks
| Pos | Player | Matchup | FPPG | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MVP |
 👑Jahmyr Gibbs |
DET @ CAR | 34.1 | $18,000 |
| FLEX |  Chuba Hubbard |
DET @ CAR | 17.7 | $9,400 |
| FLEX |  Darren Waller |
DET @ CAR | 11.1 | $4,400 |
| FLEX |  Sam LaPorta |
DET @ CAR | 11.5 | $6,600 |
| FLEX |  Tetairoa McMillan |
DET @ CAR | 11.1 | $9,000 |
| FLEX |  Brycen Tremayne |
DET @ CAR | 4.1 | $2,600 |
👑 Jahmyr Gibbs, DET/RB/MVP ($15,600)
What happens when the #32-ranked run defense in the NFL faces one of the league’s most prolific young RBs? We’ll find out Sunday night when Jahmyr Gibbs takes on a Panthers defense that allows a league-worst 193.33 rushing yards per game. Gibbs enters Week 4 averaging the second-most total yards per game (154.3) and leading the league with 6 total TDs in the first three weeks. The 24-year-old has arguably been the best dual-threat RB, ranking top five in rushing yards per game (102.33) and leading all RBs in receptions (18) and receiving yards (156) early in the season.
Despite his insane $18,000 salary to use Gibbs as the captain of our lineup, the defensive matchup suggests a potentially historic night for the Lions’ superstar. With an implied total of 51 points, you can almost guarantee the league leader in TDs to find the end zone at least once in what could turn into a shootout. Gibbs should have no trouble justifying his price tag and appears to be a must-have in any Sunday Night Football lineup.
Chuba Hubbard, CAR/RB ($9,400)
Chuba Hubbard has had a strong opening to his 2026 campaign and has been a driving force in Carolina’s impressive offensive start. The sixth-year man now has three TDs in the first three weeks and is coming off his best rushing performance with 19 carries for 82 yards against the Browns. Hubbard’s carries have steadily increased due to injuries in the RB room, and he has now logged 84% of the team’s offensive snaps after it appeared he would split more time early on.
The 27-year-old back’s workload through the opening weeks of the season suggests he could be in for another high-volume week against a Lions’ defense that has been vulnerable agasint the run. Detroit ranks 23rd in opponent rushing yards per game and allows the highest explosive run rate in the NFL. With little competition for carries, Hubbard should get a heavy dose on the ground and has also been a solid receiving option in the league’s top passing offense.
Darren Waller, CAR/TE ($4,400)
After coming out of retirement in 2025, TE Darren Waller has revitalized his career and had a strong start to his tenure in Carolina. The 34-year-old seems to be building chemistry with QB Bryce Young week by week and could be in for his biggest game of the season against a defense that has struggled tremendously agasint tight ends early on. The Lions rank dead last in receptions, yards, and TDs allowed to TEs through the first three weeks, and now face another tough matchup at the position with the athletic Waller coming into form.
Waller has seen a 10.7% target share to start the season, but the number has steadily increased as he’s settled into the offense. The Panthers will be without WR Xavier Legette and potentially WR Jalen Coker, who combine for 29% of targets this season. Waller has already proved himself a reliable weapon near the goal line and has caught both of his end-zone targets this season. With more targets potentially coming his way, plus an elite defensive matchup, adding Waller to your lineup at just $4,400 should be one of the week’s strongest value plays.
Sam LaPorta, DET/TE ($6,600)
Sticking with the TE trend, Lions’ young star Sam LaPorta remains a reliable weapon for QB Jared Goff and could be in for a strong week against a secondary decimated by injuries. Both of Carolina’s starting CBs are on IR, and some movement in the secondary should give LaPorta favorable matchups in the middle of the field, where he operates so well.
LaPorta comes into Week 4 with the third-most targets (19) on the Lions and has been efficient when the ball comes his way, with 14 receptions over the first three games. While Gibbs and WR Amon-Ra St. Brown dominate the majority of red-zone touches, LaPorta’s 6’3” frame always makes him a threat near the goal line, and he’s already scored once this season. The Panthers gave up 2 TDs to Browns’ tight end Harold Fannin Jr. last week, and LaPorta could see some scoring opportunities on Sunday night.
Tetairoa McMillan, CAR/WR ($9,000)
Carolina’s young star WR Tetairoa McMillan has been Young’s favorite target to start his sophomore season. He leads the team with a 21% target share and, like Waller, could see even more due to his team’s injuries. The Lions’ defense is giving up a league-worst 299.33 passing yards per game and now faces the No. 1 passing offense led by the young duo of McMillan and Young. Detroit is conceding a league-high 39.7 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, and a high-volume target day for McMillan could surely add to this number on Sunday evening.
McMillan is coming off his worst outing of the season, bringing down just two of his five targets in the Week 3 loss to the Browns. The Lions’ single-high safety look has historically produced strong numbers for McMillan, and Young clearly trusts his physical wideout to win one-on-one matchups against almost any DB he lines up against. Last season, McMillan saw a 26% target-per-route-run rate against single-high safeties, which bodes well against Detroit.
Byrcen Tremayne, CAR/WR ($2,600)
Carolina’s injury-plagued WR room has benefited from young wideout Byrcen Tremayne, who came off a breakout performance last Sunday. The 26-year-old had a career game against the Browns, finishing with 4 receptions for a team-high 83 yards. Tremayne has been efficient with his increased snap count and should only see more opportunities after such a strong performance.
Tremayne saw 81% of the Panthers’ offensive snaps and could see even more playing time depending on Coker’s availability. The 6’2” wideout is another physical matchup nightmare that will stress the Lions’ secondary that already has to focus so heavily on McMillan. Look for Young to continue to build a partnership with Tremayne, and at just $2,600 he provides essential value to our top-heavy lineup.
Photo Credit: REUTERS
