Jordan Love put on a passing clinic against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday Night Football. Love went 30-for-41 for 288 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception. The win moves the Packers to 5-3 as they attempt to keep pace in the NFC North.
The Panthers scored first with a 39-yard field goal from Ryan Fitzgerald. The Packers answered with a Love pass to Tucker Kraft, but Packers kicker Trey Smack missed the ensuing extra point, so Green Bay led 6-3.
Carolina would take the lead back with a 1-yard rushing touchdown from Chubba Hubbard, part of his 22-carry, 81-yard, 1-touchdown day. The Packers got a 1-yard touchdown run of their own with Josh Jacobs to make it 13-10. Then, just before halftime, Love found Matthew Golden for a 24-yard touchdown. That score gave Green Bay a 20-10 halftime lead.
Love continued his great day in the third quarter with a 4-yard pass to Jacobs for a touchdown, making it 27-10. The Panthers cut the lead to two scores with a 50-yard field goal by Fitzgerald.
In the fourth quarter, the only scoring came from a Bryce Young-to-Jalen Coker 26-yard touchdown pass. The two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the score at 27-19. The Panthers got a chance to tie late, but their last-second attempt to recreate the “Miami Miracle” fell far short.
The Panthers fall 3-4. Bryce Young had a mediocre day, going 23 of 41 for 209 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. Tetairoa McMillan led the receivers with 6 catches for 58 yards. Carolina is still in first place in the NFC South as of this writing, but with the Atlanta Falcons at 3-4, that might not last long.
As for the Packers, on top of Love’s great day, running back Josh Jacobs carried the ball 21 times for 39 yards and a touchdown. That was good for only 1.9 yards per carry. Green Bay continues to struggle on the ground even with their star running back on the field. Christian Watson finished the day with 8 receptions for 113 yards; he left the game and the stadium to visit the hospital after coming down on the football during a reception. He would, however, return in the second half. Matthew Golden had 7 receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Tucker Kraft continued his great season, catching 6 passes for 53 yards and a touchdown.
The Packers remain last in the NFC North, behind the 6-0 Minnesota Vikings, 5-2 Chicago Bears, and 4-2 Detroit Lions. This was a big win for Green Bay as they face a difficult second half of the season with games against the New England Patriots, Vikings, Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, and Lions.
