Packers weather three turnovers to beat Panthers 27-19
Jordan Love threw three touchdown passes and Josh Jacobs scored two times as Green Bay held on despite a late rally by Carolina.
By Dominic Foster ·
The Green Bay Packers secured a 27-19 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night at Lambeau Field. The game featured a back-and-forth scoring sequence that saw the visitors cut the lead in the final minutes. Green Bay (5-3) survived three turnovers to claim the win.
Jordan Love completed 30 of 41 passes for 288 yards and three touchdowns. He also threw one interception. Love connected with Tucker Kraft, Matthew Golden, and Josh Jacobs for scores. Jacobs carried the ball 21 times for 39 yards and added a rushing touchdown. He also caught a 4-yard pass for a score.
Carolina trailed 27-10 in the third quarter before mounting a late push. Bryce Young threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Coker on a fourth-and-3 play with 5:37 remaining. That score brought the Panthers within two points. Young failed on the subsequent two-point conversion attempt.
The Panthers received the ball back at their own 45-yard line. They punted at midfield with 2:41 left on the clock. Carolina had one final chance from its own 20-yard line with 22 seconds remaining and no timeouts. Dani Dennis-Sutton sacked Young to end the drive.
Christian Watson returned to the game after suffering a chest injury on a 53-yard catch in the second quarter. He was transported to a hospital for evaluation. Carolina cornerback Will Lee suffered a hamstring injury while attempting a tackle on the same play. Lee was carried to the locker room.
The Packers started slowly, fumbling the opening kickoff and going three-and-out on their first series. They then scored touchdowns on three of their next four possessions. Love threw a 12-yard pass to Kraft on third-and-8 to take a 6-3 lead. Rookie kicker Trey Smack missed the extra point attempt.
Watson's 53-yard reception set up a Jacobs run that put Green Bay ahead 13-10 early in the second quarter. Golden caught a 24-yard pass on third-and-13 to make it 20-10. Love found Jacobs on a drive to start the second half, extending the lead to 27-10.
Green Bay led 27-13 in the opening minute of the fourth quarter when Love threw a pass to Golden. Zakee Wheatley intercepted the ball in the end zone. That turnover sparked Carolina's final drive. Young finished the game with 23 completions on 31 attempts for 209 yards.
Chuba Hubbard carried the ball 22 times for 81 yards and a touchdown for Carolina. He also caught seven passes for 38 yards. The Panthers had three other cornerbacks on injured reserve: Akayleb Evans, Mike Jackson, and Jaycee Horn. Corey Bullock hurt his quadriceps in the second half.
The Packers honored former president and CEO Bob Harlan during halftime. His name was unveiled on the northeast facade of Lambeau Field next to former general manager Ted Thompson. Harlan served as president and CEO from 1989 to 2008. He died on March 5 at the age of 89. Members of the Milwaukee Brewers, including Christian Yelich and Jacob Misiorowski, were present to celebrate their World Series win.
