Get to know Packers’ QB Jordan Love a Little Better

Packers at Panthers Preview

Week 16 Packers-Panthers Preview is HERE.

With their playoff hopes fading, Jordan Love and the Packers enter must-win territory at Carolina

ASSOCIATED PRESS

GREEN BAY (6-8) at CAROLINA (2-12)

DAY / TIME / TV: Sunday, 12:00 p.m. CST, FOX

SERIES RECORD: Packers lead 10-6.

LAST MEETING: Packers beat Panthers 24-16 on Dec. 19, 2020, in Green Bay.

LAST WEEK: Packers lost to Buccaneers 34-20; Panthers beat Falcons 9-7.

PACKERS OFFENSE: OVERALL (18), RUSH (21), PASS (17), SCORING (18-T).

PACKERS DEFENSE: OVERALL (23), RUSH (30), PASS (12), SCORING (17-T).

PANTHERS OFFENSE: OVERALL (30), RUSH (17), PASS (31), SCORING (29).

PANTHERS DEFENSE: OVERALL (3), RUSH (20), PASS (3), SCORING (29).

TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL: Packers even; Panthers minus-6.

It’s now or never for the Green Bay Packers. After back-to-back losses to the New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Packers (6-8) find themselves on the outside of the NFC playoff bubble, making Sunday’s game against the league-worst Carolina Panthers (2-12) a must-win. The same can be said of their final two games at Minnesota and at home against Chicago.

The Packers have no one to blame but themselves for their circumstances. Last Sunday’s home loss to the Buccaneers dropped Green Bay from the seventh seed in the NFC to the 11th spot, and its chances of making the postseason plummeted from 50% to 18%, according the NFL’s projections. “Yeah, we’ve got to win,” quarterback Jordan Love said. “We’ve got three opportunities to go out there and get a win. The goal right now is to get to 9-8 and then let the playoffs kind of play themselves out, see if we can get a shot in there. Obviously bouncing back after two tough losses, we’ve just got to find a way to go win these last three.”

On Sunday, the Packers get the Panthers (2-12), who knocked visiting Atlanta out of a three-way tie for first place in the NFC South last Sunday with a 9-7 win. “There’s a lot of fight in them, no matter what the score,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “It’s evident because it shows on their tape. You can always see it. And it was pretty evident last week… I’m pretty sure that we’re going to get their best shot this weekend.”

The Packers still have a viable path forward because their conference record is comparable to teams directly ahead of them in the standings, and their final three games are against NFC foes.

The Vikings, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints all enter the weekend one game ahead of the Packers. The Packers hold head-to-head tiebreakers against the Rams and Saints.

DEFENSIVE DEFICIENCIES

Here’s some good news for struggling Panthers rookie Bryce Young: The last two quarterbacks to face the Packers both performed well enough to be named NFC offensive player of the week. After Tommy DeVito rallied the New York Giants to a 24-22 victory over the Packers, Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield posted a perfect 158.3 passer rating in a 34-20 win at Green Bay.

Green Bay’s issues led to LaFleur being asked after the Bucs game whether he’d consider firing defensive coordinator Joe Barry. LaFleur said Monday he’s keeping Barry for now and cited poor communication as the biggest problem facing the defense.

SLOW STARTS

Carolina has not scored an offensive touchdown in the first half since Oct. 29, a string of seven straight games. That means the team has been playing from behind. The Panthers have only snapped the ball this season with a lead on 14.1% of their plays, the lowest mark in the league. “It starts with myself doing a better job and then we all take ownership,” Young said. “We definitely want to start stronger and not wait to score touchdowns.”

POWER OF LOVE

While the Packers have been slumping, Love has continued to surge in his first season as their starter. Love has thrown 11 touchdown passes with only one interception over his last five games. He has completed 68.8% of his passes during that stretch. “I think I’ve been getting better every week, just understanding little scenarios better, understanding the plays better, where to go with the ball, just situational awareness, things like that,” Love said. “But I think this has been a learning process for me, and every week I’ve been growing, learning from mistakes that I made.”

