The Carolina Panthers, eager to put their blowout loss to the Bills behind them, traveled to Lambeau Field as 2-touchdown underdogs face the NFC leading Green Bay Packers. They were also down three of their starting five offensive linemen. But what they did have was a dynamic running back in Rico Dowdle. Exceptional as the starter when Chuba Hubbard was out with injury, the running back only had second half carry in last week’s loss. Earlier in the week, head coach Dave Canales told media that Dowdle would be back in the starting lineup and given the bulk of carries in hopes to re-establish the run game on the road. The 5th year back answered the bell to the tune of 130 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries.
The Panthers took a modest 7-6 lead into halftime after a topsy turvy first half for both teams. On their first drive, Green Bay got down to the Carolina 16-yard line before Jaycee Horn forced Savion Williams to cough it up and the fumble was recovered by Nick Scott at the CAR 16. The Panthers returned the favor with a red zone turnover of their own. Targeting Xavier Legette at the back pylon, Bryce Young was intercepted by Xavier McKinney in the end zone. Green Bay’s Jordan Love did not shy away from the deep ball, connecting with Christian Watson for a 50-yard bomb down to the Carolina 30. The drive stalled there and the Packers settled for 3 with a 49-yard field goal by Brandon McManus to crack the scoreboard first. Carolina responded, driving 79 yards, finishing with a 5-yard touchdown run up the middle by Dowdle to take a 7-3 lead with 2:22 left in the first half. On the last series of the half, Green Bay got down to the 8-yard line before once again settling for three points to cut the lead to one as time expired.
Green Bay got the ball to start the second half and came away empty-handed when McManus’ 43-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left. On their next possession, Love was intercepted by safety Tre’Von Moehrig at the Carolina 26 and Moehrig returned it 36 yards to the Green Bay 38. On 3rd & goal from the 4, Keisean Nixon was flagged for defensive pass interference, giving the Panthers a fresh set of downs from the 1. On the next play, Dowdle was in for his second score of the day but flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct on the celebration. Green Bay head coach Matt LeFleur elected to add the 15 penalty yards to the point after attempt and kicker Ryan Fitzgerald’s extra point attempt was no good, making the score 13-6 with 2:12 left in the third quarter.
Love was nearly intercepted in the red zone again on Green Bay’s next possession, but cornerback Mike Jackson dropped the ball in the end zone. Instead, the Packers turned the ball over on downs, trailing by 7 with 10:45 to play in regulation. Carolina was unable to take advantage and punted the ball way, giving the Packers another chance to tie or take the lead with 7:24 left in the game. Green Bay was finally able to hit pay dirt on their last possession, driving 71 yards in 12 plays. They elected to go for the tie, leaving Carolina with 2:32 left to make a move. Clock management and timely first down conversions set the stage for Fitzgerald to hit a 49-yard walk off field goal at historic Lambeau Field as a rookie.Â
The Panthers moved to 5-4 on the season as Bryce Young threw for 102 yards on 11-of-20 passing. Love finished with 273 yards on 26-of-37 passing. Carolina looks to be getting over their road woes of the past and are back at Bank of America for Week 10 to host divisional foe, New Orleans Saints.
