Green Bay Packers ( 4 - 2 )
[list]Total Offense = 26th
Passing Offense = 20th
Rushing Offense = 24th

Total Defense = 19th
Passing Defense = 5th
Rushing Defense = 32nd

Points For = 26.8 (8th)
Points Against = 21.7 (12th)[/list]




Carolina Panthers ( 3 - 2 - 1 )
[list]

Total Offense = 18th

Passing Offense = 12th

Rushing Offense = 28th

Total Defense = 26th

Passing Defense = 20th

Rushing Defense = 27th

Points For = 23.5 (17th)

Points Against = 26.2 (24th)[/list]

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I think three big questions for the Packers defense coming into this game are...

[list=1]

How healthy are they? Shields, Williams, Lattimore, Matthews, DL, others? Are they fully healthy or partly and how much?

Read option: How well can the Packers play read option? They've struggled with a lot, and struggled with it when the Dolphins surprised them with some. if Cam Newton does it... it shouldn't be a surprise... the Panthers run some of it every so often if not some every game with Cam Newton. Will the defense be ready?

TEs: Packers defense really hasn't faced many good TEs this season. The best TE the Packers faced was Bears TE Martellus Bennett and they gave up 9 catches for 134 yards to him. Of course he had very good WRs the Packers had to watch as well... but the question is how well will the Packers defense be able to limit former Bears TE Greg Olsen?[/list]

On offense I think it's rather simple... can they protect Rodgers and can the WRs get open? Panthers defense has one of the worst 3 in opponent QB pass percentages... and one of the worst 5 in passing TDs given up. But be careful one of the top 5 in INTs. Also to my surprise according to NFL.com stats the Panthers defense is giving up the worst yardage per run in the NFL... though they're not the worst because teams don't have as many running attempts on them as say the Packers.


Both defense are among the worse on 3rd down % stoppages.

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We have a better team.
We have a better QB.
They are a very bad match for us.

It might be fun.

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The Packers return home this week to play the Carolina Panthers. The Packers have played 4 of their first 6 games on the road. Following this game the Packers travel to New Orleans to play the Saints. After that they get a bye. 5 road games in the first 8 weeks. A 6 - 2 record would be good to take into the bye week !

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New Orleans is a whole diffrent animal in the dome,

This team can eek out wins and make the postseason, but if we want to make noise in the playoffs we need to be able to stand up to teams like New Orleans, Seattle, San Fran, Denver, maybe even Dallas and San Diego.

It seems so long ago that we have actually beat a "great" team on their own turf. I can't even remember honestly.

That game, I think will be indicative of our postseason chances.

This week however,

We need to get the run game going. >400 yards from our starting HB halfway through the season is embarrassing. We could have just kept Alex Green for that production.

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As was said, the tough game is the one coming up the following week - New Orleans. I hope the team is not looking ahead to that one like I am.

Carolina has some quality on defense, although they have given up a lot passing this year - those interceptions, fat chance they get any from Aaron Rodgers. They have a QB who is just below the elite level, although the aspect of Newton's game that has hurt the Packers in the past, taking off and running, that has been de-emphasized this season either because of injury or the team's fear he will get injured.

The Packers - playing at home - will have another great game passing. They will have some difficulty with Cam Newton running, but it should be another big win.

Green Bay 38 Carolina 24

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Packers have't figured out how to stop the read option with a mobile QB and it looks like Cam Newton has his wheels back. Carolina lacks WR's so the Packers will probably rest both Tramon Williams and Sam Shields to make sure they are ready for the Saints. Aaron Rodgers is already thinking about that game. Not a good sign.

Packers 24
Panthers 28

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For the read option to be effective a team must have a running game, The Panthers are currently decimated at the rb position, Newton has been their running game, along with their passing game.

I see where D. Jones and Lattimore were back practicing today, that will help.

Williams is closer than Shields to coming back(which probably means both will miss this week).

They will be needed later, sit them out, House and Hayward will be fine for a week.

Greg Olsen and rookie K. Benjamin can be contained.

Sunny and 52 for start of the game.

Packers hit their target of 75 plays on offense, D creates 2 turnovers, Special teams will score a TD this week!!!

Packers 38 Panthers 16.

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