Packers vs. Panthers - 2017 Game Predictions from CheeseheadTV.com

The CheeseheadTV Staff give you their predictions for the upcoming Packers vs. Panthers game.

 

 GAME PREDICTIONS - 2017 Week 15

Green Bay Packers vs. Carolina Panthers

Name Record   Pick Prediction
Andrew 9-4 Carolina Panthers 27-21
Green Bay at Carolina is a tough game to choose. My head thinks the Panthers win. They have had a more consistent defense and Cam Newton is starting to look good again. My heart says the Packers because Rodgers is back, Jamaal Williams is running well and the Packers have to win this to stay alive in the NFC North and playoff picture. This game will be won or lost by Aaron Rodgers' arm. Both teams can defend the run well, but Rodgers has a tougher task against a better Carolina pass defense. He's won like this before, but coming back from this injury and on the road? 
I hate to do it, but head wins out though I do think Rodgers will look fine.
Andy 8-5 Green Bay Packers 27-24
This has all the makings and feel of a playoff game and I expect it to come down to the very end. The question is can the defense make enough plays to stop Carolina's offense? This is a really tough matchup against a good team on the road and nothing is going to come easy. It would be a major letdown to get Aaron Rodgers healthy, only to lose in his first game back and lose any chance at making the playoffs. Green Bay pulls off a nail-bitter
Chris P 9-4 Green Bay Packers 27-20
With Aaron Rodgers back, the Packers are a different. Beating Carolina will be tough in what is essentially a playoff game. But I've learned not to doubt Aaron, so don't be shocked if we wows us again Sunday
Chris W 7-6 Green Bay Packers 27-21
Of the three games left on the schedule, this could turn out to be the toughest. Aaron Rodgers certainly isn’t a cure-all, but he gives the Packers a better chance just by being on the field. The defense takes advantage of an erratic Cam Newton performance and the Packers stay alive. 
Cory 9-4 Green Bay Packers 31-27
The stage is set for high drama in Charlotte. Will Aaron Rodgers have his Superman cape attached when he returns from a seven-week absence? I’m picking the Packers because Rodgers will put the Packers ahead early, allowing the defense to breathe a little.
David 10-3 Green Bay Packers 34-31
Carolina is the superior football team, but never forget about the Aaron Rodgers magic factor. Where some imagine rust I envision instead No. 12 playing like peak Rodgers, even against a talented Panthers defense. The Packers win in a shootout.
Elisha 9-4 Green Bay Packers 31-27
Aaron Rodgers is back and he has a chip on his shoulder (I came up with that all on my own). Carolina's secondary is beatable and they could be without LB Shaq Thompson. The Panthers have an explosive offense led by the ultimate dual-threat quarterback - so it's safe to expect the usual from Capers' defense. That being said, I'm not picking against Rodgers.
Jason 9-4 Green Bay Packers 24-17
Aaron Rodgers gets off to a slow start and this might take a comeback effort, but the Packers squeak one out and keep hope alive.  I don't foresee a big day in the run game but a few turnovers by the defense becomes a key.  Regardless, I'm not betting against Rodgers and these Packers.
Jersey Al 8-5 Carolina Panthers 34-24
I was in full "Run the Table" mode before the Tampa game, but with the defense allowing really bad teams to get out to leads, I don't see how this can end well, Rodgers or not. The Packers' #1 corner for this game is a guy who was awful and benched earlier this season. After that, it's a parade of guys that have hardly played. Burnett will likely be forced to play the slot, which will significantly weaken the safety group, already a problem with no-show Ha-Ha back there. Panthers defense will "contain" the Packers and Newton and the Panthers put up 30+ easily on this defense. Run the Table is over... 
Michelle 8-5 Green Bay Packers 24-21
What kind of shape will Aaron Rodgers be in as he takes the field for the first time in eight weeks? Who cares! He’s Aaron Rodgers! Rodgers’ return combined with Cam Newton dealing with a right shoulder injury could be just the things to give the Packers an opening to sneak by the Panthers in this one...but it will be close. 
Ross 10-3 Carolina Panthers 30-23
I just keep thinking about this game and can’t find the ability to get past the defensive injuries in the secondary. No House is just a killer with KK on IR. Hope I’m wrong.
Zach 7-6 Green Bay Packers 26-21
While I’m trying not to get too accustomed to these miracle runs the Packers are engineering every year, nothing about Cam Newton impresses me. Also, for as much slander as Dom Capers gets, he’s smart. He’ll find a way around these secondary injuries.

