The good, bad and ugly of the Green Bay Packers’ loss to Carolina

The last time the Green Bay Packers lost a game when they were favored by at least 13.5 points was December 2, 2018.

On that day, Arizona – a 13.5-point underdog – defeated the Packers 20-17. Three hours later, Green Bay fired head coach Mike McCarthy.

The Packers entered Sunday as 13.5-point favorites against Carolina, but suffered a shocking 16-13 loss to the visiting Panthers. Carolina kicker Ryan Fitzgerald made a 49-yard field goal on the final play of the game to lift the Panthers to victory.

While coach Matt LaFleur won’t lose his job with this loss, the defeat could prove costly in the long run.

The Packers, who started the day as the No. 1 seed in the NFC, fell to 5-2-1 and will fall from their high ranking.

Here are the good, bad and ugly of the Packers’ loss.

THE GOOD

CLUTCH DRIVE: Not much went right for Green Bay’s offense all day.

The Packers – who entered the game with just three turnovers all year – had two against the Panthers.

However, Green Bay put together a 12-play, 71-yard touchdown drive late in the game that ate up 4:52. Packers running back Josh Jacobs capped the march with a 1-yard TD run in which he was initially deemed short, but the decision was overturned after a review.

Green Bay tight end Luke Musgrave was big on the drive with a 21-yard reception and reserve wideout Malik Heath had an 11-yard catch. Jacobs then finished things off with a score that helped the Packers tie the game, 13-13.

X MARKS THE SPOT: Green Bay safety Xavier McKinney had a great stretch of play on Carolina’s second series.

The Panthers drove to the Packers ’17, where McKinney first had a sack and a forced fumble on Young that Carolina’s Chuba Hubbard recovered.

Then McKinney intercepted Young on third-and-6 in the end zone to kill the Panthers’ drive.

THIS AND THAT: Savion Williams had a 33-yard kickoff return in the second quarter. … Tyron Hopper had a big hit on a Carolina kickoff return. … Romeo Doubs had seven catches for 91 yards.

IT’S BAD

RUSHING DEFENSE: Green Bay started the day ranked third in rushing defense, allowing 78.9 yards per game. But the Packers couldn’t stop Rico Dowdle and Carolina’s rushing attack.

Dowdle had 25 carries for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Carolina also finished with 163 rushing yards, more than double what Green Bay allowed.

WALKING INJURED: The Packers entered the game without wideouts Jaden Reed (injured reserve) and Dontayvion Wicks (calf).

Green Bay then lost tight end Tucker Kraft (knee), wideout Matthew Golden (shoulder) and wideout Cristian Watson (concussion). While Watson returned after a long absence, Kraft and Golden did not.

That allowed Love to spend much of the second half catching with tight ends Luke Musgrave and John FitzPatrick, and wideouts Malik Heath and Savion Williams, among others.

SHOOT HIMSELF: The Packers pulled away at the Panthers ’14 on their second drive and then self-destructed.

Center Elgton Jenkins was flagged for an illegal play, then Love was sacked by Turk Wharton, who whipped right guard Jordan Morgan. Christian Watson was assessed a false start penalty, then Emanuel Wilson dropped a screen pass.

However, kicker Brandon McManus saved the Packers by making a 49-yard field goal.

PENALTY ISSUES: The Packers had six penalties for 39 yards in the first half and finished with seven penalties for 42 yards.

Rookie Issues: Green Bay rookie wideout Savion Williams lost a fumble on the Packers’ opening drive.

Green Bay drove 55 yards in eight plays and had a first-and-10 at Carolina’s 16. Love lofted a pass to Williams in the left flat, and for some reason he ran behind his colleague Romeo Doubs.

Christian Rozeboom flew in and forced a fumble that Nick Scott recovered.

THIS AND THAT: The Packers were assessed an illegal formation penalty at kickoff, continuing a season-long special teams penalty. … Left guard Aaron Banks left in the second quarter with a stinger and did not return. … Kicker Brandon McManus made his first two field goals, but missed a 43-yarder.

THE UGLY

TUCKER KRAFT INJURY: Green Bay tight end Tucker Kraft is in the midst of an All-Pro season. Kraft started the day with 30 catches for 469 yards and six touchdowns.

So everyone at Lambeau Field held their breath when Kraft suffered a right knee injury in the third quarter.

Green Bay guard Sean Rhyan was blocked backwards and hit Kraft’s knee, which appeared to buckle. Kraft lay still for several minutes, needed help leaving the field and was driven to the locker room.

Kraft turns 25 on Monday and the best gift he and the Packers can get is good news about his knee.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS: Jordan Love provided triple coverage on a deep ball for Christian Watson in the third quarter. Safety Tre’von Moehrig intercepted it and returned it 36 ​​yards to the Green Bay 38.

Love got away with two earlier balls into double coverage. He wasn’t so lucky with this part.