Packers Fall to Panthers in Final Seconds at Home
The Green Bay Packers hosted the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field in Week Nine, hoping to celebrate quarterback Jordan Love’s birthday with a win. Early on, Green Bay’s defense made a key stop when a Carolina tight end was flagged for a penalty on what would have been a fourth-down conversion, forcing a punt and giving the ball back to the Packers’ offense. Love opened the drive with a short pass to Josh Jacobs, followed by a strong first-down run from Emmanuel Wilson. Jacobs continued to power through the Panthers’ defense, including an impressive 18-yard carry to move the Packers into scoring position. However, rookie receiver Savion Williams fumbled deep in Carolina territory, ending a strong drive. The turnover brought the defense back onto the field, where the Panthers managed a fourth-down conversion of their own. But Bryce Young’s deep pass attempt into the end zone was intercepted by safety Xavier McKinney, keeping the gameboard empty.
After the takeaway, the Packers’ offense began to find a groove. On third and long, Love connected with receiver Christian Watson for a 51-yard completion, putting Green Bay in closing distance. However, the momentum was short-lived, the offense stalled again, and settled for a 49-yard field goal from kicker Brandon McManus for the game’s first points. The Packers’ defense struggled to control Carolina’s rushing game on the following drive, eventually giving running back Rico Dowdle a clear run into the touchdown from close range, giving the Panthers a 7-3 lead. Green Bay’s first half was highlighted by penalties, totaling six for 49 yards. With less than a minute remaining before halftime, Love found Romeo Doubs for a 30-yard gain into Carolina territory. Once again unable to find the end zone, McManus nailed a field goal to cut the lead to 7-6 heading into halftime.
The Packers came out strong to start the second half with Jacobs picking up early yards, but their momentum was halted when rising star tight end Tucker Kraft suffered a knee injury while blocking and was eventually ruled out. McManus missed a field goal attempt on that drive, turning the ball over to the Panthers. Both offenses struggled until late in the third quarter when Love threw his third interception of the season, setting Carolina up later at the one-yard line. Dowdle capitalized again with another touchdown, extending the Panthers’ lead to 13-6. Love quickly answered with a 27-yard pass to Doubs, pushing the Packers into the red zone, but Green Bay turned the ball over on downs, unable to score yet again.
With time winding down in the fourth quarter, linebacker Quay Walker made a crucial third-down stop to get the defense off the field. Backup tight end Luke Musgrave and receiver Malik Heath entered the lineup as Green Bay’s offense made one final push. With just over two minutes remaining, Jacobs found the end zone for the first Packers touchdown of the day, and McManus’ extra point tied the game at 13-13. The Panthers took over with seconds left and set up for a 49-yard field goal attempt. Kicker Ryan Fitzgerald drilled the kick as time expired, giving the Panthers a 16-13 win. The Panthers improve to 5-4 on the season, just two games behind the Buccaneers as they prepare for back-to-back divisional games versus the Saints and Falcons. On the other hand, Green Bay falls to 5-2-1, missing a chance to stay on top of the NFC North in an upsetting loss in front of the home crowd.
