Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET | NFL Network
Matchup rating: 60.7 | Spread: GB -9 (51.5)
What to watch for: Watch the sideline when the Packers score a touchdown or get a long field goal, and you'll see a component of why coach Matt LaFleur has been so successful: He's right there celebrating with the players. Watch when something goes wrong, and he's right there to question why. LaFleur has found a balance, leading to a 23-6 record since taking over in 2019. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, if the Packers win Saturday, he would be just the sixth head coach to win at least 24 of his first 30 games, joining George Seifert (27), Guy Chamberlin (26), Paul Brown (25), George Halas (24) and Steve Mariucci (24). -- Rob Demovsky
Bold prediction: Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will throw for more than 300 yards and three touchdowns. Perhaps even more bold, he will lead his first comeback win of the season on the last possession after going 0-7 in those scenarios thus far. It'll come down to a deep pass to wide receiver DJ Moore to set up a Joey Slye game-winning field goal. -- David Newton
Stat to know: Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has nine games with at least three touchdown passes and zero interceptions this season, the most in a season in NFL history (Elias Sports Bureau). He is currently on a three-game streak with those numbers.
Playoff/draft picture: The Packers have clinched the NFC North, and FPI gives them a 59% chance of the securing the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage in the NFC. Those chances would improve to 71% with a victory or fall to 23% with a loss, independent of other outcomes. The Panthers can be eliminated from playoffs contention this weekend with a loss or wins by either the Cardinals or Bears. Perhaps of more interest to Carolina fans, they have a 28.7% chance to move up into the top five of the draft from their current No. 7 projected spot.
What to know for fantasy: Since 2018, Green Bay's Aaron Jones ranks fourth among qualified running backs in points per touch (1.08). He's running hard (6.1 yards per carry over his past three games) and is facing the fourth-worst defense in terms of defending running backs since the beginning of last season. See Week 15 rankings.
Betting nugget: Green Bay is 4-0 against the spread in prime-time games this season, and Carolina is 4-12 ATS in prime-time games since 2014 (0-1 ATS this season). Read more.
Newton's pick: Panthers 38, Packers 37
Demovsky's pick: Packers 31, Panthers 17
FPI prediction: GB, 74.8% (by an average of 8.9 points)
Matchup must-reads: Assessing Bridgewater, Panthers' season shaped by late-drive failures ... Why Packers are NFC's favorite and a (surprise) team that could stop them ... WR Moore off COVID-19 list, will play Saturday ... Tonyan becomes productive tight end Packers have sought all along ... How one throw in August helped set Packers' Rodgers on possible MVP path
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December 19, 2020 at 01:04PM
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Packers coach Matt LaFleur could join rare company with win over Panthers - Green Bay Packers Blog- ESPN - ESPN
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