Panthers @ Packers: Clean Out the Foliage

We are now 7 weeks into the season, and I can officially say the Carolina Panthers have finally played their first bad game. Even sitting at 3-3 now, this prior game vs. the Bucs was their worst game without a doubt. Carolina lost 43-13, but they only gave up 64 total passing yards. That is the craziest stat ever. And you may be asking, “how did they lose then?” Well, it’s because they gave up 258 yards on the ground. I repeat, 258 yards on the ground. While the number is shocking, the outcome isn’t, as the Panthers rank dead last in run defense. In addition to that, Bryce Young only threw for 163 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INTs. Carolina, for seemingly the first game, couldn’t get anything going on either side of the ball. Hence, the massive blowout to the Bucs, who had everything going that game. They get a short week as they head to Green Bay to take on the Packers.

         The Packers lost 17-20 against the Lions. There were some horrendous calls in this game against the Packers, which did not help their case. But let’s not act like the game was out of reach because of that. The score remained gridlocked at 14-17 in Detroit’s favor all the way until the middle of the 4^th quarter, where the Packers would tie it up with a FG. They forced a turnover on downs on Detroit and got the ball back. They drive all the way down the field, get into FG range, and miss the FG. The Lions turn around and drive down the field, bleed the clock, and make their FG to win the game. Not a clean game from Green Bay by any stretch, but not a bad one either. Jordan Love had 274 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT. Josh Jacobs had 80+ yards from scrimmage and a TD in his return to football. Just not enough plays that went Green Bay’s way for them to come out with a victory. I do think they have a great shot to bounce back against Carolina, but the Panthers will be thinking the same thing. I think the Panthers take this one.