Carolina Panthers @ Green Bay Packers
Final Score: Panthers 16, Packers 13
Writer: Pranav Babarjung
A game that was definitely winnable by Green Bay was squandered due to two costly turnovers by Jordan Love and Savion Williams, as well as some questionable decisions by Matt LaFleur late in the game. Add in injuries to Tucker Kraft and Matthew Golden to cap off an all-in-all bad day for the Packers. Rico Dowdle has once again arrived and is here to stay. Even though the passing game was nonexistent for Carolina, Dowdle put the team on his back to get them this win.
Three Up
- Rico Dowdle – Dowdle ran all over the Packers with 141 yards from scrimmage and two rushing touchdowns.
- Romeo Doubs – Doubs continued to be Love’s go-to target, leading Packers pass-catchers with 10 targets.
- Josh Jacobs – Jacobs scored again, on top of four receptions for some PPR production as well.
Three Down
- Chuba Hubbard – We all knew this was coming, but it’s exceedingly obvious that Hubbard lost the RB1 role to Dowdle.
- Bryce Young – Young only had 11 completions, barely eclipsing 100 yards.
- Panthers Pass-catchers – Just a consequence of Young’s low-quantity and low-quality play.
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Bryce Young: 11/20, 102 Yards, INT | 2 Carries, 9 Yards
The stat line really just speaks for itself. Bryce Young didn’t do much and did it badly. He threw the interception in the red zone, which led to the Packers getting on the board first in their subsequent drive. He did at least manage to get a couple of first downs to keep some drives alive. Playing football at Lambeau is tough, but Young shouldn’t even be sniffing your lineups in Superflex leagues with the stat lines he’s put up this season.
Running Back
Rico Dowdle: 25 Carries, 130 Yards, 2 TDs | 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 11 Yards
Chuba Hubbard: 5 Carries, 17 Yards | 1 Target, 0 Receptions
In only his third start of the season, Rico Dowdle showed out. He torched the Packers and likely secured the starting role over Chuba Hubbard for the rest of the season. Dowdle looked absolutely unstoppable out there despite having an injury scare, coming out of the game after a 29-yard rush. He even had a 22-yard rush called back due to penalty. Hubbard did not look nearly as explosive when subbed in, though 3 of his 5 carries did come in the red zone. Going forward, it will be interesting to see which of these two backs gets the bulk of the receiving work when Young actually has to throw the ball. For now, managers should count on Dowdle to be the back to own.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Tetairoa McMillan: 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 46 Yards
Tetairoa McMillan expectedly had a down day due to the lack of passing. He still led the team in targets and yards, including one end zone target that he just wasn’t able to bring in. We’re all waiting for the signature breakout game for Tet, and his talent indicates it should be coming soon, but things are being put on hold by his quarterback’s play.
Xavier Legette: 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 22 Yards
Xavier Legette‘s reception resulted in a trip to the blue tent. He came back in the game and was the target on Young’s interception.
Jalen Coker: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 9 Yards
Brycen Tremayne: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 8 Yards
Ja’Tavion Sanders: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 5 yards
Jimmy Horn Jr.: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 1 Yard | 1 Carry, 7 Yards
Green Bay Packers
Quarterback
Jordan Love: 26/37 273 Yards, INT | 1 Carry, 1 Yard
Jordan Love had an alright game. No passing touchdowns were concerning, but this Panthers secondary is nothing to sneeze at. Love’s interception was seemingly unnecessary; an underthrown deep ball into double coverage on third down. He almost threw a second one in the end zone, directly to Mike Jackson, who couldn’t manage to hold on to the ball. Short yardage passes were more effective, but Love was not afraid of the deep ball. It just wasn’t enough this time.
Running Back
Josh Jacobs: 17 Carries, 87 Yards, TD | 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 13 Yards
Josh Jacobs had another solid fantasy performance with 100 total scrimmage yards and a touchdown. He led the backfield in carries and targets and continued to be the heartbeat of this offense. Nothing flashy, but consistent week-in, week-out production.
Emanuel Wilson: 6 Carries, 16 Yards | 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 1 Yard
Four of Emanuel Wilson‘s six carries came in the red zone, but he didn’t do much with them. Jacobs punched in the touchdown after Wilson was downed at the three-yard line.
Chris Brooks: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 24 Yards
Chris Brooks caught both of his targets for 24 yards and two first downs, including a crucial one on fourth and four.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Romeo Doubs: 10 Targets, 7 Receptions, 91 Yards
Romeo Doubs was the most targeted pass-catcher on the Packers. He was targeted all over the field, including a 30-yard reception to set up a field goal going into the half, and two incompletions in the end zone. With Tucker Kraft and Matthew Golden going down, Doubs was and will continue to be heavily leaned upon.
Christian Watson: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 58 Yards
Christian Watson, in his second game back, hauled in another deep bomb from Love and was the target on Love’s interception. As is standard for Watson, he did not do much else in this contest.
Luke Musgrave: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 34 Yards
All of Luke Musgrave‘s receptions came only after Kraft was out for the game. He went up for an impressive 21-yard catch and run in the fourth quarter touchdown drive. If Kraft misses time, Musgrave could be an enticing pickup.
Tucker Kraft: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 20 Yards
Tucker Kraft unfortunately went down with a knee injury in the third quarter and did not return. He was not targeted as heavily as in the previous game while he was still in.
Savion Williams: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 12 Yards, Fumble (LOST) | 1 Carry 0 Yards
Savion Williams started his day with a red zone fumble on a screen pass. He did successfully complete the same play in the fourth quarter for six yards, but was overall uninteresting.
Malik Heath: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 11 Yards
Malik Heath‘s only look was on a crucial 4th and 3 in Carolina territory, which he successfully converted.
Matthew Golden: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 9 Yards
The first-round pick did not produce much before going down with a shoulder injury in the third quarter.