Packers and Panthers trying to
bounce back as they face off at Lambeau Field
[October 29, 2026]
By STEVE MEGARGEE
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — A pair of ticked-off teams will square off
when the Green Bay Packers face the Carolina Panthers on Thursday
night.
The Packers (4-3) are angry over a 20-17 loss at Detroit in which
they got penalized seven times in the second half, leading to
postgame critiques of the officiating. Carolina (3-3) is mad at
itself after getting blown out 43-13 at home by the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers.
So neither team should have any trouble finding motivation.
“Just for us, this is the next game, this is the next championship
opportunity,” Panthers coach Dave Canales said. "But I’m also fully
aware there’s a human element involved. And for us, coming off of
that loss in the fashion that we lost, for the Packers, a really
tough loss for them as well, there’s something that burns inside of
you as a competitor. And in me, in our players, certainly in the
Green Bay Packers’ locker room, too.”
Green Bay comes into this one with injury issues on its offensive
line after losing starting center Sean Rhyan and backup Jacob Monk
in the Lions game. Right guard Travis Glover won't play Thursday due
to a knee issue.
This continues a season-long problem for the Packers, who have had
different starting offensive line combinations in each of their
first four games.
“It’s different, but at the end of the day, we still trust the
guys,” said Packers running back Josh Jacobs, who made his season
debut Sunday after spending Green Bay’s first six games on the
commissioner’s exempt list. “I know for the running backs and the
O-line, we met together just with us. We went over the film and
stuff like that, and the standard is still the standard regardless
of who’s in there.”
Green Bay also will be missing linebacker Zaire Franklin (shin) for
a second straight game. Carolina has ruled out cornerback Akayleb
Evans (triceps/knee), guard Damien Lewis (knee), outside linebacker
Jaelan Phillips (hamstring) and offensive lineman Torricelli
Simpkins (ankle).
This represents a rematch of a game the Panthers won 16-13 at
Lambeau Field last year.
“We know that doesn’t entitle us to anything," Panthers quarterback
Bryce Young said. "It’s a new year, new season, new guys on both
sides of the ball. For us, that’s not something we’re pulling from
or referencing.”
The Packers lost to Carolina last season in part because of their
inability to capitalize when they got inside the opponent’s 35-yard
line, a problem that also proved costly Sunday at Detroit.
Carolina would love to see its defense show that same kind of
stinginess Thursday after allowing the Buccaneers to run wild.
“I’m sure we have a very motivated team coming in here, and
certainly one that we know is dangerous,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur
said. “Shoot, they came in here last year and beat us. But I think
we’re motivated as well, and we’ve got to bounce back.”
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love throws a pass during the
second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions,
Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Need to know
Carolina (3-3) at Green Bay (4-3)
When/where to watch: Thursday, 8:15 p.m. EDT, Prime Video
Latest odds: Packers by 3½
Against the spread: Panthers 3-3; Packers 3-3-1
Last week: Panthers lost 43-13 at home to Tampa Bay Buccaneers;
Packers lost 20-17 at Detroit
Last meeting: Panthers beat Packers 16-13 on Nov. 2, 2025, in Green
Bay, Wisconsin
Series record: Packers lead 12-7
Matchup to watch
Packers running game vs. Panthers run defense. This matchup features
each team’s biggest weakness. Green Bay is running for an NFL-low
59.9 yards per game, while Carolina is allowing a league-high 153.2
yards rushing per game. Carolina allowed Tampa Bay to rush for 258
yards on Sunday in what defensive tackle Derrick Brown called an
“embarrassing performance.” Green Bay hasn’t run for more than 86
yards in any game this season.
Stats and stuff
— Panthers QB Bryce Young ranks second in the NFL in passing yards
per game (285.3). He has thrown a touchdown pass in eight straight
games, including playoffs.
— Carolina ranks fifth in the NFL in points per game (26.5) and
yards per game (381.3).
— The Panthers have an NFL-leading nine receivers with at least one
25-yard catch this season.
— Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard rushed for at least 120 yards in two
straight games before being limited to 33 yard on seven carries
against the Bucs.
— Carolina has a league-high 79.2 penalty yards per game. Green Bay
is second with 78 penalty yards per game. The Packers have a
league-high 9.3 penalties per game.
— The Packers have a league-high 33 plays from scrimmage of at least
20 yards. Packers QB Jordan Love has a league-leading 30 completions
of at least 20 yards.
— Packers WR Christian Watson has six touchdown catches to rank
second in the NFL. Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba has eight.
— Packers K Trey Smack missed field goal attempts from 26 and 35
yards in the loss to the Lions. The 35-yarder was deflected.
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