Newton completed 22-of-34 passes and Jonathan Stewart added a rushing touchdown for the Panthers, who have won seven straight home games. Carolina (2-0) sacked Matthew Stafford four times, intercepted him once and recovered two fumbles while holding the Lions to 323 total yards.

Stafford finished 27-of-48 for 291 yards with a touchdown and an interception while Calvin Johnson made six catches for 83 yards for Detroit (1-1). The Lions managed only 70 yards on the ground, with Joique Bell leading the way with 36 on 10 carries.

The defenses dominated the first half and Carolina took a 6-0 lead into the break on the strength of field goals of 29 and 53 yards by Graham Gano. The Lions had their chances — rookie Nate Freese misfired from 40 and 49 yards in the first half — but didn't get on the board until Jed Collins hauled in a 1-yard TD pass for a 7-6 lead with 9:28 left in the third.

Newton hit Jason Avant for a 14-yard score later in the quarter to put the Panthers back on top, and the defense preserved the lead when Stafford's deep pass into double coverage that was intended for Johnson was deflected by Thomas DeCoud and picked off by Melvin White. Carolina responded with a nine-play, 70-yard drive capped by Stewart's 2-yard plunge and a successful two-point conversion, and the Lions lost a fumble on the ensuing kickoff to set up Gano's third field goal of the game.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Panthers deactivated Pro Bowl DE Greg Hardy, who awaits trial on his appeal of a domestic violence conviction stemming from an altercation in May. … Johnson has caught a pass in a franchise-record 108 consecutive games. … Seven Carolina players had a reception, with TE Greg Olsen leading the way with six catches for 72 yards and Avant making five grabs for 54 yards and a score.