SURGING KRAFT

The Packers drafted a pair of tight ends this year, taking Oregon State’s Luke Musgrave in the second round and South Dakota State’s Tucker Kraft in the third. Musgrave had much more productive start to his rookie season. He caught 33 passes in 10 games before going on injured reserve. But since Musgrave went down with an abdominal injury, Kraft has thrived in a bigger role. Kraft has caught eight passes for 121 yards over his last two games. He scored his second touchdown of the season against Tampa Bay. “The game’s slowed down a lot,” Kraft said. “I’m just very thankful for my teammates. They’ve made it very easy and welcoming on me.”

HUBBARD ON THE RUN

The Panthers are getting some production out of Chuba Hubbard, who has rushed for at least 87 yards in each of the last three games. Hubbard took over the starting role from Miles Sanders early in the season and hasn’t surrendered the job. Hubbard is set to make slightly more than $1 million next season while Sanders is entering the second year of a four-year, $24.5 million contract. If the team were to cut Sanders, it would take a dead cap hit of $8.4 million in 2024.

KEEPING UP WITH JONES

Don’t be surprised if the Packers lean heavily on running back Aaron Jones, who has had tremendous success against Carolina. Jones has run for 238 yards and four touchdowns in two games against the Panthers, both of them 24-16 wins for the Packers. After missing three games with a knee injury, Jones had 13 carries for 53 yards against the Bucs.

PACKERS PLAYER TO WATCH

WR Dontayvion Wicks had six catches for 97 yards against Tampa Bay to set career highs in both categories. The fifth-round pick from Virginia has teamed up with second-round selection Jayden Reed to give the Packers a pair of promising rookie wideouts. Wicks has only one touchdown, but he has had at least 90 yards receiving in two of his past four games.

PANTHERS PLAYER TO WATCH

Panthers K Eddy Pineiro went 3 for 3 on field-goal attempts last week, including the game-winner as time expired to beat the Falcons and was selected as the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Both Carolina wins this season have come on winning kicks by Pineiro as time expired. Pineiro has made 88.9% of his field goals and has developed into a reliable option for Carolina.

KEY MATCHUP

Packers QB Jordan Love vs. Panthers pass defense: Love has thrown 11 touchdown passes and only one interception over his past four games, although Green Bay is just 2-2 in those games. He’ll face a Carolina defense that has steadily improved despite a number of injuries early in the season. The Panthers limited the Falcons to seven points last week and held Desmond Ridder in check.

KEY INJURIES

Packers CB Jaire Alexander (shoulder) has missed six straight games… Packers WR Christian Watson (hamstring) has missed two consecutive games… Packers S Darnell Savage (shoulder) and RB AJ Dillon (thumb) didn’t play against Tampa Bay…Packers TE Luke Musgrave (abdomen) is on injured reserve… The Panthers were without three pass rushers — Brian Burns (illness), Marquis Haynes (back/illness), Yetur Gross-Matos (knee) — at practice Wednesday, but they still have a chance to play.

SATURDAY INJURY REPORT

GREEN BAY PACKERS: Jaire Alexander, CB: questionable (Shoulder), De'Vondre Campbell, LB: out (Neck), A.J. Dillon, RB: questionable (Thumb), Rudy Ford, S: questionable (Back), Aaron Jones, RB: LP (Knee), Caleb Jones, OT: DNP (Foot), Luke Musgrave, TE: out (Kidney), Jayden Reed, WR: questionable (Toe), Robert Rochell, CB: questionable (Neck), Darnell Savage Jr., S: out (Shoulder), Tedarrell Slaton, DL: questionable (Knee), Luke Tenuta, OT: doubtful (Ankle), Quay Walker, LB: LP (Shoulder), Christian Watson, WR: doubtful (Hamstring), Dontayvion Wicks, WR: questionable (Ankle), Emanuel Wilson, RB: doubtful (Shoulder) CAROLINA PANTHERS: Brian Burns, OLB: DNP (Illness), Claudin Cherelus, LB: questionable (Knee), Andy Dalton, QB: FP (Illness), Sam Franklin Jr., S: questionable (Quadricep), Yetur Gross-Matos, OLB: DNP (Knee), Marquis Haynes, OLB: DNP (Illness), David Sharpe, OT: LP (Illness), Stephen Sullivan, TE: FP (Shoulder), Ian Thomas, TE: questionable (Ankle), Xavier Woods, S: LP (Illness).

