The Green Bay Packers will travel to Charlotte to take on the Carolina Panthers this Christmas Eve from Bank of America Stadium on FOX. Green Bay enters as 4-point favorites, with the total currently hovering 37.5. Stay tuned for our Packers vs Panthers prediction.
Green Bay Packers Preview
Green Bay fell to 6-8 after losing to Tampa Bay at Lambeau, 34-20. The Packers failed to show up defensively, and now they must leave Carolina with a victory this Sunday if they want to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. The GB offense is scoring 21.4 ppg, while passing for 241.6 ypg, rushing for 103.0 ypg, and converting 43.8% of their third downs.
Packers Player Props
- Jordan Love finished well statistically last week despite the outcome versus Tampa, going for 284 yards and two scores. The former Utah State QB has struggled over the past couple of weeks, but he should be able to find some success here in Charlotte in a must-win spot. Love has thrown 3,368 yards, with 25 touchdowns to 11 interceptions.
- AJ Dillon leads GB in rushing with 574 yards on 164 touches, but he missed last week’s contest, and he’s questionable for this contest.
- Aaron Jones returned last week to total 69 yards in the loss to Tampa, and he’s up to 298 rushing yards on 79 carries.
- Jayden Reed scored against the Bucs last Sunday, and he leads the Packers in receptions (54) and receiving yards (592).
- The GB defense is allowing 21.5 points per game.
Carolina Panthers Preview
Carolina comes in at 2-12 after defeating Atlanta at home, 9-7. The Panthers capitalized on the Falcons dysfunction to get back into the win column, and they’ll attempt to build on that this weekend. The Carolina offense is scoring 14.7 ppg, while passing for 194.8 ypg, rushing for 106.1 ypg, and converting 36% of their third downs.
Carolina Player Props
- Bryce Young game-managed last week’s contest well, protecting the football, and passing for 167 yards. The rookie quarterback hasn’t been put in the best position to succeed this season, but after earning the victory last week, he’ll look to put a wrench in Green Bay’s season Sunday. Young has thrown for 2,359 yards with nine touchdowns to nine interceptions for the season.
- Chuba Hubbard gained 87 yards or more for the third contest in a row last week against Atlanta, and he leads the Panthers in rushing with 731 yards on 188 carries.
- Adam Theilen has been quiet since the Week 7 BYE, but he still leads Carolina in receptions (89) and receiving yards (870).
- The Carolina defense has allowed 24.9 ppg.
Green Bay vs Carolina Trends
- GB is 7-7 against the spread, with a 8-6 O/U record.
- CAR is 4-9-1 ATS, with a 4-10 over/under record.
Green Bay vs Carolina Prediction
Despite dropping two winnable games this late in the season, Green Bay still has a chance to make the postseason if they win out, and they come into a manageable spot here in Charlotte. Carolina’s win last week was hard-fought, but it was the perfect case of being in the right place at the right time, as Atlanta has issues within the coaching staff and locker room. The Packers need this game, and I believe they will come out and deliver on their end Sunday. Back Green Bay for this NFC matchup.
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
