Carolina Panthers may be glad to be playing in the Thursday game of NFL Week 8 as they will want to move on from their shocking 43-13 loss to Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday as quickly as possible.
However, they face an even tougher test when they head to the iconic venue of Lambeau Field in Wisconsin to face Green Bay Packers.
The Packers also lost on Sunday, but in a much closer game and to stronger opposition as they went down 20-17 to a field goal in the final seconds against Detroit Lions.
However, the home team still have a winning record at 4-3, while the Panthers' no-show in Florida has seen them fall to a 3-3 NFL record.
Green Bay Packers v Carolina Panthers Tips Summary
Best Bet - Over 47.5 points @ 100/111
Alternative Bet - Josh Jacobs over 79.5 rushing and receiving yards @ 20/23
Bet Builder - Chuba Hubbard over 68.5 rushing yards, Christian Watson over 73.5 receiving yards, Tetairoa McMillan over 5.5 receptions @ 23/4
Green Bay Packers v Carolina Panthers Prediction
Best Bet: Over 47.5 points @ 100/111
The inconsistent Panthers should not be written off on Thursday night as, while they have suffered two heavy defeats against the Bears (59-37) and the Buccaneers (43-13), they have also been capable of some impressive wins.
They thumped the Falcons 34-3 a week after their humbling in Chicago and took down the Eagles 25-14 the week before their meltdown against Tampa Bay.
It's also worth noting that the Panthers beat the same Lions team who got the better of the Packers last week, so basing bets solely on last week's results may well be a mistake.
The Panthers have been involved in some high-scoring games thanks to their combination of a vulnerable defence and a capable offence, so taking the over on the total points line is preferred to a handicap or money-line wager.
Half of the Panthers' games this year have exceeded the 50-point barrier and, with talented running backs and wide receivers on both teams in this match-up, a high total looks likely.
Alternative Bet: Josh Jacobs over 79.5 rushing and receiving yards @ 20/23
The Packers' running game struggled in the early weeks of the season as they relied on the arm of quarterback Jordan Love and the talent of wide receivers Christian Watson and Matthew Golden.
However, the return to action of running back Josh Jacobs on Sunday has given their offence a welcome lift.
Jacobs didn't have a game-changing performance running the ball against the Lions as he had a modest 36 yards on 11 carries, but he contributed 55 receiving yards and a touchdown when catching five passes out of the backfield.
He is worth backing to have another game with 80 or more all-purpose yards.
The Panthers' defence had no answers for the Tampa Bay running game on Sunday as Bucky Irving had 106 rushing yards and Kenneth Gainwell added 88 more.
Green Bay Packers v Carolina Panthers Bet Builder Tip
Chuba Hubbard over 68.5 rushing yards
Christian Watson over 73.5 receiving yards
Tetairoa McMillan over 5.5 receptions
Pays 23/4
Begin a three-leg bet builder on this NFC match-up by taking Carolina running back Chuba Hubbard to go over 68.5 rushing yards.
One of the most underrated RBs in the league, Hubbard has had 10 times as many rushing yards as any other Panthers player this season with 459 at an average of 76.5 per outing.
He should put in another solid shift against a Packers defence who gave up 116 rushing yards to Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs on Sunday.
With Golden having had an injury worry this week, the safer bet of the Packers' receivers for this week should be top man Watson.
He has been targeted at least eight times in six of his seven games this season and has had two games of 140-plus yards, with an average of 85 per game.
The Panthers' passing game might not be quite so successful in terms of yardage, but QB Bryce Young will be looking to feed star wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan as often as possible, whether they are winning or losing.
T-Mac, who averages 85.2 receiving yards this season, can be expected to have at least six receptions.
He managed only four catches for 40 yards on a day when everything went wrong for his team in Tampa, but had six and 14 receptions in his two previous games against the Eagles and Lions.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
Green Bay Packers are last in the NFC North despite having a winning record at 4-3
Carolina Panthers are top of the NFC South despite having only a 3-3 record
Two of the Panthers' three losses this season have come by 22 or more points
Five of the Packers' seven games this year have gone under the expected points total
Green Bay have covered the handicap in four of their seven games this year
Tactics, Form and Team News
The Packers have injury concerns over wide receiver Golden (shoulder, foot), linebacker Zaire Franklin (shin) and offensive linemen Travis Glover (knee) and Sean Rhyan (ankle).
Running back Jacobs played his first game of the season against the Lions following a suspension.
The Panthers may be without cornerback Akayleb Evans (triceps, knee), guard Damien Lewis (knee) and linebacker Jaelen Phillips (hamstring).
Wide receiver Jalen Coker (shoulder) returned to practice on Tuesday and should be able to play.
Read more NFL betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