SERIES NOTES

The Panthers have won three of the past four meetings at home against the Packers. However, the past two meetings, both at Lambeau Field, have resulted in 24-16 wins by the Packers. The two teams met in the 1996 NFC championship game with the Packers prevailing in Green Bay.

STATS AND STUFF

The Packers haven’t had a 100-yard rushing or receiving performance in any game this season. No team has ever done that for an entire season of at least 16 games… Packers DT Kenny Clark had two sacks against Tampa Bay to improve his season total to a career-high 6½… After winning their first 16 December games under coach Matt LaFleur, the Packers have lost two straight… The Packers have three players who started the season at 24 or younger who have at least five TD catches this season: Romeo Doubs (seven), Jayden Reed (six) and Christian Watson (five). The only team to have more such players in NFL history was the 2020 Pittsburgh Steelers with four, according to STATS… The Packers have three rookies with at least 30 catches, the first time that’s happened in franchise history. The rookies are Reed (54), Luke Musgrave (33) and Dontayvion Wicks (31)… The Packers have six rookies with at least one TD catch this season. That’s the most in franchise history and the most of any team in the Super Bowl era aside from the 1987 strike season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau… Carolina’s only two wins this season have come at home… The Panthers have not scored an offensive touchdown in the first half in seven straight games… Carolina has only led in 14.1% of the plays it’s run this season, which is last in the NFL. Also, the Panthers have not led on a single play in the fourth quarter. Both of their wins have come on winning field goals as time expired, and they were trailing before those kicks… The Panthers have been outscored by 142 points this season… QB Bryce Young led a game-winning, 17-play, 90-yard drive last week that took 7:35 off the clock to beat the Falcons. The No. 1 overall pick is 2-11 as a starter… RB Chuba Hubbard has run for at least 87 yards in three straight games… RT Taylor Moton has played in 112 consecutive games for the Panthers, which is the longest streak of any offensive lineman in team history.

WEEK 16 NFL SCHEDULE

ALL TIMES ARE CENTRAL TIME ZONE

Thursday, December 21

New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams, 7:15 p.m., Prime

Saturday, December 23

Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers, 3:30 p.m., NBC

Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Chargers, 7:00 p.m., Peacock

Sunday, December 24

Indianapolis Colts at Atlanta Falcons, 12:00 p.m., FOX

Green Bay Packers at Carolina Panthers, 12:00 p.m., FOX

Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans, 12:00 p.m., CBS

Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings, 12:00 p.m., FOX

Washington Commanders at New York Jets, 12:00 p.m., CBS

Seattle Seahawks at Tennessee Titans, 12:00 p.m., CBS

Jacksonville Jaguars at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 3:05 p.m., CBS

Arizona Cardinals at Chicago Bears, 3:25 p.m., FOX

Dallas Cowboys at Miami Dolphins, 3:25 p.m., FOX

New England Patriots at Denver Broncos, 7:15 p.m. NFLN

Monday, December 25

Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs, 12:00 p.m., CBS

New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles, 3:30 p.m., FOX

Baltimore Ravens at San Francisco 49ers, 7:15 p.m., ABC

New Video Signage Details

From a Daktronics, Inc. press release:

To improve the fan experience with LED video displays, Daktronics of Brookings, South Dakota, has been selected by the Green Bay Packers to manufacture and install two main video displays, two auxiliary video displays and 60 concourse LED displays at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The installation of approximately 24,500 square feet of LED displays totaling 79.5 million pixels will take place in the spring of 2023 as the technology will debut at the beginning of football season this coming fall.

