Look, I want Joe Barry gone too. For all the times the defense looks good, there are exponentially more where they look inept, soft, lazy, slow and just overall poorly coached. It's not like this group lacks talent. And they've shown at times they're talented. But they're out of position too much and I have to think Matt LaFleur is just doing his coach a solid by not openly trashing his game plans in press conferences. On the subject of LaFleur, he's proven to give at least one too many chances, sometimes more.

I know it has to be hard to fire someone but ultimately, these decisions are costing the development of the team. When you have such a young group, you need the very best coaches to get them in position. They need to learn how to communicate, how to be in the right spot. They need to be put in the best position to succeed and they're not.

I fully expect Barry to be let go, but I'm not surprised LaFleur is letting him see it through. Consistency is also a good thing, but not at the cost of the locker room. Cryptic comments on social media are usually indicative of something larger at play so if those increase, it'll affect LaFleur and his standing among the rest of the team, too. The offense has developed plenty this season. The same cannot be said for the defense, and that goes to their leadership. I don't know much... but I do know that Joe Barry will not be the defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers in 2024.

Now, time to turn the page to this week's Christmas Eve match-up and opponent, the Carolina Panthers. So up goes the periscope to take a look at the past, present and future of the Packers and Carolina Cats.

The Past

The Packers lead the all-time series 11-6, with the most recent victory coming in 2020 on a snow-covered Lambeau Field by a 24-16 score. The Packers have taken the last two in the series and three out of the last five. But the last visit to Carolina in 2017, with Aaron Rodgers just returned from a broken collarbone, was a 31-24 victory in favor of the home team.

However, one particular match-up between these two foes stands above the rest. January 12, 1997 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI with a -17 wind chill. The Packers hosted the upstart Panthers and their coach Dom Capers in the NFC Championship with a trip to New Orleans on the line. Everything broke right for the Packers that year, although I'm sure there's some lament we weren't able to get Dallas in that game for some true revenge. But, alas, it wasn't meant to be and in came Kerry Collins and one of the league's newest franchises.

With all the energy and excitement for the game, though, Carolina came out swinging. After the Packers forced an early punt, Brett Favre was intercepted inside their own five yard line setting up Carolina for a bunny touchdown from Collins to Howard Griffith to make it 7-0. The ensuing kickoff, though, phenom Desmond Howard popped a huge return into Carolina territory and the Packers run game got into field goal range, but kicker Chris Jacke missed.

At 7-0, The Packers got it back and used a balanced attack, led by Dorsey Levens, to get quickly back into scoring range. One of the game's most iconic plays was a Favre-to-Levens 29-yard leaping touchdown grab to put it at 7-7. After a John Kasay 22 yard field goal, the Packers scooted back down the field again, when Favre hit Antonio Freeeman for 6 yards out on a nasty sluggo route from 86. With time winding down in the second, Collins went deep but was picked in impressive fashion by a leaping Tyrone Williams. The Packers were able to make them pay with a late Jacke field goal and 17-10 lead at the break.

In the second, the Packers built on their lead. Getting the ball, Favre chunked the offense down the field, even using his patented acrobatics to keep the chains moving. But the drive stalled and another Jacke kick extended the lead to 20-10. After an impressive Carolina drive stalled out, Kasay cut it to one possession at 20-13. But that would be it for the Carolina scoring. An Edgar Bennett 4-yard touchdown run late in the third and one more Jacke kick in the fourth for good measure iced the game and propelled the Packers down to the Bayou.

A truly amazing moment and one any of us who were able to watch won't forget. Finally getting over the hump, at Lambeau Field no less, to get this storied franchise back to the Super Bowl.

The Present

If we think our team stinks right now, just imagine what the vibes must be like in Charlotte. After trading a ransom for the #1 overall pick Bryce Young, the Panthers have fell flat on their faces in 2023. It has to sting extra to see C.J. Stroud lighting it up, too. Young has certainly struggled in his rookie season. In fact, he hasn't hit 200 yards passing since October 29. Since then, the team has fired its coach Frank Reich, and shown to just be a poorly managed team stemming from their meddling owner David Tepper.

Make no mistake, this is a game the Packers should win and win handily. Carolina is about as inept offensively as you can get BUT... we've seen poor offenses find their stride against Joe Barry's unit. Defensively for Carolina, however, they boast one of the league's stingiest passing defenses. Jordan Love will need to be on his A-game to move the ball against them, and be better than he has the last two weeks.

The Future

Noon kick Lambeau time, Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC on Christmas Eve. The Packers enter the game 4.5 point favorites, and Vegas expects a snoozer with a 36.5 over under. I tend to agree - I think the Packers win, but I think this one is a little rough. I think the Packers offense struggles to pass a little but, but ultimately, I think they contain the Panthers passing game. But with Miles Sanders and Chuba Hubbard in the backfield, they could certainly run all over Green Bay and their pourous-to-put-it-nicely run defense.

The Packers aren't yet out of it, but now need some help. Winning Sunday will help keep the hope alive for another week, but it's certainly grim. As always, I can't wait to see how it all shakes out.