We're back within the comfortable confines of Lambeau Field today as the Green Bay Packers are traveling back to 1923 with their new throwback uniforms for a 12 PM CST kickoff against the Carolina Panthers. This will be the fourth different throwback uniform the Packers have worn in their history, but the first to include a unique helmet design to represent the old brown leather helmets of football's past. The 5-1-1 Packers are coming off a 35-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in a Sunday night match-up that arguably brought them back into championship contender talks. The Panthers, sitting at 4-4, are coming off an absolutely embarrassing 40-9 beatdown loss to the Buffalo Bills at home and will be hoping to muster a little redemption today.
The last time these two teams met was Christmas Eve of 2023, where the Packers achieved victory off an Anders Carlson last-minute field goal to squeak out a 33-30 win. Jordan Love went 17/28 for 219 yards and two touchdowns, while Aaron Jones took care of business on the ground, running for 127 yards on 21 carries. This game is famous for being a bit of a nail in the Joe Barry at defensive coordinator coffin after struggling rookie quarterback Bryce Young had his best game, dicing the Packers' secondary for 312 yards off 23 completions and two touchdowns. With the Packers marching towards the playoffs and firing on all cylinders, this game was a bit of an embarrassment for the defense. Hopefully, we don't see those problems today.
Last week was a bit of a welcome return to excellence for the Packers, at least in the second half. Jordan Love had one of the best statistical games of his career, throwing for 29 completions for 360 yards and three touchdowns en route to being named NFC Offensive Player of the Week. Tucker Kraft was on the receiving end of seven of those passes, which he took for 143 yards and two touchdowns. The defense also took care of business, limiting Aaron Rodgers, sacking him three times, and holding the running game under 100 yards. Though the first half didn't go to plan at all with the Packers falling behind the Steelers 16-7 at the half, they came back screaming in the second half, outscoring the Steelers 28-9.
Though we like that second-half dominance, hopefully the Packers can dominate this game for all four quarters, raising the bar a bit as we head into the second half of the season.
What to See on Offense
Under the lights and in front of his former mentor, Jordan Love may have had one of the best games of his career. 29/37 for 360 yards and three touchdowns paved the way to victory, with 20 of those completions coming consecutively. Part of this success could have been due in part to the return of wide receiver Christian Watson, who absolutely stretches the field for the Packers' offense. We will have to find out today if that success continues.
Carolina's secondary may have something to say about that, though, as they rank 10th against the pass. Led by cornerback Jaycee Horn, who has three interceptions so far this season, the Panthers' defensive backs have done well in limiting QBs. However, the lack of an adequate pass rush can open up the secondary of any defense. The Panthers currently rank 26th in sack percentage. Though they have a few defensive linemen who can get after the quarterback in Derrick Brown and A'Shawn Robinson, who have 3 and 2.5 sacks respectively so far, they've struggled to put on the pressure. If Jordan Love gets comfortable, it may not matter how well the secondary has been performing.
The Panthers often feature a one-high, deep safety in Tre'von Moehrig. However, the Packers are the best in the league right now against a single-high safety. I would assume the Panthers would be wise to play two-high safeties more often than one today, but it will be something to keep an eye on if they decide to go with a single.
Carolina has given up a few big games to tight ends this season, mainly against Darren Waller and Trey McBride, who both earned 78 yards receiving against the Panthers. Look for another big game opportunity for Tucker Kraft, who's quickly become the featured pass-catcher in the Packers' offense.
On to the running game. The Packers' running game has been very hit or miss this season. Against the Steelers, Josh Jacobs was basically a non-factor, and the running game didn't get going until Emanuel Wilson began handling the bulk of the carries in the second half. These issues could be due to Josh Jacobs still nursing an injury, and we will have to see today how Jacobs looks a week later.
Carolina is towards the middle of the pack against the run, just like the Steelers were last week. Linebackers Christian Rozeboom and Trevin Wallace will factor in stopping running backs today, but neither has been a game breaker. Depending on the status of Josh Jacobs, I would expect more carries for Emanuel Wilson and perhaps some more creative runs with receivers to try to balance the load a bit.
