The Green Bay Packers built a big lead and then held on. Jordan Love threw three touchdown passes as Green Bay beat the Carolina Panthers 27-19 on Thursday Night Football at Lambeau Field.
"Packers vs Panthers" was among the most-searched terms in the U.S., with more than 500,000 searches as fans followed the game and a scary injury to Christian Watson.
Packers vs Panthers Final Score
- Final: Packers 27, Panthers 19
- Halftime: Packers 20, Panthers 10
- Records: Green Bay improves to 5-3; Carolina falls to 3-4
The Packers led 27-10 midway through the third quarter before the Panthers rallied. Carolina outgained Green Bay 109-32 in the fourth quarter, but the comeback came up short.
Jordan Love Leads the Way
Jordan Love completed 30 of 41 passes for 288 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. His scoring throws went to:
- Tucker Kraft: 12 yards
- Matthew Golden: 24 yards
- Josh Jacobs: 4 yards
Jacobs also ran in a 1-yard touchdown. He was held to 39 yards on 21 carries, but he scored twice.
Christian Watson Injury Update
The night's scariest moment came with 9:11 left in the first half, when receiver Christian Watson left the field in an ambulance with a chest injury. Doctors examined him at a local hospital and cleared him, and he returned to Lambeau Field and back into the game.
Watson finished with 8 catches for 113 yards. His 7-yard catch on third-and-2 with 2:33 left sealed the win by letting Green Bay run out the clock. He did lose a fumble in the first half.
Panthers Fall Short
Carolina quarterback Bryce Young went 23 of 41 for 209 yards with one touchdown and one interception, and he was sacked six times. Running back Chuba Hubbard led the Panthers with 81 rushing yards and a touchdown, while rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan caught six passes for 58 yards.
Carolina's best chance ended with 2:41 left, when Young threw incomplete on fourth-and-5 near midfield. Kicker Ryan Fitzgerald added field goals of 39 and 50 yards for the Panthers, who finished with 258 total yards to Green Bay's 354.
Mistakes on Both Sides
The game was far from clean:
- Carolina's Coleman Owen fumbled the opening kickoff.
- Green Bay kicker Trey Smack missed an extra point, adding to a rough stretch for the rookie.
What It Means
The win keeps Green Bay in the hunt in a crowded NFC North, and the defense finished strong, with rookie Dani Dennis-Sutton recording a sack with four seconds left. Carolina, meanwhile, drops below .500 and must find answers on its offensive line after allowing six sacks and nine quarterback hits. The Panthers showed fight late, but early turnovers and a slow start were too much to overcome on the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Packers vs Panthers?
The Packers won 27-19 on Thursday Night Football.
Is Christian Watson OK?
He was taken to a hospital with a chest injury but was cleared and returned to the game.
What is the Packers' record?
Green Bay is 5-3 after the win.