Game Preview: Packers vs. Panthers, Week 7

What to watch when the Carolina Panthers take on the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday.

Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson and Richard Rodgers by Benny Sieu—USA TODAY Sports.

Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson and Richard Rodgers by Benny Sieu—USA TODAY Sports.

The Carolina Panthers (3-2-1) travel to Lambeau Field for a date with the Green Bay Packers (4-2) on Sunday Oct. 19 at 12:00 p.m. CT, televised on Fox.

 

The Big Picture: What's at Stake?

After a 1-2 start to the season, the Packers are winners of three straight games and are feeling good about themselves heading into a match-up on their home turf.

The Panthers, led by quarterback Cam Newton, represent the obstacle standing in the way of four consecutive wins and the Packers potentially becoming one of the hottest teams in the NFL.

 

What to Watch When the Packers Have the Ball

A) Aaron Rodgers Taking Advantage of an New-Look Carolina Secondary: Coming off a fourth-quarter comeback against the Dolphins in Week 6, Rodgers is getting used to taking advantage of opposing secondaries. With a 15-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio that's the most impressive in the NFL, Rodgers can dissect a defense.

There's been an overhaul of the cornerback position in Carolina now that last year's starters—Chris Gamble and Captain Munnerlyn—are gone. They've been replaced by Antoine Cason and Josh Norman in the starting lineup, and the new duo have taken their lumps to open the 2014 season.

Rodgers should be able to find holes against this secondary that ranks 20th in the NFL against the pass, allowing an average of 252.3 yards per game through the air.

B) Getting More Receivers Involved: In the win over the Dolphins last week, the Packers only had five players catch passes, showing a lack of diversity in their offense.

Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb will continue to be options A and B in the passing game, but the Packers have to be mindful about defenses game-planning to limit their effectiveness.

With Davante Adams emerging and Jarrett Boykin getting healthier, there are options at wide receiver. The tight end and running back positions, however, remains under-utilized in the passing game. 

C) Stopping Pressure Off the Edge: Neither Packers offensive tackle had a solid showing in Miami with both Bryan Bulaga and David Bakhtiari giving up their fair share of pressure on the quarterback.

Last Sunday it was Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon wreaking havoc on Aaron Rodgers. And while the Panthers don't have quite the same level of pass-rushing talent, the Packers tackles still have to be wary.

Green Bay's 15 sacks allowed ranks as the seventh-most in league this season. Protecting Rodgers will always be Priority No. 1 in Green Bay. 

 

What to Watch When the Panthers Have the Ball

A) Reserve Cornerbacks Thrust into Bigger Roles: After both players were injured in the Packers' last game at Miami, Sam Shields (knee) has already been ruled out of the Panthers game and Tramon Williams (ankle) has been listed as "questionable" on the team's injury report.

Even if Williams is able to play, the backup cornerbacks on the Packers roster will take on bigger roles, and they appear to be ready for it. Both Davon House and Casey Hayward rank in the Top 10 of opposing quarterback passer rating when throwing into their coverage area, according to ProFootballFocus.com (premium content).

Jarrett Bush also figures to play more often in the Packers' nickel and dime packages, and even rookie Demetri Goodson might be active for the first time in his career.

B) Clay Matthews Stopping Cam Newton's Rushing Ability: Matthews has endured criticism for coming up with only one sack through the first six games of the season, but his performance against the read-option may be the even bigger factor this week.

In previous seasons, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has run rampant through the Packers defense. This season, both Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks and Ryan Tannehill of the Miami Dolphins have used the read-option to their benefit.

Had the Packers met Newton earlier in the season, they may not have had much to worry about. Following offseason ankle surgery and a broken rib sustained in the preseason, Newton rushed for only 42 games through Week 5. However, he showed he's nearly back to his old self, rushing for 107 yards and a touchdown last week against the Cincinnati Bengals.

C) Jamari Lattimore Health Watch: Through aggressive play, Lattimore earned a job in the Packers starting lineup. Even after Brad Jones returned from a quadriceps injury in Week 5, Jamari Lattimore had overtaken him on the depth chart.

Then injury struck and Lattimore exited the Packers' game at Miami last week with a neck injury and didn't return. Jones replaced Lattimore and had several costly mistakes, including a penalty wiping out a sack and a missed tackle in the fourth quarter.

The Packers received some good news when Lattimore returned to practice this week, however, it was merely on a limited basis. It remains to be seen whether Lattimore will play against the Panthers or they'll turn to Jones out of necessity.

 

What to Watch on Special Teams

Avoiding Mistakes: Coming into Week 6, the Packers' play on special teams had been commendable. Then they went to Miami and the wheels seemed to come off.

On the Packers' first kickoff, Kevin Dorsey—playing in his first NFL regular season game—lost contain, resulting in a 54-yard return by Jarvis Landry. Then later that same drive, Julius Peppers was called for a neutral-zone infraction (even though it appeared Mike Daniels jumped offsides), leading to a 48-yard field goal instead of a 53-yard field goal.

To round out the comedy of errors, Lattimore (before injury) appeared to be more interested in covering a punt than in his protection responsibilities, leading to a block. These were no small errors, ones the Packers will look to avoid going forward.

 

Brian Carriveau is the author of the book "It's Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America," and editor at Cheesehead TV and its "Pro Football Draft Preview." To contact Brian, email [email protected].

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Comments (5)

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Lphill's picture

October 18, 2014 at 02:16 pm

my COW impersonation, prediction, talentless Packers lead by Rodgers past his prime will be decimated by the superior talent loaded Panthers , dont let young children or faint hearts watch this game.

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lucky953's picture

October 19, 2014 at 12:31 am

I mostly agree and would add two things. It's not CM3 v Cam, it's the entire LB corp. the lack of speed and athleticism makes defending the read option a disaster. Secondly, I think the Packers run game is vital. I would pound the Panthers early, get those weak safeties up, then hit play action downfield. Big game for Lacy and Nelson. Put a GB uniform on Kuechly and we win by three TDs.

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NickPerry's picture

October 19, 2014 at 09:27 am

Totally agree, have to get Lacy involved and stay with it (Not just on 1st down Mike). Lacy needs to make his cut and go! Against Minnesota he made his decision, made his cut, and ran North and South. One last thing, call a F'ing Screen pass McCarthy! Try getting Harris involved, especially in the screen game. I've seen him for just a handful of snaps this year but one was against the Jets where he caught a little dump off and gained 11 for a 1st down.
Huge mistake not signing Owen Daniels this year. Whatever Richard Rodgers showed in camp this summer must be because he wa going against the Packers ILB'S. His blocking is horrendous.

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UncleChubb's picture

October 19, 2014 at 09:17 am

Sign Crabtree

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murphy's picture

October 19, 2014 at 11:28 am

Can he play ILB?

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