What to See on Defense
The Packers' defense is coming off a game where they were able to put a lot of pressure on and limit Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers may be 41, but he can still sling the rock and pick apart a defense, so Sunday night was a feather in the cap of the Packers' defense to not get totally torn up by the former Packers' legend. Today, they're against Bryce Young. Though Bryce Young picked the Packers apart two years ago, things are much, much different in Green Bay on the defensive side of the ball today.
Bryce Young was out last week with an ankle injury, and his backup, Andy Dalton, was sacked seven times against Buffalo's pass rush. Though Bryce Young is a bit more mobile than Andy Dalton, the Packers' pass rush is going to be salivating against a struggling Carolina offensive line. The Packers' elite pass-rushing duo of Micah Parsons and Rashan Gary is likely to play a huge factor in today's game.
Catching the ball, the Panthers have first-round draft pick Tetairoa McMillan, who has 512 yards receiving so far this season. McMillan has been as advertised; however, the Panthers lack a running mate for him. The closest pass catcher to McMillan in production is Xavier Legette, with only 159 yards. If the Packers can put the pressure on Young and blanket McMillan, stopping Carolina's passing game could be fairly easy.
The one area Carolina can hurt the Packers on offense, though, is on the ground. Rico Dowdle has emerged as the Panthers' featured back, running for 605 yards so far this season, and Chuba Hubbard is behind him with 282. Dowdle had two huge games a few weeks back, gashing Miami for 206 yards on the ground and 183 yards against Dallas.
The Packers have been no slouch against the run, however, only allowing 78.9 yards rushing per game, which is good for third in the league. The Packers may be able to limit Dowdle and Hubbard's effectiveness so things don't get out of hand, but perhaps the defense's biggest ally is going to be the offense. If the offense can get off to a good start and put the Packers ahead by a few scores early, that could take away the run as Carolina turns desperate to catch up and needs to throw the football.
Overall, I see this matchup going in the Packers' favor, but it's imperative not to get ahead of ourselves.
Extra Notes
We watched a franchise record-breaking kicker one week, and then he was benched for the veteran who failed twice. Perhaps Brandon McManus wasn't all the way ready to take over kicking duties again from Lucas Havrisik. That would be why we're still monitoring the kicker situation this week. I would expect, however, that McManus will get the nod today and have the chance to redeem himself and keep his job.
On the Panthers' side, they have Ryan Fitzgerald, who's missed two field goals as well as two extra points this year, so the kicking woes might also be on the other side this week. Punting for the Panthers hasn't been any better with Sam Martin holding the third-worst net-punt average in the league.
The one advantage Carolina may have is in returns. The Packers have struggled to muster anything in returning punts, and returning kicks has basically been average. The Panthers, though, have Trevor Etienne, who has the potential to be explosive. He averages 23.4 yards per kick return and 6.6 yards per punt return. The Packers have done fairly well on coverage this year, but their tendency to commit penalties on special teams needs to be toned down today so they're not adding on to a Panthers' return or taking away from their own.
Special teams standout player Nick Niemann was added to the IR on Saturday with a pectoral injury. As a result, Kristian Welch was elevated from the practice squad. It's very unfortunate to see Niemann miss a few games; however, with the way Kristian Welch has stood out in camp these last few seasons, it'll be good to see him get in some work during the season. The chance to show what he can do is his to take advantage of; we'll see if he rises to the occasion.
In the End
As much as I love the Green and Gold at home, special uniforms, especially throwbacks, are always a fun wrinkle to add. I'm looking forward to what hopefully ends up being a good game in the new 1923 throwbacks. The last time the Packers wore brown helmets, they won a Super Bowl a few months later. Take that for what it's worth.
Next week, the Packers have a Monday Night matchup against the defending Super Bowl Champion Eagles. Despite the Packers being heavy favorites today, it's very important not to overlook the Panthers and end up embarrassed heading into what could be one of the biggest games of the season in defining our position amongst the NFC's elite. Let's come out of this game 6-1-1. Go Pack Go.