How can the Carolina Panthers avoid getting squeezed by the big cheese on Sunday?
Here are the key matchups that could help decide Week 16’s clash with the Green Bay Packers:
Panthers RT Taylor Moton vs. Packers OLB Rashan Gary
Something’s gotta give here.
Gary comes into Week 16 with pretty respectable totals in sacks (9.0) and pressures (48). He should be seeing quite a bit of Moton, who has been charged with just one sack this season.
Despite having already allowed a career-high in pressures (38), Moton is once again proving to be reliable anchor on the right side of Carolina’s fluctuating offensive line. For quarterback Bryce Young’s sake, he’ll have to stay solid against one of the league’s better pass rushers.
Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard vs. Packers LBs Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie
The middle of the Packers defense will be without De’Vondre Campbell on Sunday. That doesn’t bode well for a group that has allowed the third-most rushing yards per contest.
So, it’ll up to Walker and Campbell’s understudy in McDuffie to stop Hubbard—who has averaged 23.3 carries and 92.7 rushing yards over the last three weeks.
Panthers LB Frankie Luvu vs. Packers RB Aaron Jones
Green Bay may also look to hitch its offense on their running back.
Jones turned in his most efficient outing of 2023 last week, racking up 41 yards and a touchdown on nine rushing attempts and 86 yards and another score on two receptions. Luvu could have his hands full on the ground and in coverage.
