Football is unquestionably a game of inches.
It’s also a millisecond game.
Carolina got to the Green Bay Packers’ 31-yard line late in the game on Sunday. As the last seconds ticked away, the Panthers, who had no timeouts, raced to spike the ball.
However, by the time Carolina quarterback Bryce Young reached the ball and spiked it, the final second had passed.
Carolina 30, Green Bay 33.
THE GOOD
OUTSTANDING FIRST HALF: The Packers scored on their first four drives.
Green Bay scored touchdowns on its first two possessions, with A.J. Dillon scoring on a 1-yard run and Love scoring on a 1-yard run. Anders Carlson nailed a 53-yard field goal, and Love connected with Dontayvion Wicks for a 21-yard touchdown.
In the first half, the Packers gained 251 yards, had 19 first downs, and averaged 6.8 yards per play.
JORDAN LOVE: The Packers’ top objective in 2023 was determining whether Jordan Love could be their future quarterback. Each week, the answer becomes a more emphatic ‘Yes!’
Love was forced to play without his best receiver, rookie Jayden Reed, as well as speedster Christian Watson. Then, in the third quarter, star rookie Dontayvion Wicks left the game with a chest injury.
Love never raised an eyebrow while leading the Packers to their second-most points of the season.
Jones entered the 2023 season ranked fourth in league history with a 5.11 yard per carry average. Furthermore, Jones, Jim Brown of Cleveland (1957-62) and Adrian Peterson of Minnesota (2007-12) were the only players in NFL history to have 5,000-plus running yards, 60-plus scrimmage touchdowns, and average 5.0 yards per carry in their first six seasons.
Jones looked like one of the all-time greats once again on Sunday, setting season highs in carries (21) and rushing yards (127). Jones had 11 carries for 89 yards in the first half alone.
Jones put up an impressive performance despite battling a slew of injuries throughout a tough season. Jones came into Sunday’s game with 298 rushing yards and a career-low 3.8 yards per carry.
It was quite the performance for Jones, who’s battled a bevy of injuries throughout a frustrating season. Jones entered Sunday’s game with just 298 rushing yards this year and a career-low 3.8 yards per carry.
Jones had the breakout game, though, the Packers have been waiting for — and it came at the perfect time.
“He’s obviously a very big piece of this offense,” Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said. “So getting him out there, he’s been running the ball really well this week. Looks fresh, looks good, so yeah I’m pumped to have him out there.”
BO KNOWS: The Packers were shorthanded at wide receiver with Jayden Reed (ankle/toe/chest) and Christian Watson (hamstring) sidelined. Standout rookie Dontayvion Wicks also left the game early in the third quarter with a chest injury.
But Bo Melton, who was elevated from the practice squad Saturday, gave the Packers quite a lift.
Melton had four receptions for 44 yards and also had one carry for seven yards.
THIS AND THAT: Carolina went for it on fourth-and-2 from Green Bay’s 38-yard line late in the first half. But linebackers Kingsley Enagbare and Isaiah McDuffie dumped Chuba Hubbard for a 2-yard loss. … Rookie kicker Anders Carlson made a career-long 53-yard field goal. … Keisean Nixon had a 38-yard kickoff return midway through the third quarter.
THE BAD
NOTHING SPECIAL: Green Bay’s special teams units have the most penalties in the NFL. And it didn’t take long for them to snag a pricey one on Sunday.
To begin the game, the Packers forced a three-and-out. However, on the Panthers’ punt, Lukas Van Ness was called for roughing punter Johnny Hekker.
That not only gave Carolina a first down, but it also negated Keisean Nixon’s brilliant 20-yard return.
LATE-GAME TROUBLE: The Packers led 30-16 on the first play of the fourth quarter.
Green Bay’s next two drives totaled only six yards on six plays. During that time, the Packers did not have a first down.
Green Bay had more than enough chances to put the Panthers away. Instead, the Packers’ offense got stuck in first gear and allowed Carolina to creep back in the game.
Rookie kicker Anders Carlson missed his fourth extra point of the season. Carlson is now 27-of-31 (87.1%) on extra points. … To keep a Carolina drive alive, linebacker Isaiah McDuffie was called for roughing the passer midway through the third quarter. Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard scored from 4 yards out four plays later, bringing Carolina within 23-16. … After a 28-yard third-quarter reception, Romeo Doubs fumbled. Fortunately for Doubs, Green Bay H-back Josiah Deguara retrieved the lost ball. Midway in the fourth quarter, defensive end Devonte Wyatt was called for unsportsmanlike conduct.
THE UNPLEASANT
DEFENSIVE PROBLEMS CONTINUE: Carolina started the day rated 30th in total yards (270.9) and 29th in scoring offense (14.7 points per game). Since Oct. 15 — 70 days ago — the Panthers have not scored 20 points in a game.
The Packers should have dominated this offense.
But facing Joe Barry’s terrible defense is one way for attacks to get healthy these days.
Carolina totaled 394 yards, with freshman quarterback Bryce Young throwing for 312 yards and two touchdowns. The Panthers scored 26 points and averaged 6.4 yards per play.
The Panthers had touchdowns on their first two fourth quarter drives. And the only thing that stopped them on their third drive is time expired.
After the Packers suffered a 34-20 loss to Tampa Bay last week, much-maligned defensive coordinator Joe Barry said: “This week particular was hard. It was hard on me, hard on my family. But this is the National Football League. This is what you sign up for, so what’s the saying: No crying in spilled milk or over spilled milk. You deal with it.”
Barry’s defense didn’t deal with it very well against the Panthers. And it almost ended the Packers’ playoff dreams.
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