Packers face the Panthers on the road as they look to turn things around
The Packers hit the road for two games, starting with the Carolina Panthers at Noon Central Time on Christmas Eve.
The Packers are 6-8 after falling 34-20 at home to Tampa Bay, while Carolina is 2-12 after winning 9-7 at home vs the Atlanta Falcons. Carolina kicked a field goal on the final play of the game to win it.
Carolina has high hopes for Bryce Young as he was the first player chosen in the 2023 NFL Draft. He doesn’t have many household names around him, but us Packer fans are familiar with Adam Thielen, who is now with the Panthers after 9 seasons with the Vikings. It’s an understatement to say the Packers’ defense hasn’t been playing well these last 2 games. The opposing quarterbacks in both of those games received the NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. Bryce Young may be a star someday. Let’s not make him one in this game.
Jordan Love has been alright these last 2 games, but unless the defense can stop the opposition, Love has to be awesome in order for the Packers to win. Carolina surprisingly has a decent defense, if you go by yards allowed. They are 3rd best in the NFL in that category, but 4th worst in points allowed. The Packers have to take advantage of every opportunity. Turning the ball over and settling for field goals will not get it done.
Carolina’s home games have had some dismal attendance numbers recently, but games against the Packers are usually a hot ticket, especially since GB fans travel well. It’s possible that the Packers might have the crowd on their side. They still have to make plays and do well because the Packers had the crowd on their side at home vs the Bucs, and that didn’t matter for them.
The Packers are 11-6 vs Carolina, and that includes the NFC Championship Game, which the Packers won 30-13 to advance to Super Bowl XXXI. Like the Packers, the Panthers are experiencing growing pains, but Carolina has come up with some great seasons here and there. It doesn’t take long in the NFL for a team to become very good. You just need the right pieces and the right leadership. Interestingly, the last 2 meetings between the teams resulted in a 24-16 Packer victory. Both games were played at Lambeau Field.
After the Packers won 3 straight games, including 2 very impressive wins at Detroit and vs Kansas City, they came crashing down to earth the last 2 games. Although Matt LaFleur announced that Defensive Coordinator Joe Barry will remain with the team at least through the end of the season, he is very much on the hot seat. It remains to be seen with LaFleur. How the team performs in these last 3 games might determine his fate too.
It doesn’t matter who the opponent is right now. The Packers just need a win. Let’s go out there and play your best football and come away with this victory!
Go Pack Go!
@DieHardPackersFan #DHPF #GregGoshaw @gg901
