Panthers vs. Packers: What Are Experts Saying About Green Bay?

The 4-2 Green Bay Packers, who have won three straight games, will face the 3-2-1 Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field on Sunday. The Panthers are also in first place in the NFC South, while the Packers have the same record as the Detroit Lions, who lead the NFC North.

Most experts give the Packers the edge in this game, but the contest might come down to how well the defense of the Packers can control quarterback Cam Newton and the read-option play.

Likewise, the outcome of the game may also depend on how the defense of the Panthers, most notably their secondary, can slow down the passing attack of the Packers, led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Let's take a look at how some of the experts see this game.

Jason La Canfora, CBS Sports NFL Insider: Can the Packers Stop Cam Newton?

USA TODAY Sports

In his take on the game, Jason La Canfora mentions how the play of the quarterbacks will mostly likely be a key factor in the game. While the 20th-ranked passing defense of the Panthers will have issues stopping Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay passing game, the Packers will have to try and control the very dangerous Cam Newton both through the air and on the ground.

"

Newton was gashing the Bengals defense, usually very good, on the ground and they couldn't make it stop, even in overtime. Few teams have been worse against read-option stuff than the Packers the past few years, it was only a few weeks ago that the likes of Geno Smith was beating them on the ground and then through the air, and Newton looks as comfortable as we've seen. Newton ran 17 times for 107 yards Sunday -- his ribs didn't appear to be the issue they were last month -- and that's a recipe they could well follow this week. Panthers must find a way to get more out of what remains of their running backs, but then again can Green Bay stop anyone? Packers allowing an NFL-worst 154.5 yards per game on the ground.

"

La Canfora brings up a good point. The Packers struggle trying to stop the read-option. Up until last week, however, Newton had only rushed for 42 yards in four games before rushing for 107 yards in Week 6.

Linebacker Clay Matthews has to be aware of the play, as he misread the read-option last week against the Dolphins. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill had a big 40-yard run because of that miscue.

Matthews is an aggressive player, whether it's rushing the passer or crashing down on opposing running backs, but he and his teammates will have to temper that aggression, especially against a dynamic player like Newton.

The Packers have struggled to stop the run in 2014, but that has improved recently. Meanwhile, the Panthers are only ranked 28th in rushing offense, which is partly due to all the injuries the team has had at running back.

But now with Newton running the ball again effectively, that situation may improve for the Panthers. Besides reading the read-option correctly, the Packers also need to deliver hard but clean hits on Newton when he does decide to run, knowing that he is coming off a recent rib injury.

Brian Dawkins and Mark Schlereth, ESPN NFL Live: They Love the Pack and No. 12

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

On ESPN NFL Live, both Brian Dawkins and Mark Schlereth see the Packers beating the Panthers.

Dawkins:

"

I love Green Bay in this one. And it's because of one guy, Aaron Rodgers and what he does. The comfort level that he continues to play at, even without the running game right now, he's still playing at a high level. And being able to spread the football around because of what he does and being patient back there. I don't see them losing.

"

Schlereth:

"

He's the difference-maker. I agree with you. I love the Green Bay Packers and I love Aaron Rodgers. And he's a guy when things are off-schedule like they tend to be occasionally, he'll scramble around and he'll make a play down the football field. Not so much running, he's just going to make one with his arm and he's tremendous at that.

"

I can't disagree at all with the takes of Dawkins and Schlereth. Rodgers is second only to Philip Rivers in passer rating in the NFL, with a mark of 111.4. Rodgers has thrown 15 touchdown passes compared to just one pick for 1,419 yards so far in 2014.

Rodgers is definitely enjoying another MVP-caliber year and is heading for the sixth consecutive year of having a passer rating of over 100.

Speaking of passer rating, No. 12 is the all-time leader in that category in NFL history with a mark of 105.3.

Michael David Smith and Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk: High-Scoring Affair

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

On Pro Football Talk, both analysts see the Packers winning and scoring 34 points.

Michael David Smith:

"

Cam Newton looks like he’s getting healthier and playing better, so the Panthers should be able to put plenty of points on the board in Green Bay. Unfortunately for the Panthers, their defense is struggling and Aaron Rodgers is at the top of his game, which means Green Bay wins a high-scoring contest.

"

Score: Packers 34, Panthers 27.

Mike Florio:

"

The Packers have found the gas pedal since losing in ugly fashion to the Lions.  The Panthers, as up-and-down as any team this season, keep finding the pedal then losing it.  But after giving up 37 points to the Bengals in Cincinnati, the Carolina defense could get shredded in the land o’ cheddar.

"

Score: Packers 34, Panthers 23.

I agree with Smith and Florio that this will most likely be a high-scoring game. You wouldn't know it by the offensive rankings, as the Packers are ranked just 27th in total offense, while the Panthers are ranked 18th.

That being said, the offenses are led by two of the more dynamic players in the NFL, with Aaron Rodgers leading the Packers and Cam Newton leading the Panthers.

I expect that both Rodgers and Newton will have some success on Sunday, as the Packers are ranked 19th in total defense, while the Panthers are ranked 26th.

I also agree with both analysts that the Packers will be victorious on Sunday, but I lean more toward Florio's predicted score.

David Steele, Sporting News: The Panthers Upset the Pack

Mike McCarn/Associated Press

David Steele of the Sporting News smells an upset Sunday at Lambeau Field:

"

When Aaron Rodgers pulls off wins like the one in Miami last week, he and his team seem so invincible. He’s covering up some issues (the NFL’s worst rushing defense, a pretty poor rushing offense) that will keep plaguing them. Of course, Cam Newton is the Panthers’ running game, but they pulled off 37 points last week anyway.

"

Score: Panthers 27, Packers 17.

I disagree with Steele's assessment. For one thing, the Packers will have some success on the ground against Carolina's 27th-ranked rushing defense.

The rushing defense of the Packers has improved the past two games. The big key to the game defensively is for the Packers to control Cam Newton and the read-option play. Overall, the Panthers are only ranked 28th in rushing offense.

I see Rodgers making more big plays than Newton on Sunday, and that is why the Packers will win.