Jordan Love Throws 3 Touchdowns as Packers Beat Panthers 27-19/ NEWSLOOKS/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Jordan Love threw three touchdown passes and Josh Jacobs scored twice as Green Bay defeated Carolina 27-19 Thursday night. The Packers survived three turnovers and a late Panthers rally, with their defense recording six sacks. Christian Watson returned after a hospital evaluation, while Milwaukee’s World Series champions received a celebration at Lambeau Field.
Quick Look
- Final score: Packers 27, Panthers 19.
- Team records: Green Bay improved to 5-3; Carolina fell to 3-4.
- Love’s performance: He completed 30 of 41 passes for 288 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
- Jacobs scores twice: The running back contributed a touchdown catch and a rushing score.
- Defensive pressure: Green Bay sacked Bryce Young six times.
- Watson returns: He finished with eight catches for 113 yards after a chest injury and hospital evaluation.
- Young’s numbers: Carolina’s quarterback went 23 of 41 for 209 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
- Next games: Carolina hosts Denver and Green Bay visits New England on Nov. 8.
Deep Look
Love’s Three Touchdowns Give Packers Enough Cushion
Jordan Love threw three touchdown passes Thursday night as the Green Bay Packers built a commanding lead and held off the Carolina Panthers 27-19 at Lambeau Field.
Josh Jacobs scored twice, and Green Bay’s defense helped overcome three turnovers and an uneven offensive finish.
“Late in the game, it wasn’t good enough,” Love said. “We weren’t able to finish the way we wanted. That’s something we’ve got to improve on, clean up as an offense and be better there.”
Love completed 30 of 41 passes for 288 yards, connecting with Tucker Kraft, Matthew Golden and Jacobs for touchdowns. He also threw an interception.
Jacobs managed only 39 rushing yards on 21 carries against the NFL’s lowest-ranked run defense, but scored on a 1-yard run and a 4-yard reception.
Six Sacks Help Green Bay Stop Carolina’s Rally
The Packers sacked Bryce Young six times and extended their streak to five consecutive opponents held to 20 points or fewer.
“This defense is really special,” safety Javon Bullard said.
Carolina trailed 27-10 in the third quarter but narrowed the deficit to 27-19 when Young found Jalen Coker for a 26-yard touchdown on fourth-and-3 with 5:37 remaining.
Young’s subsequent two-point conversion pass fell incomplete.
The Panthers later regained possession at their own 45 but turned the ball over on downs near midfield with 2:41 left.
Their final opportunity began at their own 20 with 22 seconds remaining and no timeouts. A sack by Dani Dennis-Sutton effectively ended the comeback attempt.
“Love the fight in the group,” Panthers coach Dave Canales said. “Didn’t expect anything less. The guys kept battling all the way through, gave us some opportunities at the end.”
Young finished 23 of 41 for 209 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Chuba Hubbard rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries and added seven receptions for 38 yards.
Watson Returns After Hospital Evaluation
Christian Watson injured his chest while making a 53-yard reception in the second quarter and was taken to a hospital.
He returned after a CT scan showed no internal bleeding, although Watson said he broke a rib on the play.
“I felt like I was watching ‘WWE Smackdown vs. Raw’ or something, seeing the cameras on me when I was coming out of the ambulance,” he said. “That was a little crazy. It was a surreal experience, no doubt.”
Watson finished with eight catches for 113 yards.
Carolina cornerback Will Lee injured his hamstring while diving to make a tackle on the same play and was taken to the locker room on a cart.
The Panthers already had three cornerbacks on injured reserve: Akayleb Evans with triceps and knee injuries, Mike Jackson with a groin injury and Jaycee Horn with a quadriceps injury.
Packers Recover From Sloppy Opening
Green Bay fumbled the opening kickoff, giving Carolina an opportunity that produced a field goal, then went three-and-out on its first offensive possession.
The Packers responded with touchdowns on three of their next four drives.
Love found Kraft over the middle for a 12-yard touchdown on third-and-8, putting Green Bay ahead 6-3. Rookie kicker Trey Smack’s extra-point attempt struck the left upright.
Watson’s long reception later set up Jacobs’ 1-yard touchdown run, giving the Packers a 13-10 lead early in the second quarter.
Golden then recovered from dropping a potential touchdown by catching a 24-yard scoring pass in the left corner of the end zone on third-and-13. That extended the advantage to 20-10.
Fourth-Down Stop Sets Up Another Green Bay Score
Carolina received the second-half kickoff but failed to convert a fourth-and-2 attempt from midfield.
Chris McClellan and Evan Williams stopped Hubbard a yard short, setting up another Packers scoring drive.
Love finished that possession with his touchdown pass to Jacobs, pushing the lead to 27-10.
Green Bay still led 27-13 early in the fourth quarter and had reached Carolina’s 28 when Zakee Wheatley intercepted Love’s pass intended for Golden in the end zone.
The turnover helped launch Carolina’s late push, but Green Bay’s defense prevented a complete reversal.
“I said at the beginning of the year, and I still feel this way: I think the sky is the limit for this defense,” linebacker Isaiah McDuffie said.
Brewers Bring World Series Trophy to Lambeau
Several Milwaukee Brewers received a huge ovation one night after the franchise won its first World Series championship.
Captain Christian Yelich and pitcher Jacob Misiorowski, a National League Cy Young Award favorite, were among the players attending.
During a timeout before the second quarter, pitcher Brandon Woodruff emerged from the tunnel holding the Commissioner’s Trophy overhead.
Several players attempted a Lambeau leap into the stands, with outfielder Sal Frelick making the most successful effort.
They later appeared on the video board wearing cheeseheads bearing the message “2026 WS Champions.”
Packers Honor Former Executive Bob Harlan
Green Bay held a halftime ceremony honoring former president and CEO Bob Harlan.
His name was unveiled on Lambeau Field’s northeast façade alongside that of former general manager Ted Thompson.
Harlan led the organization from 1989 through 2008. He died March 5 at age 89.
Injuries and Upcoming Games
Carolina offensive guard Corey Bullock injured his quadriceps during the second half.
Green Bay tight end Josh Whyle was evaluated for a concussion in the first half.
Both teams return to action Nov. 8. The Panthers host Denver, while the Packers travel to New England.
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