Talk » The Lions fell behind the Bears 26-0 on their way to

Week 10 and that leaves them with a 3-6 record in nine games under first-year head coach Matt Patricia.With an offensive line that’s allowed 16 sacks the last two weeks and a defense that isn’t consistently making stops http://www.raidersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-josh-jacobs-jersey , some might believe that things have gone off the rails in Detroit. Whether that’s the case or not, Patricia said the team isn’t panicking about the way things have played out.“I believe in this team and we’re going to work real hard every single day,” Patricia said, via the . “I think the guys in that room have a great understanding of what they are and what we’re going to do as a team. We’re not hitting the panic button right now or anything like that right now. We’re just trying to get better. I think that’s our biggest thing is just try get some improvement.”It’s a test of a coach to find a way to pull things together when it seems like things are coming apart at the seams and this will be Patricia’s first chance to show he’s able to do that. The Lions have three straight home games, but stopping the slide won’t be easy.The Lions will be facing the Panthers and Bears in a five-day span with the Rams visiting in Week 13, so Patricia and company have their work cut out for them in the coming weeks. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Carolina’s Julius Peppers has announced his retirement after 17 NFL seasons, nine Pro Bowl appearances and six All-Pro selections.Peppers spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Panthers Johnathan Abram Jersey , then played four with Chicago, three with Green Bay and his final two seasons back with Carolina. He missed four games in 2002, his rookie season, then played in 254 out of a possible 256 games over the rest of his career.Peppers finished his career with 159 1/2 sacks, fourth-most in NFL history. The defensive end is the only player in league history with at least 150 sacks and 10 interceptions — he had 11 of those — and also blocked 13 field goals and extra-point attempts.Peppers announced his retirement in an essay published Friday by The Players Tribune. He says he still feels good, but knows football could not last forever.“The Super Bowl ring eluded me, but I don’t need that to validate me,” Peppers wrote. “I would have loved to have helped deliver that to the fans in Carolina http://www.raidersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-trayvon-mullen-jersey , but I’m content with the career that I had.”Peppers had 97 of his sacks in a Carolina uniform, setting the franchise record there.“Julius is one of the greatest to ever play the game of football,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. “To put up the numbers he did for as long as he did speaks to his incredible talent and commitment. He is a leader in the locker room and in the community. Getting to know him over the last two seasons has been tremendous because of the type of person he is.”Peppers finished with a consecutive-games-played streak of 176, the second-longest such run in the NFL right now behind Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers. Peppers, who turned 39 earlier this month, also was the oldest active defensive player in the league.“In getting to know Julius over these past months, I’ve learned that he is a man of few words. When he speaks, everyone listens Maxx Crosby Jersey ,” Panthers owner David Tepper said. “With that in mind, I will be brief. He’s one of the best to ever wear a Carolina uniform. He carries himself with dignity, integrity and class, and will always be a Panther.”Peppers played his college football at North Carolina, where he also excelled as a member of the Tar Heels’ basketball team. He was the No. 2 selection by Carolina in the 2002 NFL draft, and was defensive rookie of the year that season.He is the Panthers’ nominee for the 2018 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, which will be awarded Saturday on the eve of Super Bowl LIII. Peppers has been an advocate for those adversely affected by Hurricane Florence, which hammered coastal areas in North Carolina and South Carolina last fall.“What he did for the people affected by Hurricane Florence Hakeem Butler Jersey , getting involved and bringing them hope, says a lot about him,” Rivera said. “I’m proud that I get to say that I was one of his coaches, and I think it’s fitting that he gets to end his career as a Carolina Panther.”