 

 

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"Jersey Al" Bracco is the Editor-In-Chief, part owner and wearer of many hats for CheeseheadTV.com and PackersTalk.com. He is also a recovering Mason Crosby truther.  Follow Al on twitter at @JerseyalGBP

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Comments (25)

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Samson's picture

December 16, 2017 at 05:20 pm

If AR played on defense, then I just might pick the Pack. -AR's play may make it a little better for the "D" but not by nearly enough. (TOP)
-- My prediction: AR starts slow and the GB "D" puts the Pack in a hole. AR picks up some steam in the 2nd half but GB falls to a better team on the road.
In the end, a team with a bottom-dwelling "D" can't be rescued by an all-world QB.---(again)
Panthers 34 GB 27

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dobber's picture

December 16, 2017 at 06:44 pm

Sounds like the script when the Packers played Carolina in 2015...

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pacman's picture

December 16, 2017 at 06:15 pm

Does anybody's 'head' really pick the Packers with this injured D? I'll still be rooting for them though.

It always surprises me that at all sports, even pro level, how much of the game is mental prep and drive. You would think that the higher the skill level, the less important it would be.

Unless the offense scores almost every possession to outscore Carolina and secure a win, this D is unlikely to stop any good team.

Turnovers might be the difference tomorrow.

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dobber's picture

December 16, 2017 at 07:10 pm

"Turnovers might be the difference tomorrow."

The Packers don't usually give the ball away (especially with #12 at QB), and Carolina--for having a good D--doesn't force a lot of them. Packers are +7, Carolina is -4 on the season.

...but it only takes one.

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Lphill's picture

December 16, 2017 at 06:29 pm

I think Rodgers is wasting his time and risking injury , the Packers defense is the weak link due to injuries , Nick Perry can't be depended on to stay healthy either, last year our receivers were banged up this year it's defensive backs and linebackers. Just regroup for next year , word is leaking out that Capers is retiring and some linebackers coach is rumored to replace him . That's a nice Christmas gift.

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dobber's picture

December 16, 2017 at 07:11 pm

I just don't think he's really risking that collarbone all that much, based on what I'm hearing from medical professionals (who, admittedly, have not seen his info). People point to Tony Romo and how he "came back too soon" and injured his collarbone, but I watched that game and the hit he took was a pretty significant one: one that might have broken his collarbone if it were healthy. ARod really doesn't take a lot of hard hits, and the one that broke his collarbone--I would argue--was unusual for him.

I don't get the "wasting his time" argument. He has a contract, he's getting paid, he's been cleared, he should play. If the fact that they're trailing in the playoff hunt is what you're referring to, then we should start seeing several good QBs around the league sitting for the remainder of the season...rather than wasting their time.

"word is leaking out that Capers is retiring and some linebackers coach is rumored to replace him "

Means nothing in December unless Capers comes out and says it himself...and if that LB coach is currently with another team, the Packers would be guilty of tampering and risking fines and forfeiture of draft picks if they're talking to him. Those leaks are likely just speculation by web-sters trying to drum up clicks.

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GBPDAN1's picture

December 16, 2017 at 06:40 pm

I believe MM and AR will have this team fired up and they will play hard. But, is it enough due to some issues of concern ?

1) lack of CBs

2) inconsistent pass rush

3) bad D against read option and screen passes?

4) Spriggs

5) Rusty AR / offensive sync?

6) Carolina #5 D and at home

7) our confused Zone D

Now, If we get good games out of Rodgers, Daniels, Perry, Clark, Randell, Burnett, CM3, Martinez, Adams, Nelson, Cobb, Williams, Jones and the O-line, or, at least from the majority of them, we will win. They all have play making ability.

