Jordan Love Throws Three Touchdowns to Lead Packers Past Panthers

Jordan Love connected on three touchdown passes to guide the Green Bay Packers to a 27-19 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night. The win improved Green Bay's record to 5-3, while the Panthers fell to 3-4. Love completed 30 of 41 passes for 288 yards, though he also gave up one interception. Josh Jacobs provided the ground game and scoring, rushing for 39 yards on 21 carries and adding two touchdowns. He scored on a 4-yard reception and a 1-yard run against a defense that ranked last in the league against the run.

The Packers started the game slowly, fumbling the opening kickoff to allow Carolina a field goal. They also went three-and-out on their next series. However, Green Bay found the end zone on three of its next four drives. Love threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Tucker Kraft on third-and-8, putting the Packers ahead 6-3. Rookie kicker Trey Smack missed the extra point, hitting the left upright. Later, Matthew Golden caught a 24-yard pass in the left corner of the end zone to make the score 20-10.

Christian Watson sustained a chest injury on a 53-yard reception in the second quarter and was transported to a hospital. He returned to the game later. Carolina cornerback Will Lee suffered a hamstring injury while diving for a tackle on the same play and was carried to the locker room. The Panthers are already thin at cornerback with Akayleb Evans, Mike Jackson, and Jaycee Horn on injured reserve. Evans has triceps and knee issues, Jackson has a groin injury, and Horn has a quadriceps problem.

Carolina trailed 27-10 entering the final quarter. Bryce Young threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Coker on fourth-and-3 with 5:37 left to cut the deficit to 27-19. Young completed 23 of 31 passes for 209 yards in the game. Chuba Hubbard rushed for 81 yards on 22 attempts and had seven catches for 38 yards. Carolina recovered the ball at its own 45-yard line after an interception but failed to convert on downs at midfield with 2:41 remaining.

The Panthers got one final chance from their own 20-yard line with 22 seconds left and no timeouts. Dani Dennis-Sutton sacked Young on that play, ending the comeback bid. Green Bay's defense also forced a key stop earlier in the second half when Chris McClellan and Evan Williams stopped Hubbard one yard short on fourth-and-2 from midfield. Love then found Jacobs for a touchdown to extend the lead to 27-10.

The game featured a ceremony honoring former Packers president and CEO Bob Harlan, who died on March 5 at age 89. His name was unveiled on the northeast facade of Lambeau Field during halftime alongside former general manager Ted Thompson. Harlan led the team from 1989 to 2008. The Packers also gave a warm welcome to members of the Milwaukee Brewers, who had just won their first World Series title. Team captain Christian Yelich and Cy Young Award favorite Jacob Misiorowski received a large ovation. Pitcher Brandon Woodruff held the Commissioner’s Trophy during a timeout before the second quarter. Outfielder Sal Frelick attempted a Lambeau leap into the crowd.

The Packers next travel to New England on November 8. The Panthers will host Denver on the same day. Green Bay tight end Josh Whyle was evaluated for a concussion in the first half. Carolina offensive guard Corey Bullock hurt his quadriceps in the second half.