Prediction: How will the Green Bay Packers fare In 2014?
By Kenn Korb
Sep, 18, 2011; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) runs as Green Bay Packers free safety Nick Collins (36) defends in the fourth quarter. The Packers defeated the Panthers 30-23 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-US PRESSWIRE
Week 7: Carolina Panthers @ Green Bay Packers
Carolina is a team looked at as one that could regress this year, and for good reason: Every WR on the roster is new, the offensive line lost its left tackle to retirement, Cam Newton has dealt with injuries since last season ended, and the secondary is yet again set to be built of cast-offs/underachievers/scrubs.
The D-line and linebackers look to be strong again, but this team has all the signs of stepping back before moving forward.
That doesn’t mean they will be an easy win however, especially that defense. Even though the secondary looks lackluster at best, they sufficed just fine with the same exact formula of elite-level front seven that makes an unimpressive secondary manageable.
It will not be a pushover to score on and would love to just tee off on QBs, which could easily happen if the line plows through Green Bay’s O-line and shuts down the run game. Rodgers could have a hell of a time on this day.
By this game Green Bay better have fixed their run-D issues, because when Carolina has the ball they are going to run. A lot. Especially with the WR turnover, they’ll rely on running more than ever; if Kelvin Benjamin and the other WRs can provide help, even better.
The front seven should be almost entirely focused on stopping the run all game, so the secondary will need to pay attention for play-action calls that exploit that.
While it would be a major stretch to expect a defense that struggled so much versus the run last year to shut down one of the best running teams the league has to offer, seeing the Packers manage to impact them enough to force a decent amount of 3rd-and-longs and 3-and-outs isn’t out of the question.
Taking that effort and Rodgers taking advantage of that Carolina secondary for some deep plays throughout the game will keep this game in Green Bay’s favor at the end.
Green Bay 26
Carolina 17