With the Bank of America Stadium crowd chanting "MVP! MVP!" at his quarterback, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan said he stayed zoned into the action on the field during the fourth quarter of Sunday's 32-26 win over Detroit Lions.
While Bryce Young was electric in primetime, McMillan was dominant, catching 14 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns.
"Everything just clicked tonight," McMillan said.
McMillan accounted for 43.1% of the Panthers' net offense against the Lions. He also fell just one catch and nine receiving yards short of tying two longtime franchise records, as Young threw for 329 yards and two touchdowns and led the offense on six scoring drives against Detroit.
McMillan, with Jalen Coker (quad) sidelined and Xavier Legette (knee) on injured reserve, was at his best. He dwarfed career-high numbers across the board. He had 16 targets, four more than his previous best. His previous top reception (8) and receiving yards (130) marks were bested as well.
"We knew that he was going to be an issue, especially since Coker got hurt," Lions coach Dan Campbell said. "That would be a guy they would probably try to get the ball to, and really a lot of those were those RPOs [run-pass option plays] early in the game and those quick strikes right up the hash and right off the seam."
"He was balling today, and that was something super fun to see," tight end Tommy Tremble said. "He was able to show who he was today, and I think that's awesome because that's the type of player he is, that's the caliber of player. And to show it on 'Sunday Night Football,' there's nothing better. So, I'm really, really happy for him."
The reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year was in rhythm with Young, who now has a franchise-record nine passing touchdowns through four games. Their chemistry was unimpacted by what coach Dave Canales said was "not a great week of practice" between Young and McMillan.