Go figure.
The Carolina Panthers, who visit the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field tonight, have won half their six decisions this season and have a points for and against stat of minus seven points. One might assume that the Panthers have played a lot of close games with a point spread ratio of just over one per game average for the season.
One would be wrong.
The Panthers have been on both sides of blowouts. They opened the season, at home against the Chicago Bears, and were scorched for 59 points in a 22-point losing margin. The next Sunday, they were in Atlanta and hammered the Falcons by 31 points, 34-3. Last week, against division rival Tampa Bay, they served up a second blowout loss for their home fans … the Buccaneers got their second win of the season with a 43-13 romp over the Panthers.
So, who are the Panthers?
Anything you want them to be. Tonight, they bring their weakness into the Packers home stadium, an inability to stop opponents rushing games. Thing is that there is a question whether the Packers can take advantage of the Panthers liability against the rush given they have gained the fewest yards in the league on the ground this season. The Packers average only 60 yards per contest running the ball … gaining the fewest yards in the entire league through seven weeks.
But, while the Packers have been unable to run the ball, their quarterback, Jordan Love, has had the ability to connect through the air with the second highest passing yards total in the league while averaging 280 yards per contest.
One of the best passing games and the worst rushing attack has added up to Green Bay winning four of their seven starts. In the talented NFC North Division, that record lands them in last place … they would lead with a 4-3 mark in the Panthers NFC South Division. The Packers have three teams in front of them, the Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears and the division leading and lone undefeated team in the league, the Minnesota Vikings.
If Green Bay was to climb out of the cellar, they have to get their running game in gear and help has arrived. Josh Jacobs, who was suspended for the first six games this season, has returned to the Packers backfield and will likely get a lot of work tonight against the worst rushing defense in football.
If Jacobs regains his recent seasons form, and Love continues to slice opposing defenses through the air, and the Packers defense gets bolstered by the return from the injury list of defensive stud Micah Parsons next month … well you can see why Packers fans are optimistic.
Their optimism would be crushed tonight if a Panthers team that got beat on their home field last week by a suspect Buccaneers squad by 30 points came into Lambeau and pushed the Packers deeper into their division cellar.
Could happen.
After all, the Panthers are capable of winning big and losing big.
What we have to be concerned about tonight is 3½ points; the number Green Bay has to lay in this Week Eight opening game.
Do I want the favorite in this game? No.
Do I want the underdog in this game? No.
What does that leave us with?
No play tonight.