“We’re pleased to work with Daktronics on our new video boards and Lambeau Field concourse displays, which will enhance the game-day experience,” Kregg Shilbauer, director of digital, broadcast & game presentation for the Green Bay Packers. “The new scoreboards will be the first and only 6mm LED video scoreboards in the NFL; and we feel we’re setting the standard in video board clarity and image quality. We’re looking forward to our amplified fan involvement and engagement in the bowl, as well as with the concourse displays.”

In-Bowl Displays

Each main end zone display will be the highest resolution main displays in professional football, baseball and soccer as they will feature 6-millimeter pixel spacing – a first in professional football. Measuring more than 10,500 square feet at 48 feet high by nearly 220 feet wide, the Packers displays will be one of the few 4K displays in professional football. These displays are also HDR-capable and feature industry-leading environmental protection to keep them operating as expected in the Green Bay weather.

“The first thing people will notice, after seeing how large these displays will be, is the improved resolution that 26.3 million pixels in each 6-millimeter end zone display brings to the table,” said Daktronics President and CEO Reece Kurtenbach. “The vibrant imagery these displays provide will take an already exciting football venue to the next level of fan entertainment. We’re honored to add to the storied tradition of Lambeau Field.”

The east and west auxiliary scoreboard displays will each measure more than 7 feet high by 74.5 feet wide and will also feature 6-millimeter pixel spacing to share all the scoring and statistical information fans expect to see as they follow along with the game.

“Daktronics is proud to once again have a significant presence inside Lambeau Field,” said Tony Mulder, Daktronics regional manager. “We have been fortunate enough to work with the Packers recently as they have updated their outdoor marquees and some of their club area high-resolution displays, but the in-bowl displays are certainly our core business. We couldn’t be happier partnering with the Packers organization and such a legendary stadium on those centerpieces once again.”

Concourse Displays

All 60 displays in the concourses will feature 2.9-millimeter pixel spacing as they connect with fans while away from their seats and keep them immersed in the action while moving about the stadium. Varying in size and location, each display is optimized for its location inside Lambeau Field for maximum impact on audiences whether showing live game feeds, concessions or pro shop promotions, live data updates or other special messaging.

Daktronics has grown with the sports industry from the company’s beginnings in 1968. Today, the company has integrated LED super systems in nearly 60% of all professional sports facilities in the United States and Canada. For more information on what Daktronics can provide, visit www.daktronics.com/professionalsports.

About the Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers, established in 1919, are the NFL’s only community-owned team with more than 539,000 shareholders. With a tradition of excellence, the Packers have captured an NFL-record 13 world championships, including four Super Bowls, and have 28 individuals enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a total that is second among all teams. Lambeau Field, the Packers’ venerable home that was built in 1957, is the longest-tenured stadium in the NFL and recognized by many as having the top gameday experience in professional sports. In the community, the Packers have an annual economic impact of nearly $300 million.

2022 NFL Week 10 — Cowboys at Packers

Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers Game Highlights — WATCH

QB Aaron Rodgers Post Game FOX Interview — WATCH

Matt LaFleur’s Locker Room Speech — WATCH

Matt LaFleur Post-Game — WATCH

QB Aaron Rodgers Post-Game — WATCH

WR Christian Watson Post-Game — WATCH

S Rudy Ford Post-Game — WATCH

RB Aaron Jones Post-Game — WATCH

DL Kenny Clark 1-on-1 — WATCH

K Mason Crosby Post-Game — WATCH

Jerry Jones Post-Game Interview — WATCH

Mike McCarthy Post-Game — WATCH

QB Dak Prescott Post-Game — WATCH

The Cowboys arrived back in Dallas before midnight.