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dobber's picture

December 16, 2017 at 07:03 pm

The Packers desperately need a boost in the pass rush department, but I don't know the nature of Perry's shoulder injury. If it was enough to keep him out last week, it's probably not healed...and as we saw last season with CMIII, a pass-rusher with only one arm can't do too much.

Let's not forget that Carolina is essentially in a playoff situation, too. They'll be motivated.

Packers need to force Newton to throw downfield to beat them. That might sound funny with the nature of the Packers secondary, but Carolina has a decidedly average group of WR and Newton has not been a world-beater throwing the ball. Unless Olsen suddenly starts to play much better--and the Packers have actually defended TE well this season--it's Funchess and McCaffrey as pass-catchers and that's about it.

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Finwiz's picture

December 16, 2017 at 09:09 pm

I hear the logic of what you're saying, the problem is that Carolina may have an AVERAGE group of WR's against the majority of defenses in the NFL, but against the Packers secondary they will instantly become TOP FIVE in the league. Reference what the pedestrian Devin Funchess did to Randall last time we played them. It's very dangerous for any team to be forced to pass against the Packer secondary. We should all be careful what we wish for in that regard!

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Since'61's picture

December 16, 2017 at 08:29 pm

The Packers come out and build a lead with a new found ground game and with Rodgers utilizing Adams as a decoy and hitting Cobb and Jordy.

Rodgers will need to keep Cam's offense and our defense off the field. Our quick passing and ground will control the tempo. OL and ground game keep the pressure off of AR.

I like the Pack in Rodger's return 30 - 26. Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61

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Finwiz's picture

December 16, 2017 at 09:22 pm

Wow, sure are a bunch of homer-writers on this site, not that this is necessarily a bad thing, but only 2 people think Carolina can win, out of 12? That seems a bit abnormal to me, at least by the standards of the national media.

You should of all got together and at least reached on consensus on the 6 that would pick Carolina, so it actually gave the impression the site was somewhat objective. As it is the bias is obvious. I'd prefer a dose of real objective analysis, vs. having a bunch of pom-pom wavers blow smoke up my proverbial arse.

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marpag1's picture

December 17, 2017 at 04:30 am

Gotta agree with you on this one. Obviously, anything is possible. But is it likely that a 7-6 road dog with a banged up sieve-like defense and a QB who hasn't played in two months and isn't 100% healthy anyway is going to go on the road and beat a 9-4 Carolina team whose only bad loss was a stinker on the road in Chicago? and only three people in a dozen pick Carolina? Wow.

I'm cheering for a win, but there's no way I'd put actual significant money on Green Bay.

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HankScorpio's picture

December 17, 2017 at 06:22 am

Comparing the writers on a fan blog to the national media is sort of missing the point that this is a fan blog, not a media outlet.

If you prefer "objective reality", then perhaps you should avoid fan blogs.

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

December 16, 2017 at 10:32 pm

For what it is worth, As I posted late last night. I was at GVR & checked out the board. For the 2ond time this year, the Sports Book has the GB game circled on the board, along with 2 other lop sided games.
The Jags -11 1/2 & NO - 15 1/2. GB is +2 1/2. They are limiting the Big Money on these games. WHY?? They are obviously worried about the amount of money showing up on 1 side of these games. Which way, only they know. If I had to guess, I would say the Chalk. When I saw the Circled Game, the 1st thing that went through my mind was, Is AR even going to play, & how much? Does anybody know? Like I told you the day before AR got hurt, these people know what they are doing. They are Concerned about something??? I give GB a shot in this game with a 100% AR. It's a SB. If they can't win this game, they can't beat anybody, Maybe Detroit.
LVT

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marpag1's picture

December 17, 2017 at 04:40 am

I agree with you.... It's NOT a slam dunk that ARod plays, or plays the whole game. If that spread starts widening, it means that people are hearing, or at least fearing, that ARod isn't going to play.

