NFL Week 8 gets underway with Thursday Night Football at Lambeau Field as Carolina Panthers travel north to face Green Bay Packers.
Both teams remain firmly in the playoff picture, but at opposite ends of their contrasting divisions.
The Panthers sit at 3-3 and still lead the NFC South, despite being thrashed 43-13 at home by Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7.
Bryce Young endured another difficult afternoon behind an offensive line that continues to struggle in pass protection. The former No. 1 overall pick was sacked five times and pressured on more than half of his dropbacks.
Those issues may only worsen this week following the season-ending injury to veteran right tackle Taylor Moton, forcing rookie Monroe Freeling into a difficult assignment on a short week.
The 4-3 Packers, meanwhile, slipped to a narrow 20-17 defeat against the Detroit Lions after rookie kicker Trey Smack missed two field goals from within 37 yards.
Victories over the Bucs, Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys have enabled them to maintain a winning record even though they are now at the foot of the NFC North.
The biggest question for the Packers is whether their ground game can finally spring to life.
Green Bay remains the only team in the NFL yet to rush for 100 yards in a game this season, although a favourable matchup against Carolina's porous run defense could provide the breakthrough.
Panthers vs. Packers betting picks & predictions
Packers -3.5 (-112)
Although both teams are coming off losses, Green Bay appears to be in a much stronger position heading into Thursday night's contest.
Carolina's blowout loss to Tampa Bay exposed several weaknesses, particularly along an offensive line that has struggled to protect Young throughout the season.
That is concerning against a Packers defence that has generated pressure without needing to blitz and turned those disruptions into takeaways.
Seven of Green Bay's nine interceptions have come when rushing four or fewer defenders.
Young has been pressured more frequently against standard pass rushes than blitz packages this season, which plays directly into Green Bay's strengths.
The Panthers also surrender 27.7 points per game, ranking among the league's weakest scoring defenses, and that should allow Jordan Love and the Packers offence to move the ball consistently, even with injuries affecting the receiving corps.
Green Bay's Week 7 loss came on the road against one of the NFC's strongest teams, while Carolina was thoroughly outplayed by a Tampa Bay side that entered the game with just one victory.
With the Packers back at Lambeau Field and facing a vulnerable opponent on a short week, laying the points is the preferred position.
Josh Jacobs 60+ rushing yards (-110)
Everything points toward this being the game where Green Bay finally establishes some consistency on the ground.
Josh Jacobs made his season debut against Detroit last week after missing the opening six games and immediately contributed 91 yards from scrimmage along with a touchdown.
Admittedly, the majority of his gains and the score were from receiving Love’s passes, but he now gets an ideal matchup against the NFL's worst run defense.
Carolina is allowing a league-high 5.2 yards per carry and was shredded for 258 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns by Tampa Bay last week.
If Green Bay commits to a balanced offensive approach, Jacobs should see enough volume to clear this number comfortably.
Christian Watson 80+ receiving yards (+105)
Christian Watson has been targeted 56 times for 34 receptions through Green Bay’s first seven games and he has amassed 595 yards and six touchdowns.
The Packers receiver has stayed under 80 receiving yards in two straight after exploding for 143 yards against the Bears, but he will now face a Panthers secondary decimated by injuries at cornerback.
Carolina struggle to create pressure on opposing quarterbacks and if you give Love time to find a man, downfield, he will always look for Watson first.
He may also benefit from fellow wideout Matthew Golden's absence. He missed practice on Tuesday so some extra targets could be coming Watson's way.
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Panthers vs. Packers odds
Carolina Panthers | +164 |
Green Bay Packers | -198 |
Spread | GB Packers -3.5 |
Total | O/U 47.5 |
Panthers vs. Packers player props
Anytime touchdown
Josh Jacobs (GB Packers) | -140 |
Chuba Hubbard (CAR Panthers) | -125 |
Christian Watson (GB Packers) | +125 |
Tucker Kraft (GB Packers) | +160 |
Tetairoa McMillan (CAR Panthers) | +160 |
Jalen Coker (CAR Panthers) | +185 |
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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.
