Micah Parsons and the Green Bay Packers are sitting atop the NFC North with a 5-1-1 record, but they are still in a precarious spot. The Detroit Lions are right behind them in the division’s standings with a 5-2 slate.
Just based on points differential, the Lions are even the best in the NFC North with a +64 to just +43 by the Packers, who are coming off a 35-25 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday.
Green Bay will look to make a big statement this coming Sunday at Lambeau Field, where they will be hosting the Carolina Panthers.
The Panthers aren’t considered a serious threat in the NFC, but Parsons is not going to let such a narrative distract him and the Packers from their focus on taking care of business in Week 9 before they pay attention to a marquee matchup in Week 10 at home against the reigning Super Bowl champions Philadelphia Eagles.
Packers’ Parsons won’t underestimate the Panthers
Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons (1) sacks Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 27-13.
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Although the Panthers are seemingly showing more bite this season than they did in previous years, many still believe that Carolina is far from a legitimate contender status — at least in the NFC.
For Parsons, he’s surely not one to overlook the Panthers despite some believing that Carolina’s on a level that makes this Week 9 game some sort of a trap game for Green Bay.
“This team is a very good team,” Parsons said of the Panthers, per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. “I wouldn’t consider this a trap game even with Philly next week.”
The Panthers are playing .500 football at the moment with a 4-4 record heading into Sunday. They got crushed by the Buffalo Bills, 40-9, in Week 8, but before that, Carolina defeated the Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets consecutively.
Meanwhile, the Packers are on a three-game win streak, though, they left many surprised with how hard they had to work just to get by at least against the Cincinnati Bengals and the Arizona Cardinals.
Oct 26, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (14) and quarterback Bryce Young (9) on the sideline during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
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