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In Week 8 the Packers rallied from a 16-7 halftime deficit to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 35-25, powered by Jordan Love’s 360-yard, 3-TD performance and a franchise-record tying streak of 20 consecutive completions. Tight end Tucker Kraft posted a breakout night with 143 yards and two scores, and the defense forced multiple punts and a turnover as the game slipped away from Pittsburgh late. (packers.com) Overall, Green Bay enters Week 9 at 5-1-1, riding a three-game win streak, having won all three home games and showing balanced offense and opportunistic defense. Their offensive efficiency (yards/play, success rate) has risen in each of the past four games, particularly through the air. On defense, pressure rate has been solid, especially in rush situations, and they’ve tightened third-down efficiency allowing fewer conversions per attempt. Their road performances remain inconsistent, but home field at Lambeau Field has given them a sharp edge. Momentum clearly swings toward the Packers.
Injuries
Offense: Dontayvion Wicks – WR – Out (packers.com) Josh Jacobs – RB – Questionable (packers.com) Brandon McManus – K – Questionable (packers.com) Defense: Quay Walker – LB – Questionable (packers.com) Lukas Van Ness – DL – Out (packers.com) Nick Niemann – LB – Out (packers.com)
Coaching & Scheme
Offensively, head coach Matt LaFleur with OC Adam Stenavich leans heavily into a balanced attack—Jordan Love has shown off his deep and intermediate accuracy with high completion percentage, especially in play-action and high-leverage third-downs. Tucker Kraft's emergence as a YAC threat has stretched defenses and opened lanes underneath for backs like Jacobs and Wilson. Protections have improved after slow starts. Defensively, DC Jeff Hafley has leaned into aggressive edge rush packages; Micah Parsons and Rashan Gary have consistently disrupted the pocket, while inside linebackers like Walker (if healthy) and substitutes sharpen tackling angles. They mix single-high Cover-1 with zone shells depending on opponent down-and-distance, with pressure shares among the front reducing dependency on blitzes.
Matchup Analysis
Carolina comes in averaging a poor road performance and struggling especially against strong passing offenses. Their pass defense ranks bottom third in the league, particularly in yards per attempt and success rate on medium-to-deep throws. That suits Green Bay well, as Love has been efficient from the intermediate levels, and with players like Watson returning, they can push vertically. Carolina’s rushing attack struggles if the line is compromised; Green Bay’s interior defensive front has been stout against runs over the past two games, limiting opponent success on first and second downs. Meanwhile, Green Bay’s own offensive line is dealing with uncertainty, but Carolina’s pass rush hasn’t proven capable of generating consistent pressure, which should give Love time to work. Special teams edge slightly favors GB with McManus questionable though; Carolina has suffered penalties and coverage breakdowns lately, giving GB chances in hidden yardage.
Team Summary
Green Bay has developed a clear identity: tight, opportunistic, and peaking at home. When Love is clean in the pocket and the run game keeps defenses honest, their offense flows; on defense, strength is gained from rush, turnovers, and limiting explosive plays. Carolina arrives at Lambeau with racial depth concerns—especially on the OL and LB—and quarterback uncertainty has filtered into their play-calling and risk tolerance. To win, Packers need Love to avoid turnovers, attack Carolina’s soft secondary, and avoid self-inflicted wounds. Carolina would need exceptional play from Bryce Young (or a solid backup performance), success in the trenches, and perhaps non-offensive scoring to stay within striking distance.
Key Takeaway
Green Bay has too many favorable matchups here not to win big at home. The line is steep, but their offensive and defensive edges align with what the market has priced. The Panthers’ bileg injury issues and defensive limitations point toward a blowout unless something breaks dramatically.