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Packers: Look Ahead To The Carolina Panthers

By Anthony Nash

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After last week’s game, I think it’s safe to assume the Green Bay Packers are looking fully ahead to Sunday’s matchup with the Carolina Panthers, and so should we. After all, the loss to Denver, while bad, is still only one game in a very long season.

Besides, there are more pressing matters to look at, like the fact that Green Bay is going into another hostile environment to face another undefeated team. Thankfully for them, this game might not turn out like last week’s.

In a turn of events from last week, a game that we thought would be filled with some great defense, this game may be the complete opposite. History tells us that Green Bay is no joke after a loss, and the Panthers’ offense is on the rise, thanks in no small part to the Superman of the group. Let’s take a look at this week’s matchup.

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Who Are They?

The Carolina Panthers (7-0), unlike Denver last week, are coming off a short week, having played just last Monday in a surprisingly thrilling overtime game against the Indianapolis Colts. After going up big on the Colts, the Panthers eased off the gas and allowed them back into things, which led to extra playing time for the players, something Packer fans were very happy to see.

What they probably weren’t too happy to see, however, is Josh Norman batting down passes.

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While the Panthers defense might not be as tough as the Broncos, they are still no easy task. Aaron Rodgers will go from playing the league’s best secondary to possibly facing the league’s best cornerback. Norman is currently the best defensive back in the league per Pro Football Focus, and has yet to give up a touchdown to an opposing teams No. 1 wide receiver.

Those are both hugely impressive stats, but thankfully there isn’t more than one of him. While the team still has All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly, the Panthers defense is a bit banged up, especially on the defensive line. What’s even more banged up, however, is the offense.

After drafting Kelvin Benjamin last year in an attempt to gain another sure-handed receiver, the Panthers lost the young player due to a torn ACL during training camp. Since then, the Panthers offense has leaned heavily on three key players: Greg Olsen, Jonathan Stewart, and Cam Newton.

While Olsen is continuing to perform like the elite tight end that he is, it’s really Newton who has been holding together this offense, having to rely on receivers like Ted Ginn, Kevin Norwood, and Corey Brown. Even though his stats may not show it, Newton has matured a lot this season and is clearly one of the main reasons this team is still undefeated.

What to watch for: 

Last year, at Lambeau Field, the Packers coasted to a 38-3 fourth quarter lead, and most of the starters didn’t even see the field after that. Don’t expect that this time around, as the Panthers secondary that saw the field last year are all gone, and as stated earlier, now have Norman back.

This is the first time the Packers will be seeing the Panthers at somewhat full health as well, as last year Newton was banged up for most of the year, and was already limping through their schedule.

After last week’s thumping, it will be interesting to see how well the Green Bay offense handles itself after its embarrassing showing last week, and what schemes they bring to the table. It’s clear that something has to change, but who knows what it is.

For me, it seems like the offensive issues all fit together; kickstarting the running game will start to open up more passing opportunities for the wide receivers, which in turn might create more opportunities for Rodgers to maneuver through the pocket.

With both Eddie Lacy and James Starks presumably still hurt, however, it might be tough to get anything going against the stout group of Panthers linebackers.

In terms of injuries, Green Bay is actually starting to recover. McCarthy acknowledged that Sam Shields was getting better and had a chance to play on Sunday, and Clay Matthews (who rolled his ankle last week) seemed to be practicing just fine and should be a go for Sunday.

Wide receiver Ty Montgomery and linebacker Nick Perry were also limited in practice, but both seem to be making strides in their respective recoveries. Cornerback Quinten Rollins avoided any major neck injuries and all X-rays have come back negative, and none of his vertebrae were damaged.

While he might not play, this is great news for both Rollins and Packer fans, as it would have been tough to see another talented young player go down to such a bad injury.

Keys to Victory: 

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As great as Olsen, Mike Tolbert, and Stewart are, the simple fact is that most of the Panthers offense revolves around Newton. If the Packers can contain him, they should be able to pull away for a victory. Of course, this is no tall order, but Matthews being a much bigger presence on the inside, it can be done.

For the Panthers, the keys are simple: do whatever the Broncos did. When they weren’t sticking to the receivers like glue, the Broncos created a very effective game plan that involved defensive ends swarming around the pocket, preventing Rodgers from escaping and helping to suffocate the offense.

If the Panthers defense can get a semblance of that going again, it’ll be tough for Green bay to do much of anything.

While the Panthers are no easy team to beat, especially at home and rolling along undefeated, I have to side with Green Bay (again) in this game. Coming off of losses, Rodgers is nearly unstoppable, posting a 14-0 record and doing some deadly things with the football.

After a serious butt whooping last week, expect the Packers to come out hungry, prepared, and confident, and expect Rodgers to show everyone why they shouldn’t doubt him.

Next: Best Of The Packers: Top 10 Offensive Linemen Since 1960

Prediction: Green Bay 35, Carolina 21

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