Packers vs Panthers Pre Game Thread

[Zartan]

Haven't seen one posted yet so here it is

 

[formerlybis]

Haven't seen a lot of Carolina this year, but they're 4-4 and beat the Cowboys (albeit in Charlotte), so they should have our full attention (even though we're a double-digit favorite). They got whomped by Buffalo last week, but had Andy Dalton at QB - Bryce Young is expected back for Sunday's game. He had been out with a high-ankle sprain, so may not be at full mobility.

 

[milani]

Haven't seen a lot of Carolina this year, but they're 4-4 and beat the Cowboys (albeit in Charlotte), so they should have our full attention (even though we're a double-digit favorite). They got whomped by Buffalo last week, but had Andy Dalton at QB - Bryce Young is expected back for Sunday's game. He had been out with a high-ankle sprain, so may not be at full mobility.

The Panthers are doing OK. They find ways to win football games. Bryce Young gives them a chance. Their 31-0 win over Atlanta the week after the Falcons shut down the Vikings was very impressive. And yet, very unpredictable. That is what the Panthers are like. So we cannot take them lightly and should ignore the past. Their injury list is not so different from ours.

 

[McKnowledge]

Dominate this team. Jump out early. Get after Young/Dalton. Shut down the running game. Bully the rookie WR with Valentine. Use the pass to set up the run. Keep the proverbial foot on their necks. This is a potential trap game.

 

[milani]

Dominate this team. Jump out early. Get after Young/Dalton. Shut down the running game. Bully the rookie WR with Valentine. Use the pass to set up the run. Keep the proverbial foot on their necks. This is a potential trap game.

The Bills were angry last week after a couple lackluster games. They took it out on Carolina. We have take some of our frustartions out on them regardless of our record.

 

[Sanguine camper]

The Panthers do one thing well and that is running the football. If the defense throtles the run game, Carolina won't be able to keep up. If they establish the run game early and keep the offense off the field, it could be a frustrating afternoon. Hard to know which Packers team will show up week to week or even quarter to quarter.

If the Packers play up to their ability, Carolina will be on the bottom side of a lopsided score.

 

[gopkrs]

Could be a good time for Banks to show he can be a road grader

 

[OldSchool101]

I like our chances on this one. We’re coming off an emotional high with a trifecta of Wins and a pair of W’s on the Road. Now we’re back home and actually gradually looking healthy.

Wyatt is back, Tom was pushed in a little soon, but I think with each passing week his abdominal injury will heal. Watson is back. Plus we have glimmers of positivity that Van Ness and eventually even Reed are healing up and are back in the pipeline.

Hoping Josh gets limited practices to get him back up to speed. I might even consider balancing the workload more using Emmanuel, he’s looked very hungry out there and might take some stress off Jacobs for the week.

This is a game we should score 30pts here. Also Carolina gave up 7 Sacks last week. I could see us racking up some Sack totals later in the game as the Carolina OL wears down.

 

[gopkrs]

Could be a good time for Banks to show he can be a road grader

I have to admit though. I am not enamored with a line coach that can't teach run blicking or just has a bad plan. I just read a LaFleur quote where he said people where not in the right places when blocking for Jacobs.

 

[Magooch]

This is another game that - on paper - should be an easy win for us.

In actuality...we'll see

 

[milani]

The Panthers do one thing well and that is running the football. If the defense throtles the run game, Carolina won't be able to keep up. If they establish the run game early and keep the offense off the field, it could be a frustrating afternoon. Hard to know which Packers team will show up week to week or even quarter to quarter.

If the Packers play up to their ability, Carolina will be on the bottom side of a lopsided score.

The plan will be to force them to throw and keep them behind the sticks. Then let our pass rush tee off. But we have to put up some points to force them to open up. The following week you have the double threat with Barkley and Hurts before we even get to playing pass defense.

 

[El Guapo]

Last year the Packers dominated the average and bad teams, but struggled against the top teams (Philly, Detroit, Minnesota).

This year the Packers are dominating the top teams, but struggling against the average and bad teams.

I predict another struggle.

 

[formerlybis]

Again, haven't seen a lot of this year's version of Carolina. With Bryce Young, I don't think they're near the pushover on offense that the vibe here is suggesting - the 7 sacks given up to Buffalo were with Andy Dalton back there.

