Packers Hit a New Low After Carolina Collapse

Packers Red Zone Regression

The Packers’ offense had little trouble moving the ball down the field against the Panthers. The issue, outside of the interception, was not capitalizing in the Red Zone and on special teams. On the first offensive drive of the game, after forcing a punt, they drove right down the field, but a costly fumble by Savion Williams was the first blow. 

The Packers ended the game an abysmal 1-5 (20%) in the Red Zone, with the lone touchdown coming on a Josh Jacobs run where he just barely crossed the plane. The execution didn’t match the moment. Each drive ended with either hesitation or a mistake that swung the game’s pulse toward Carolina.

Two weeks ago, the Packers were among the top ten in red-zone efficiency. Now, they’ve gone eight straight drives inside the 20 with only two touchdowns. Field goals are fine when you’re surviving, not when you’re supposed to be ascending.

Defensive Soft Spots

For all the talk about improved tackling, the defense surrendered nearly five yards per carry and created minimal pressure against a depleted offensive line. What’s worse is that it was clear Carolina was going to run the ball, yet the defense seemed unprepared to defend the run each time. 

While they only gave up 16 points, there was really no pressure on Bryce Young, and once again, after the offense scores and needs the defense to get a stop, they fail to do so. Xavier McKinney had a key interception in the end zone late in the game, but it was negated by another penalty, ultimately resulting in the Panthers scoring. 

Where Does This Packers Team Stand?

At 5–2–1, the Packers still lead the NFC North. The young core is promising, the locker room is connected, and there’s still time. But this team’s been flirting with danger for weeks and has been surviving more than thriving.

Each win comes with the same recipe: early lulls, defensive leaks, late rallies. The loss to Carolina just took the comeback out of the script.

The next three of their four games will be against playoff teams from a year ago: Philly, Minnesota, and Detroit. Those are games that this team can get up for, and we know they will put up a fight and have as good a chance as any to win. Then there is that fourth game, against the New York Giants, a team the Packers SHOULD beat. 

This all starts on Monday night, of course, against an Eagles team that knocked Green Bay out of the playoffs a year ago. But if the Packers go out on Monday and look great and beat Philly, but six days later, lay an egg against Jaxon Dart and the one-win Giants? It will only further prove how unserious this team is. 

If the Panthers’ loss was the alarm clock, November will show whether the Packers hit snooze or wake up.