I don't EXPECT it, but I won't be stunned if the game opens with Hundley under center

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HankScorpio's picture

December 17, 2017 at 08:36 am

" the 1st thing that went through my mind was, Is AR even going to play, & how much? Does anybody know"

Barring another injury, what possible reason would you bench him for Brett Hundley?

Yes, everyone knows. Everyone except for a few people that are overthinking this thing by a lot. Rodgers is playing., The plan is to play him the entire game. Activating him and then leaving him on the sidelines for even a single snap is foolish.

What people don't know is how good he will play after such a long layoff---and by extension how close GB will be to the team that was 4-1 going into the game he got hurt.

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marpag1's picture

December 17, 2017 at 09:35 am

There have been many news stories this week - most notably one by Ian Rappaport - which claimed that Packers medical personnel and execs have been very much divided about whether ARod should return this week.

I expect him to play, but I don't know if it's the stone cold slam dunk that you think it is.

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HankScorpio's picture

December 17, 2017 at 09:49 am

"Have been" is the key part. As in past tense. That was why the announcement that he was cleared to play was about 36 hours after the scan. Once he was cleared, it became a slam dunk. If not then, once he was activated.

They would not have activated him to the roster to not suit him up and then would not suit him up to hold a clip board for even a single play. What is the point of that? Every single indicator is pointing to him starting. Including those from him, from McCarthy, from the team, from the beat reporters, from practice observations to the tweet this morning showing him walking from the bus to the locker room.

Slam dunks are not as sure a thing as Rodgers starting today. He'd have to suffer a new injury in warmups.

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dobber's picture

December 17, 2017 at 01:28 pm

I don't think they cut Callahan to activate ARod if they don't plan to use ARod.

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EdsLaces's picture

December 16, 2017 at 11:20 pm

With our completely busted up Defense Dom either calls the game of his life and we win or he doesn't and we get smashed. 27 28 pack. Nailbiter.

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dobber's picture

December 17, 2017 at 05:35 am

Carolina 27-13.

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Johnblood27's picture

December 17, 2017 at 09:30 am

Lets say that Carolina truly believes that ARod is playing. Pack starts Hundley and runs the ball vs a defense geared to stop ARod's passing game. Early success.

ARod comes in for the second quarter after Carolina blows up weeks planning and makes them shift back to their original defensive plan, chaos ensues. Later success.

ARod is jacked for this game. He WANTS to play vs minny next week. He NEEDS to play vs minny next week. This is a revenge tour and beating Carolina is the only way the game next week means anything to ARod's teammates. He will engineer a win.

I am far more worried about the Detroit game as far as Packer playoff hopes go. That will be a donut-trap game for motivation after ARod's return game this week and revenge game next week vs minny.

All that said, CB is a nightmare. I watched Revis playing for KC last night, he was signed a couple weeks ago. Why, oh why didnt we sign this vet? TT has officially gone to sleep for the winter. Revis isnt #1 material anymore, but he beats the hell out of anyone not named Randall currently playing CB for GB.

Packers still had-have playoff hopes. Why in the world would TT not bring in ONE VET to stabilize the ship for a few weeks and give this team a chance? Our secondary is IR'ed to death, there is no cavalry coming to the rescue off the DL. SIGN SOMEONE FOR ONCE!!!! The situation demanded it and TT whiffed once again. I get the young guy stepping up theme, but sometimes situations demand different approcaches, this was one of them.

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Johnblood27's picture

December 17, 2017 at 09:32 am

Prediction... PAIN!!!

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Johnblood27's picture

December 17, 2017 at 09:34 am

Expectation...

more of the same.

Good defensive play on 1st and 2nd downs, total collapse on 3rd. Defense cannot get off the field, no TOP for our offense, MM presses and makes offense one dimensional leading to failure. ARod finds a way to make it close in 4th but defense gives up late possession/score to seal road loss and dash playoff hopes.

Seen this before?

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cheesycowboy's picture

December 17, 2017 at 10:27 am

I fear the next topic will be: Should Aaron Rodgers play in two meaningless games? I hope I'm wrong though.

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