What are the Carolina Panthers players and coaches talking about ahead of Saturday's Week 15 matchup against the Detroit Lions at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte? Let's find out:
1. The Panthers were dominated upfront on both sides of the football in a 24-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday. Carolina rushed for just 21 yards with no rushing touchdowns and Pittsburgh was able to convert 12-of-16 third-down attempts.
Carolina interim head coach Steve Wilks said his team will put the pads back on this week at practice as they try to get back to their physical mentality. Last week was the first time since Wilks took over that Carolina didn't practice at least one day in pads.
"This game is behind us," Wilks said of the Steelers game. "Our focus right now is on the Detroit Lions and the Detroit Lions only."
View photos of the starters for the Carolina Panthers.

Interim Head Coach Steve Wilks
Offensive Coordinator: Ben McAdoo
Defensive Coordinator: Al Holcomb
Special Teams Coordinator: Chris Tabor
(AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

WR DJ Moore
Backed up by Laviska Shenault Jr. and Rashard Higgins
(AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

OT Ikem Ekwonu
Backed up by Brady Christensen and Larnel Coleman
(AP Photo/Ben VanHouten)

OG Brady Christensen
Backed up by Michael Jordan
(AP Photo/Danny Karnik)

C Bradley Bozeman
Backed up by Cade Mays
(AP Photo/Danny Karnik)

OG Austin Corbett
Backed up by Cade Mays
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

OT Taylor Moton
Backed up by Cameron Erving
(AP Photo/Danny Karnik)

TE Tommy Tremble
Backed up by Stephen Sullivan
(AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

TE Ian Thomas
Backed up by Giovanni Ricci
(AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

WR Terrace Marshall Jr.
Backed up by Shi Smith
(AP Photo/Danny Karnik)

RB D'Onta Foreman
Backed up by Chuba Hubbard and Raheem Blackshear
(AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

QB Sam Darnold
Backed up by PJ Walker
(AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

DE Brian Burns
Backed up by Marquis Haynes Sr. and Henry Anderson
(AP Photo/Brian Westerholt)

DT Derrick Brown
Backed up by Bravvion Roy
(AP Photo/Brian Westerholt)

DT Matt Ioannidis
Backed up by Marquan McCall
(AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

DE Yetur Gross-Matos
Backed up by Amare Barno
(AP Photo/Danny Karnik)

OLB Shaq Thompson
Backed up by Cory Littleton
(AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

MLB Damien Wilson
Backed up by Chandler Wooten and Joel Iyiegbuniwe
(AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

ROLB Frankie Luvu
(AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

CB CJ Henderson
Backed up by T.J. Carrie
(AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

CB Jaycee Horn
Backed up by Keith Taylor Jr.
(AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

FS Jeremy Chinn
Backed up by Myles Hartsfield and Sean Chandler
(AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

SS Xavier Woods
Backed up by Juston Burris and Sam Franklin Jr.
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)

KR Raheem Blackshear
Backed up by Laviska Shenault Jr. and Chuba Hubbard
(AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

PR Shi Smith
(AP Photo/John Bazemore)

LS JJ Jansen
(AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

P/H Johnny Hekker
(AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

K Eddy Pineiro
(AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
2. Sam Darnold was 14-of-23 passing for 225 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions (108.1 rating) against Pittsburgh, and Wilks said that's earned Darnold the start at QB this week against the Lions. Darnold is 2-1 as a starter this season and hasn't thrown an interception. One thing to note: Wilks has encouraged Darnold to use his legs more this week. The Lions have struggled at times this season defending the quarterback run.
3. The 21 rushing yards for the Panthers vs. Pittsburgh were their fewest in a game since 2012 against Tampa Bay (10). Carolina has averaged 40.3 rushing yards in three losses since Week 9, while averaging 213.3 in the three wins. Safe to say the key for defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and the Lions' defense will be containing the Panthers run game. Carolina ranks 30th in total offense and 30th in passing but are 17th running the ball (117.5).
4. Wilkes was very complimentary Tuesday of the play of Lions quarterback Jared Goff and the Lions' offense in general. He talked about all the weapons at the skill positions and how Goff has done a good job orchestrating the fourth ranked offense in the NFL. But Wilkes said it all starts upfront for the Lions. He said winning the battle upfront will be the biggest challenge for his defense.
5. There's a chance Saturday's game sets a record for the coldest game at Bank of America Stadium, as cold air settles into about two thirds of the country this weekend. The forecast calls for temps in the low 30s. The record low at kickoff previously was 30 degrees. Wilkes said his team played in a cold environment in Baltimore recently and weather will not be an issue.
6. Darnold said Tuesday it was fun watching the Lions' defense on film when he started preparing for Saturday's game because of the scheme Glenn runs. He called Detroit's defense 'super aggressive.' He said they'll have their hands full, but the offense will be up for the challenge.