When the Carolina Panthers drafted Tetairoa McMillan No. 8 overall in the 2025 NFL draft, they hoped he would become a franchise-caliber No. 1 receiver. On Sunday night, McMillan gave them a superstar performance.
Hosting the Detroit Lions in a rare "Sunday Night Football" appearance, the Panthers offense stormed to a victory with Bryce Young and McMillan leading the way. The young duo torched the Lions secondary all night to secure a huge win over the Lions and improve to 2-2 on the season.
While the Lions were trying to complete a comeback, it was McMillan who came up with the biggest play of the game for Carolina. If the Panthers are going to return to the playoffs this year, McMillan will have to play a big role in it.
Here's how McMillan carried the Panthers to a win vs. Detroit.
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Tetairoa McMillan's career day vs. Lions
- Catches: 14
- Receiving yards: 192
- Touchdowns: 2
On Sunday night vs. the Lions, Tetairoa McMillan was the best player on the field as he put up nine catches, 147 yards and a touchdown in the first half alone. The second-year wide receiver took advantage of playing a weak defense.
While other Panthers receivers got involved, Bryce Young had a connection going with McMillan in particular. Entering this game, McMillan had just three 100-yard performances since entering the NFL, with a career high of 130 yards, while he scored multiple touchdowns in a game just twice.
Additionally, this marked the first time that McMillan caught at least 10 passes in a game, making it so that he matched or surpassed his career high in all three major receiving categories. Both of his touchdown receptions were crucial, as the first one extended Carolina's lead to seven points, then the next one helped the Panthers re-take the lead.
BRYCE TO MCMILLAN FOR 6️⃣ @DETvsCAR on NBC/Peacock Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/7Owb2F0Uni
— NFL (@NFL) October 5, 2026BRYCE TO T-MAC CANNOT BE STOPPED @DETvsCAR on NBC/Peacock Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/ISN0n98ql1
— NFL (@NFL) October 5, 2026Then, when the Panthers needed it, McMillan and Young connected for a massive third down play that allowed the Panthers to run more clock.
T-MAC ARE YOU SERIOUS! @DETvsCAR on NBC/Peacock Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/uIhOgbACgr
— NFL (@NFL) October 5, 2026In fact, McMillan almost matched his season stats in one game. Entering the game, McMillan had 12 catches for 193 receiving yards and no touchdowns in the first three games, so he basically doubled the first two categories while also scoring his first two touchdowns of the season.
As CeeDee Lamb also exploded for a massive day on Sunday, McMillan's performance isn't even the best receiving performance of Week 4. However, the Panthers needed it in such a huge game, and it will be one that Carolina fans remember for a while.
