Game Preview: Carolina Panthers vs. Green Bay Packers
The Carolina Panthers (4-4) will face off against the Green Bay Packers (5-1-1) this Sunday at 1 p.m. EST on Fox. The BetMGM line has the Packers as favorites by 13.5 points. In terms of against-the-spread performance, the Panthers are 5-3, while the Packers sit at 3-4.
The Packers hold a 12-6 lead in the series history. Their last meeting came on December 24, 2023, when the Packers won 33-30 at Carolina.
In their most recent games, the Panthers suffered a 40-9 loss at home to the Buffalo Bills, while the Packers secured a 35-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Team Performance Breakdown
Panthers Offense:
- Overall: 20th
- Rush: 5th
- Pass: 29th
- Scoring: 27th
Packers Offense:
- Overall: 7th
- Rush: 16th
- Pass: 7th
- Scoring: Tied for 5th
Panthers Defense:
- Overall: 11th
- Rush: 16th
- Pass: 10th
- Scoring: 20th
Packers Defense:
- Overall: 6th
- Rush: 3rd
- Pass: 15th
- Scoring: 10th
Turnover Differential:
- Panthers: -5
- Packers: +1
Key Players to Watch
Panthers' WR Tetairoa McMillan:
As the No. 8 overall pick in the draft, McMillan is having a solid season with 37 receptions for 512 yards and two touchdowns in eight games. He averages 13.8 yards per catch. However, he's been facing double coverage in the red zone, which has limited his touchdown opportunities despite his talent.
Packers' TE Tucker Kraft:
Kraft had a standout game against the Steelers, scoring two touchdowns and setting career highs with seven catches and 143 receiving yards. He has caught a touchdown pass in each of the Packers’ three home games this season. With 30 receptions for 469 yards and six touchdowns, Kraft is one of only two tight ends in NFL history to achieve these stats through the first seven games of a season, alongside Jimmy Graham in 2013 and Rob Gronkowski in 2015.
Key Matchup: Panthers' Run Game vs. Packers' Run Defense
Carolina's running game is among the league’s best, averaging 136.9 yards per game and ranking fifth. Rico Dowdle has been a key contributor, especially in recent weeks, with 473 yards from scrimmage in two games. After Chuba Hubbard returned from an injury, the carries were split, but coach Dave Canales has acknowledged that Dowdle’s production has been too significant to ignore. He is expected to see more touches against the Packers.
Green Bay's run defense is formidable, allowing just 78.9 yards per game and ranking third in the league. This presents a tough challenge for the Panthers' offense.
Key Injuries
Panthers:
- Out: OG Brady Christensen (Achilles), C Cade Mays (ankle/knee), OLB Princely Umanmielen (ankle).
- Questionable: OG Damien Lewis (oblique), OT Taylor Moton (knee), S Nick Scott (groin), LB Trevin Wallace (shoulder), OG Chandler Zavala (knee), backup QB Andy Dalton (thumb).
- QB Bryce Young (ankle) is expected to play after missing the previous game.
Packers:
- Out: DL Lukas Van Ness (foot), WR Dontayvion Wicks (calf), LB Nick Niemann (pectoral).
- Questionable: K Brandon McManus (quadricep), LB Quay Walker (calf).
Series Notes
The Packers have won their past three matchups against the Panthers. Their last win at Carolina was in 2017, while the Panthers' last win at Lambeau Field came in 2008. Over the past two seasons, the Packers have won at Lambeau Field by identical scores of 24-16. Additionally, seven of the past eight matchups between these teams have had single-digit margins.
Additional Stats and Insights
- The Panthers are 1-3 on the road this season, with their only win coming against the Jets.
- QB Bryce Young has won three straight starts, the longest streak of his NFL career.
- RB Chuba Hubbard scored the Panthers' lone touchdown in their last game.
- Backup QB Andy Dalton had a rough game, throwing three turnovers and being sacked seven times.
- The Packers and Colts are the only teams with fewer than two losses.
- The Packers have not allowed a first-quarter touchdown all season.
- They also have the fewest turnovers in the league, with just three.
- QB Jordan Love recently tied Brett Favre’s franchise record with 20 consecutive completions and threw for 360 yards and three touchdowns.
- TE Tucker Kraft’s 143-yard game against the Steelers is the second-highest single-game total by a Packers tight end.
- DE Rashan Gary leads the league with 7.5 sacks, while Micah Parsons ranks sixth with 6.5. Parsons also leads the league in quarterback pressures.
- CB Keiesan Nixon has 11 passes defensed, second in the league.
Fantasy Tip
With coach Canales indicating that Rico Dowdle will take on a larger role, fantasy owners should adjust their strategies accordingly if they have either Dowdle or Chuba Hubbard on their team.