Even through what’s been a terribly rough 2023 campaign, the Carolina Panthers have been bringing the fight this holiday season. But unfortunately, it was not enough on Sunday.
Here’s everything we know from the heartbreaking Christmas Eve loss to the Green Bay Packers:
Final score: Packers 33, Panthers 30
Keys to the game
- Often stout, the league’s third-ranked defense didn’t have many answers for Green Bay’s offense. The Packers notched 369 total yards and four touchdowns while converting on eight of their 14 third-down tries.
- The center of Green Bay’s strong showing was running back Aaron Jones. Jones paced the Packers with a season-high 127 yards on 21 carries.
- Unfortunately, it was the Panthers offense that didn’t get the complementary help from the defense this time around. Quarterback Bryce Young, who amassed a career-best 312 yards with two touchdowns, led Carolina to season-highs in points (30) and yards (394).
It was over when . . .
This game seemed all but over with just 19 seconds remaining, when kicker Anders Carlson booted through a go-ahead 32-yard field goal to give the Packers a 33-30 lead. Young and the Panthers, however, made it extremely interesting.
Young completed two passes of 22 yards to get Carolina to the Green Bay 31-yard line. But without any timeouts in their pocket, the offense could not get to the line of scrimmage in time to spike the ball and stop the clock.
Players of the game
- QB Bryce Young: 23-for-36, 312 yards, two touchdowns
- WR DJ Chark Jr.: six receptions, 98 yards, two touchdowns
- WR Adam Thielen: six receptions, 94 yards
What's next?
The Panthers will travel down south in Week 17 to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars.
