Packers hit a low point vs Panthers

Injuries Mount in 16-13 Loss to Panthers

The Green Bay Packers entered Sunday as two-touchdown home favorites over the Carolina Panthers, yet their 16-13, last-second loss may not be the worst outcome on a grey Green Bay day. Star tight end Tucker Kraft’s season is in jeopardy after a third quarter knee injury.

“I know how much ‘Tuck’ puts into this,” coach Matt LaFleur said. “He’s a big leader, and it’s hard to replace that. Unfortunately we had a lot of guys going in and out of the lineup today. It’s one of those things you’ve got to be able to overcome and we didn’t.”

Kraft limped off the field with help before being carted to the locker room. A small pile rolled up on his planted right knee as he pulled around for a run block. LaFleur didn’t seem optimistic after the game, and only said he didn’t know in regards to any hope for a late-season return. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the “fear” ahead of the MRI test is a torn ACL.

The carnage didn’t stop with Kraft, though his injury appears to be the most serious. Colby Wooden (shoulder), Aaron Banks (stinger), and Matthew Golden (shoulder) each left the game and didn’t return. Josh Jacobs battled through his pains and was shown keeled over on the sideline at one point. Christian Watson missed some time due to the concussion spotter removing him before being cleared to return.

While Kraft’s injury looms largest for the season, Wooden’s loomed largest for the game. The run-stuffing defensive tackle’s presence was sorely missed as the Panthers clawed their way to 163 rushing yards. Rico Dowdle accounted for 130 on 25 carries and two touchdowns.

The Panthers were able to remain balanced and committed to the run because the Packer offense consistently failed to convert in the red zone. Five red zone trips resulted in an abysmal 13 points. Two turnovers – a fumble and downs – caused empty possessions, and the Packers found the end zone just once out of the other three. Add in a missed Brandon McManus 43-yard field goal from just outside the red zone and the Packers created a recipe for disaster.

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Packers suffer worst loss to the Panthers since 1999

Aaron Nagler chats with Packers fans worldwide after the team's 16-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Panthers 16 Packers 13: Game Balls & Lame Calls

We’re going to create a new stat. It'll be called "PDOL". Playing Down to Opponent's Level". The Packers will dominate it every season. Win-win, right?

Those will be the only wins that we'll be seeing today. In front of their home crowd, and donning some (pretty sweet) new uniforms, the Packers proceeded to put up an absolute stinker. There's no other way to put it. The Packers are now 0-2 in games that they were 11+ favorites in, and this game really did seem eerily reminiscent of the loss in Cleveland. The offense was in tatters all game long, and could only watch as the opponent kicked the game winning field goal as time expired.

It seems to be a trend for the Green Bay Packers, this "playing at your opponents level" thing. Playing the Lions, Commanders and Steelers? Great, dominant wins. A middling team like the Cowboys? Tie. The Browns and Panthers? Devastating, horrible losses.

There's plenty to parse through with a loss like this, and performances all around must be examined with a microscope. Don’t miss this week’s edition of Game Balls and Lame Calls.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Panthers vs Packers

Aaron hands out the Good, the Bad and the Ugly from the Green Bay Packers Week 9 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Packers Snap Counts Vs. Carolina: Week 9, 2025

The Packers signed LB Kristian Welch to the 53-man roster to replace LB Nick Niemann, who was placed on injured reserve. The Packers also signed DL Dante Barnett and CB Tyron Herring to the practice squad. Barmett is an international player who played one year of football at Dickerson College, a Division III program. Herring was with the Packers throughout training camp as a UDFA and was waived at final cutdowns. He spent time on New England's practice squad after leaving Green Bay.

The Packers elevated DE Aron Mosby from the PS for the third time this season. Mosby is out of elevations. DE Lucas Van Ness (foot), and WR Dontayvion Wicks (calf) were inactive due to injury. OL Donovan Jennings, OL Jacob Monk, DL Warren Brinson, and Kicker Lucas Havrisik were healthy scratches. QB Malik Willis and CB Kamal Hadden were active but did not play.

Tucker Kraft (knee), Matthew Golden (shoulder), Wooden (shoulder) and Aaron Banks (stinger) left the game and did not return.

Find out who played and how much in this week’s Packers Snap Counts.

The Lass Word: Unprepared

I don’t believe in trap games.  Professional football players are paid too much money, and are too smart, not to understand that every game is important, and every team is good enough to beat you.  I do believe in the failure of players to get themselves prepared to play with the necessary intensity.  The Green Bay Packers lost at home to a 13 point underdog.  The Carolina Panthers are an improving team, but their roster does not contain anywhere near the overall talent that Green Bay has.  Yet the Packers lost this game because of mental weakness.   

The offense was plagued by bad decisions and poor execution.  The defense allowed itself to be pushed around to the tune of 163 yards rushing.  The kicker missed a 49 yard field goal.  This happened because one team was mentally sharp and played to its potential, the other was passive, uninspired, and unable to focus and execute. 

Blame it on the coaches?  I’m not so sure.  Players at this level have to get themselves ready to play.  It’s only going to get harder with a leader like Tucker Kraft being lost for the foreseeable future because of a knee injury.   Thanks to a loss by the Lions, Green Bay remains in first place in the division, but they have now fallen behind the Eagles, Rams, Bucs and Seahawks in the conference.   

The Packers have lost two games to teams they had no business losing to.  This team has the talent.  There is some question as to whether they have the heart…

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