The Carolina Panthers will host a rare NFC North opponent this weekend when the Green Bay Packers visit for a Christmas Eve game.
The Panthers (2-12), who are coming off their second win of the season, a 9-6 victory over divisional rivals Atlanta Falcons, will face the Packers (6-8), who are aiming to rebound after two straight defeats, at 1:00 p.m. (EST).
Carolina has a 6-11 all-time record against Green Bay. Learn more about the series’ history by clicking here.
Here’s what you should know about them.
Yards that are filthy Obtain the Yards
The Packers have been without Christian Watson for the past two games, which has limited their deep threat ability. Without that component of the system, quarterback Jordan Love and his teammates have resorted to an intermediate passing game based on hard-fought yards after the catch, converting short gains into explosive plays.
The face of those dirty yards can change from week to week, but in recent weeks, it has been a pair of rookies who are the face of the effort. Both receiver Dontayvion Wicks and tight end Tucker Kraft have proved willing to carry defenders, hurdle defenders, and push defenders out of the way when their respective teammates (Watson for Wicks and Luke Musgrave for Kraft) have been injured.
Wicks’ 491 receiving yards this season have come after the catch 37% of the time. Kraft, the big-bodied rookie tight end, has accumulated 61% of his 216 yards after the catch. Those yards after the catch are also coming after contact in the case of both pass-catchers.
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Reed’s Reading List
Jayden Reed, the Packers’ rookie receiver, is a dynamic joystick. He’s a playmaker who only needs the ball in his hands to take over the game. As a result, the Packers have allowed him to do just that, utilizing his speed and ability to make the correct read at the edge on jet sweeps, curl sweeps, and end-arounds.
These quasi-run-calls for Reed were mostly used while running back Aaron Jones was out with an MCL injury. Because AJ Dillon is a downhill runner, it provided a means to keep the Packers’ stretch ground game going. With Jones slated to make his second start since his injury on Sunday, Reed’s need in this capacity isn’t as pressing. However, his talent puts him a threat to coach Matt LaFleur’s sweep options at any time.
Reed did suffer a toe injury against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, which might be a setback for an already depleted Packers receiving corps.
Valentine’s Day, with Love
Jordan Love is the offensive player of the future, and Carrington Valentine is the defensive player to watch. With Jaire Alexander out with a back and then a shoulder injury, Eric Stokes on injured reserve for much of the season, and Rasul Douglas moved, the rookie seventh-round corner has seen plenty of playing time this season.
Valentine has 36 tackles, eight pass breakups, and a fumble recovery, all while refusing to be frightened by the No. 1 receivers he’s faced in all 14 games this season.
