Rick Havner / Associated Press

Steve Smith helped the first-place Panthers improve their record to 8-2.

It was over when ...
Panthers FS Charles Godfrey intercepted a Daunte Culpepper pass at the Lions' 20-yard line with 4:50 left in the game. He returned it to the 4, and DeAngelo Williams ran it in for a touchdown on the next play to put Carolina ahead, 31-22.

Game ball
In addition to his big touchdown late in the game, Williams also scored on a 56-yard burst in the second quarter. He finished with 120 yards on just 14 attempts (8.6 yards per carry), and the two scores.

Key stat
The Panthers amassed a single-game team-record 264 rushing yards on 32 carries (8.3 YPC). In addition to Williams' 120 yards, rookie Jonathan Stewart had a game-high 130, while WR Steve Smith added 16 yards on the ground. In its 21-point second quarter, Carolina gained 149 yards on the ground after having just 6 in the opening quarter.

Noteworthy
The Panthers are 8-2 for the first time since 2003 -- when they played the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII. ... Culpepper came up with his 34th career rushing touchdown, which is most among active quarterbacks. ... Detroit (0-10) is off to its worst start since losing its first 12 games in 2001.