Defensively, it looks like they're right at the top third for yards, but scoring-wise may have been disadvantaged by their offense giving up turnovers and short fields for them to defend. Given the Pack's maddening lack of takeaways so far, I don't know about putting up 30 unless that trend can be broken.

I do expect a win, but I'm wary about it going sideways - had the same feeling going into the Az game, but at least this one's in Lambeau

 

[DoURant]

Given the Pack's maddening lack of takeaways so far, I don't know about putting up 30 unless that trend can be broken.

We are 3-0 at home, scoring 27 pts in all 3 games... Hopefully that's all they need to beat Carolina, who are 1-3 on the road, and were beat convincingly in the 3 losses. They play much better at home, aside for the beat down Buffalo gave them, minus Young.

 

[OldSchool101]

Again, haven't seen a lot of this year's version of Carolina. With Bryce Young, I don't think they're near the pushover on offense that the vibe here is suggesting - the 7 sacks given up to Buffalo were with Andy Dalton back there.

Defensively, it looks like they're right at the top third for yards, but scoring-wise may have been disadvantaged by their offense giving up turnovers and short fields for them to defend. Given the Pack's maddening lack of takeaways so far, I don't know about putting up 30 unless that trend can be broken.

I do expect a win, but I'm wary about it going sideways - had the same feeling going into the Az game, but at least this one's in Lambeau

Similarly (and conversely) I’m not sure why every week we resort to being afraid of other teams? Every team risks losing any game they play. That shouldn’t infer that we should expect to play weak against our opponents. As far as scoring 30pts against the Panthers? theres absolutely no reason that should be some insurmountable feat. Heck we’re average near 28 points. We just scored 35 points and that was largely without our run game. If our Run game gets going this might be a runaway game. I think you are somewhat underestimating the Packers at some fear of being disappointed if they lose. I think the Packers Team deserves a better fan outlook than expecting to falter everytime we turnaround. I know you disagree and trust me I’m fully aware of the sector of fans with that theology and you guys have every right to have your opinion.. and I have every right to respectfully disagree. I guess I’m just super thankful that you don’t play for us! You’d envision us right into a Loss.

 

[Pugger]

This week will be no different - limit our penalties and don't turn it over we'll win. When we screw up like we did against Cleveland and Dallas things didn't go all that great.

 

[Firethorn1001]

Similarly (and conversely) I’m not sure why every week we resort to being afraid of other teams?

Perpetually afraid of other teams then people complain in threads that they aren't blowing them out. Can't have it both ways. Can't talk teams up then get upset when the game is close.

 

[formerlybis]

Perpetually afraid of other teams then people complain in threads that they aren't blowing them out. Can't have it both ways. Can't talk teams up then get upset when the game is close.

A. I'm not sure those are the same people. I was wary of Az and was happy as hell that they pulled it out in dramatic fashion - it's still possible to be critical of tactics, but I, for one, was not surprised at the narrow escape.

B. I'd say there's a difference between "afraid of" and "respecting". Except for the true few bottom-feeders, every team is capable of beating anyone. The pregame chatter is useful in identifying how the opponent might plausibly do that. Pointing those potential scenarios out does not mean you think they're more likely to happen than the Pack winning a game they should - it's just managing expectations.

 

[DoURant]

A. I'm not sure those are the same people. I was wary of Az and was happy as hell that they pulled it out in dramatic fashion - it's still possible to be critical of tactics, but I, for one, was not surprised at the narrow escape.

B. I'd say there's a difference between "afraid of" and "respecting". Except for the true few bottom-feeders, every team is capable of beating anyone. The pregame chatter is useful in identifying how the opponent might plausibly do that. Pointing those potential scenarios out does not mean you think they're more likely to happen than the Pack winning a game they should - it's just managing expectations.

You hit the nail, square on the head in your point "B"

 

[OldSchool101]

Perpetually afraid of other teams then people complain in threads that they aren't blowing them out. Can't have it both ways. Can't talk teams up then get upset when the game is close.

So true @Firethorn1001!

You’ve just gotta let go and be a little vulnerable to be a Packer fan and enjoy the season fully. It’s like the whole “better to love and lost” thing. Go heart first.. no regrets
I guess that goes for the Brewers too! I was afraid to watch at times. But if you think our fans are miserable.. if you need a little comfort after a Browns game? Just imagine being a Bears or Cowboys fan!

I will always cover my tracks by saying that our opponent is trying to Win just like us. We’ve got to go in there with humility and perform and never be arrogant or act like our opponent wouldn’t just love to throttle us.

