PackerNotes Staff Predictions: Green Bay Packers vs. Carolina Panthers

The Green Bay Packers (6-8) look to keep their playoff hopes alive against the Carolina Panthers (2-12). The Panthers offense has been struggling lately, led by first-overall pick Bryce Young. Packers must win this game to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Here are the staff predictions for the game.

PackersNotes Staff Prediction: Green Bay Packers vs. Carolina Panthers

Green Bay Packers running backs AJ Dillon (28) and Aaron Jones (33) celebrate after completing a positional drill during practice on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at Ray Nitschke Field in Green Bay, Wis. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Jimmy Malchow (6-7): Packers Over Panthers 23-16

 I expect the Packers to respond this week. The Panthers have one of the worst offenses in the league, and this is a good bounce-back spot for this team.

The Panthers have a solid pass defense but are in the middle of the pack defending the run. Aaron Jones, who had no setbacks this week, should see a substantial volume of carries. If Jayden Reed can’t go, that’ll be a hit to the offense. The Packers need to grind this one out on the ground and take their shots when possible.

Defensively, I would think, they would respond. Joe Barry feels the pressure, and the defense feels the pressure. The Panthers offense is not good. In the past five weeks, the Panthers have only scored more than 10 points once. It is hard to know what to expect from an underachieving Joe Barry defense.

With that being said, I think it is an ugly game that the Packers find a way to keep their playoff hopes alive—a big game for Aaron Jones, who becomes the Packers first rusher over 100 yards this year.

Zach Weller (5-8): Packers Over Panthers 31-21

I’ll keep this short and sweet. Defensively, the Panthers are third in total yards allowed, but they are 29th in points allowed.  Offensively, they are 29th in points per game and 30th in total yards per game. The Panthers aren’t a good football team. The Packers must prove they can convincingly beat the below-average teams to take the next step in their young growth.

The Packers defense was embarrassed against Baker and company last week, and generally, after a team gets embarrassed the following week, they respond. I expect Barry and the defense to come out with some fire and give Bryce Young fits. That shouldn’t be difficult because he has struggled all season.

I’ll take the Packers over the Panthers 31-21 with a late score from the Panthers to bring it within ten points.

Contact/Follow us @Packer_Notes on Twitter, Subscribe to our Newsletter here, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Green Bay Packers news, notes, opinions, and analysis.  You can also follow Jimmy Malchow on Twitter @JimmyMalchow.

Follow this link and use promo code: BADGERNOTES for 25% off your next True Classic order.

Join our watch party on Playback Sports and stream Packers games by following this link