On Christmas Eve, the Green Bay Packers traveled to Carolina to take on the 2-12 Panthers. The Packers entered the game on a 2-game losing streak in which Joe Barry’s defense looked awful and as disjointed as ever. That trend continued in Week 16 as the Green Bay defense allowed 30 points to Carolina. Fortunately, the young Packers offense continued to play well and were able to compensate. After blowing a 14-point lead, Christmas came early as the Packers win 33-30.
The Green Bay Packers defense did its best to give yesterday’s game away. Luckily, a 33-point performance by Jordan Love and the offense along with another game-winning drive kept the Packers playoff hopes alive on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. Facing statistically one of the worst offenses in football, this week’s defensive performance by the Packers may be worse than what we saw the last 2 games. Bryce Young came into the game averaging just over 5 yards per pass but averaged nearly 8 yards against Green Bay yesterday. The Panthers also hadn’t scored more than 15 points in eight weeks and posted their first 30-point game of the season. Young came into this week with only 4 games of 200-plus passing yards, today he surpassed 300. I could go on and on and on. Matt LaFleur made it clear he won’t make a change in the middle of the season, but I will be shocked if Joe Barry is still employed as the Packers’ Defensive Coordinator in 2024.
Now to the positives of yesterday. The Packers were short-handed at receiver with Christian Watson and Jayden Reed both inactive. Thankfully for the Packers, they have Aaron Jones. Jones was a full-go off the injury report, and was facing a Panthers run defense that ranked 31st by DVOA. Jones finished the game with over 125 rushing yards at over 6 yards per carry. He became the first Packers skill position player this season to surpass 100 yards.
The numbers for Jordan Love aren’t going to leap off the page but it was another sound performance by him, especially due to the fact that he was without his top pass catchers. There were a few instances where he rushed the throw and was inaccurate, but for most of the day he was in control, accurate, went through his progressions, and handled any pressure well. The fact that yesterday’s performance has become somewhat ho-hum for him just goes to show the immense amount of growth he has had this season. This is now the third time in the last six games that Love has led a drive to give the Packers the lead with fewer than two minutes left in the game. I think it is safe to say the Packers have found their guy at QB.
The Packers improved to 7-8 and kept alive their playoff chances entering the final two weeks. LaFleur’s team will go back on the road to face the Minnesota Vikings who are also 7-8 — next Sunday night on New Years Eve. Until then, let’s enjoy this win and the holiday. Merry Christmas to all Packers fans worldwide!