 

[Magooch]

A. I'm not sure those are the same people. I was wary of Az and was happy as hell that they pulled it out in dramatic fashion - it's still possible to be critical of tactics, but I, for one, was not surprised at the narrow escape.

B. I'd say there's a difference between "afraid of" and "respecting". Except for the true few bottom-feeders, every team is capable of beating anyone. The pregame chatter is useful in identifying how the opponent might plausibly do that. Pointing those potential scenarios out does not mean you think they're more likely to happen than the Pack winning a game they should - it's just managing expectations.

And just as easy to say "We *should* blow out this team, but here's why I'm worried that we won't" or "This should be an easy win but sometimes it seems like we play down to our opponent. If that's the case it will be tougher than it ought to be" or so on. Is that "having it both ways?" I mean...I guess? I don't see any conflict or inconsistency in either of those statements, but to each their own...

IMO that knife also cuts both ways too. It's just as easy to "hedge" in the leadup to a game by listing the reasons why a team who is objectively mediocre (at best - 24th off EPA, 23rd def EPA) could be a trap game, tougher than anticipated, bad matchup, misleading stats/record, etc... then if we don't play particularly well one can point back and say "see, I told you it would be tough," as though it's more a reflection of an underrated opponent than anything else... Anyone can play these sort of rhetorical games lol

 

[OldSchool101]

B. I'd say there's a difference between "afraid of" and "respecting". Except for the true few bottom-feeders, every team is capable of beating anyone. The pregame chatter is useful in identifying how the opponent might plausibly do that. Pointing those potential scenarios out does not mean you think they're more likely to happen than the Pack winning a game they should - it's just managing expectations.

See now I totally agree. You even admittedly suggested in part B that we set ourselves up by setting expectations, which I’ve said all along and it’s being ultra truthful. Some fans more than others almost set the expectations so low that there’s minimal chance of disappointment. I 100% believe this and I’ve witnessed it and I suppose we all do this without knowing it in varying degrees.

Also I think there is a fine line. Us expecting to go out and Win by itself isn’t considered arrogance IF we prepare, plan, execute and finish as if we COULD lose. SO it’s all about the intention. We wouldn’t be mildly concerned with those aspects if a particular opponent was a “cakewalk”. So I’d argue when we suggest we need to “run the ball more at them” because there’s a weakness (see James Cook III) it infers it’s an avenue to overcome them. So it’s actually inferring it’s an avenue to gain an upper hand over a very capable opponent.

Similarly. If we go out and commit 11 infractions for -105 yards and Turn the ball over -4 times? Thats s problem where we likely lose the game period. That or at minimum it’s a nail biter on a good day. This applies to Carolina also. We’ve got to perform and quit letting inferior teams hang around Tortoise and Hare style

 

[formerlybis]

listing the reasons why a team who is objectively mediocre (at best - 24th off EPA, 23rd def EPA)

Right, but there are also things beneath the season-long averages, such as how did they do in games with and without Bryce Young (and I'm not gonna dig - pretty safe to say they're better with him, but not to the point where their averages jump to anywhere near elite status). Still, you'd rather be facing Dalton.

Anyone can play these sort of rhetorical games lol

Yes, very true. Everybody comes into these games with their own perspective and no one's is really superior due to optimistic/pessimistic/realistic outlooks. We debate for our own viewpoints, though

 

[milani]

Last year the Packers dominated the average and bad teams, but struggled against the top teams (Philly, Detroit, Minnesota).

This year the Packers are dominating the top teams, but struggling against the average and bad teams.

I predict another struggle.

Some weeks they are just late with their picks.

 

[milani]

Again, haven't seen a lot of this year's version of Carolina. With Bryce Young, I don't think they're near the pushover on offense that the vibe here is suggesting - the 7 sacks given up to Buffalo were with Andy Dalton back there.

Defensively, it looks like they're right at the top third for yards, but scoring-wise may have been disadvantaged by their offense giving up turnovers and short fields for them to defend. Given the Pack's maddening lack of takeaways so far, I don't know about putting up 30 unless that trend can be broken.

I do expect a win, but I'm wary about it going sideways - had the same feeling going into the Az game, but at least this one's in Lambeau

This is a game in which we have to step up and give those young players the confidence that they can beat the league's best. The Bills definitely had to make a statement last week against the Panthers going into a game against Mahommes and company. Now we need to do the same in the game preceding the matchup against the SB champs.