WEEK 10 NFL SCHEDULE

Thursday, November 10
Atlanta Falcons 15, Carolina Panthers 25

Sunday, November 13
Seattle Seahawks 16, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21
Minnesota Vikings 33, Buffalo Bills 30
Detroit Lions 31, Chicago Bears 30
Jacksonville Jaguars 17, Kansas City Chiefs 27
Cleveland Browns 17, Miami Dolphins 39
Houston Texans 16, New York Giants 24
New Orleans Saints 10, Pittsburgh Steelers 20
Denver Broncos 10, Tennessee Titans 17
Indianapolis Colts 25, Las Vegas Raiders 20
Dallas Cowboys 28, Green Bay Packers 31
Arizona Cardinals 27, Los Angeles Rams 17
Los Angeles Chargers 16, San Francisco 49ers 22

Monday, November 14
Washington Commanders 32, Philadelphia Eagles 21

2022 NFL Week 9 — Packers at Lions

Packers at Lions Game Highlights — WATCH

Matt LaFleur 1-on-1 in the Tunnel — WATCH

Matt LaFleur Post-Game — WATCH

QB Aaron Rodgers Post-Game — WATCH

DL Kenny Clark Post-Game — WATCH

WR Allen Lazard Post-Game — WATCH

TE Robert Tonyan Post-Game — WATCH

LB Kingsley Enagbare Post-Game — WATCH

Dan Campbell Post-Game — WATCH

QB Jared Goff Post-Game — WATCH

Detroit Lions Post-Game Locker Room — WATCH

The Packers returned to Green Bay at 6:11 p.m.

WEEK 9 NFL SCHEDULE

Thursday, November 3

Philadelphia Eagles 29, Houston Texans 17

Sunday, November 6

Los Angeles Chargers 20, Atlanta Falcons 17

Miami Dolphins 35, Chicago Bears 32

Carolina Panthers 21, Cincinnati Bengals 42

Green Bay Packers 9, Detroit Lions 15

Las Vegas Raiders 20, Jacksonville Jaguars 27

Indianapolis Colts 3, New England Patriots 26

Buffalo Bills 17, New York Jets 20

Minnesota Vikings 20, Washington Commanders 17

Seattle Seahawks 31, Arizona Cardinals 21

Los Angeles Rams 13, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16

Tennessee Titans 17, Kansas City Chiefs 20 (OT)

Monday, November 7

Baltimore Ravens 27, New Orleans Saints 13

2022 NFL Week 6 — Jets at Packers

Jets at Packers Game Highlights are HERE.

Matt LaFleur 1-on-1 in the Tunnel is HERE.

Matt LaFleur Post-Game is HERE.

QB Aaron Rodgers Post-Game is HERE.

DL Kenny Clark Post-Game is HERE.

TE Robert Tonyan Post-Game is HERE.

Robert Saleh Post-Game is HERE.

QB Zach Wilson Post-Game is HERE.

WEEK 6 RESULTS

Thursday, October 13

Washington Commanders 12, Chicago Bears 7

Sunday, October 16

San Francisco 49ers 14, Atlanta Falcons 28

New England Patriots 38, Cleveland Browns 15

New York Jets 27, Green Bay Packers 10

Jacksonville Jaguars 27, Indianapolis Colts 34

Minnesota Vikings 24, Miami Dolphins 16

Cincinnati Bengals 30, New Orleans Saints 26

Baltimore Ravens 20, New York Giants 24

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 18, Pittsburgh Steelers 20

Carolina Panthers 10, Los Angeles Rams 24

Arizona Cardinals 9, Seattle Seahawks 19

Buffalo Bills 24, Kansas City Chiefs 20

Dallas Cowboys 17, Philadelphia Eagles 26

Monday, October 17

Denver Broncos 16, Los Angeles Chargers 19