The Carolina Panthers prowled into Lambeau Field to take on the NFC-leading Green Bay Packers as nearly two-touchdown underdogs (-12.5). But when the game clock read zeroes, it was the road team that packed up the 16-13 victory.
The game was closely contested throughout, with the largest point differential coming when Carolina led 13-6 in the fourth quarter. Packers RB Josh Jacobs found the end zone on a 1-yard rushing TD with 2:35 remaining in regulation to tie it up at 13. Green Bay left the Panthers 2:35 too long.
Bryce Young and the offense manufactured a nine-play, 40-yard drive that included clutch, evasive creation from the quarterback to facilitate crucial completions, as well as violent running by the explosive RB1 Rico Dowdle.
The Panthers used their final timeout with 0:01 on the clock to set up the game-winning 49-yard field goal on a cold, windy day by rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald. He nailed it and secured the win, improving Carolina’s season record to 5-4 with the signature road victory, putting the rest of the conference — and league — on official notice.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales opened his post-game news conference by saying, “Unbelievable finish. And it took all three phases. Just like we imagined, just like we pictured.” Canales knew his team would have to execute to win on this given Sunday.
3 Things That Went Right in the Carolina Panthers’ Statement Win
Rico Dowdle Did Rico Dowdle Things
Much to the fans’ delight, Canales handed the keys to the Panthers’ ground game over to Rico Dowdle ahead of the Week 9 showdown. That decision proved to be a wise one.
Dowdle toted the rock with bad intentions and anger in his footwork, running through, over, around, and past the NFL’s third-best run defense (allowing 78.9 rushing yards per game through the previous eight weeks). The offensive spark plug finished with 25 attempts for 130 yards (5.2 per rush) and two touchdowns.
This game marked Dowdle’s third in the last five in which he has eclipsed the 125-yard rushing mark.
The Panthers’ Defense Answered the Bell
After being shredded by the Buffalo Bills and allowing 40 points in front of their home crowd (well, kind of — there were a lot of Bills fans in the building), the Panthers’ defense (PFSN DEFi grade of 70.4) took it personally and came to play in Wisconsin.
The Packers entered the week tied for the fifth-highest scoring offense (27.6 points per game). For Carolina to put together this kind of performance on the road, limiting Matt LaFleur’s high-powered offense to just 13 points, it’s the type of moment that can push a teetering team toward the “for real” side of things.
Safety Tre’Von Moehrig was a playmaker, recording five total tackles (two TFL), two passes defended, and an interception that included a 36-yard return. Tershawn Wharton registered the only sack of the day (his second of the season), but he and rookie EDGE Nic Scourton generated pressure on multiple occasions.
The often-maligned linebacker duo of Trevin Wallace (nine total tackles, one PD, one QBH) and Christian Rozeboom (team-leading 15 total tackles, one TFL) both produced big plays in big moments. Rozeboom was also involved in a forced fumble alongside Jaycee Horn.
Bryce Young Performs Under Pressure
The box score (11-of-20, 102 passing yards, 0 TD, 1 INT) won’t read as a love song for quarterback Bryce Young, who returned after missing Week 8 (ankle) at home against the Buffalo Bills. But the difference he makes as the executor of the offense shone through in those critical moments once again.
After Carolina surrendered seven sacks in Week 8 with Andy Dalton under center, Young took just one in the Lambeau victory. His ability to elude pressure and create second-play opportunities when the scheduled operation breaks down was key to extending and finishing drives.
Young picked up two first downs with his legs, scrambling for nine yards between those two rushes. And when the ball was in his hands on the final drive, the third-year player looked calm and collected once more.