GREEN BAY, WIS. — Despite three consecutive victories, the Green Bay Packers will be looking for even better consistency to keep them atop the NFC North when they host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
Green Bay (5-1-1) is coming off a 35-25 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning its third straight to remain a half-game ahead of the Detroit Lions in the division.
The Panthers (4-4) had their three-game winning streak snapped in a 40-9 loss to the Buffalo Bills, playing without starting quarterback Bryce Young, who returned to practice Wednesday.
After a shaky couple of weeks, the Packers bounced back after a bye with a 27-18 home victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, then rallied for a 27-23 victory at the Arizona Cardinals. Most recently, Green Bay overcame a 16-7 halftime deficit against Pittsburgh behind Jordan Love’s record-setting performance to overshadow former franchise icon Aaron Rodgers.
Love passed for 360 yards and three touchdowns against Pittsburgh, completing 29 of 37 passes, including a franchise record-tying 20 straight completions in one stretch.
Tight end Tucker Kraft had seven receptions for a career-high 143 yards and two touchdowns. Christian Watson, returning from a torn ACL suffered in the final regular-season game in 2024, had four catches for 85 yards.
Back-up Emanuel Wilson ran for a team-high 61 yards on 11 carries, but leading rusher Josh Jacobs managed just 33 yards on 13 carries with a long run of 6 yards.
“We’ve just got to do a better job around him, making sure that he’s got premium looks,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Wednesday. “Some were playcalls, others were just we didn’t block the right people.”
The Packers defense is first in the NFL in yards per passing play at 5.38 and first in yards after catch with 3.85. Green Bay is third against the run at 78.9 yards per game.
Rashan Gary has a team-high 7.5 sacks and perennial All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons, acquired in a blockbuster trade with Dallas just prior to the regular season, has 6.5 sacks.
Defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness (foot), linebacker Nick Niemann (pectoral), and receiver Dontayvion Wicks (calf) did not practice Wednesday for Green Bay while Watson (knee) and Jacobs (calf) were limited.
Young, who missed the game against the Bills due to an ankle injury, returned to practice Wednesday. Veteran back-up Andy Dalton (right thumb) did not practice.
“Bryce had a really good day,” Panthers coach Dave Canales said following practice Wednesday. “We’re going to take it each day and try to push it a little bit more. Had a little bit of a modified mode at practice today, but he handled the load. Tomorrow, we’ll push it again and we’ll make a decision in the next couple of days, but he looked good.”
Young has thrown for 184 yards per game with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions.
The Panthers are fifth in the NFL in rushing at 136.9 yards per game. Rico Dowdle has run for a team-high 605 yards at 5.7 yards per carry.
Rookie first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan has been the top receiving target with 37 catches for 512 yards. Xavier Legette is next with 19 receptions for 159 yards.
The Panthers had three starting offensive linemen out of Wednesday’s practice. Right guard Brady Christensen suffered a season-ending Achilles injury against the Bills. Center Cade Mays (ankle/knee) and right tackle Taylor Moton (knee) also did not practice.
Safety Nick Scott (groin) and linebackers Princely Umanmielen (ankle) and Trevin Wallace (shoulder) sat out as well.
Green Bay has won three straight vs. Carolina. The Packers have allowed 24 or fewer points in 10 consecutive home games, the longest active home streak in the NFL.
–Jim Hoehn, Field Level Media
