Carolina Panthers vs. Green Bay Packers: Complete Week 6 Preview for Green Bay
This one brings back some bad memories.
But the memories aren't of a painful defeat. Instead, it's the loss of a great player was forced into early retirement in a 30-23 Green Bay victory over Carolina in Week 2 of 2011. Nick Collins, coming off three consecutive Pro Bowls, tackled Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart after a 21-yard reception near the end of the third quarter. Collins' neck became compressed, and the former Bethune-Cookman Wildman suffered a herniated disc. He underwent cervical fusion surgery and never played another down in the NFL.
That year, not coincidentally, the Packers set an all-time record for passing yards allowed per game (299.8). Green Bay has been in search of a safety to start opposite Morgan Burnett ever since. Last year, Packers safeties did not record an interception, a startling feat.
But with the addition of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, improved play from Burnett and the switch from corner to safety for Micah Hyde, the outlook at the position has pulled a complete 180.
On Sunday at 1 p.m. ET at Lambeau Field, the Packers (4-2) and Panthers (3-2-1) will see their paths meet again. Carolina comes off a 37-37 stalemate at Cincinnati, the highest-scoring tie game ever.
Cam Newton, who set an NFL record with his second consecutive 400-yard passing game as a rookie in the 2011 meeting, was brilliant in last week's draw, throwing for 284 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 107 yards and another score.
Packers Week 6 Recap
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You might have heard of this one.
In one of the most exciting finishes in recent memory, the Packers overcame a fourth-quarter deficit to topple Joe Philbin's Dolphins, 27-24, at Sun Life Stadium, powered by the right arm of Aaron Rodgers.
Tight end Andrew Quarless caught the game-winning touchdown pass with three seconds left, vaulting Green Bay to 4-2 and its third straight win.
"Aaron Rodgers says Quarless was in his ear most of the day, liked that match-up. Went to him when it mattered most.
— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) October 12, 2014"
If there was any doubt about the "It factor" of Rodgers, there isn't any more.
The win was costly, though, as the Packers lost starting cornerbacks Sam Shields and Tramon Williams in the span of three plays in the second half. Packers coach Mike McCarthy has been coy as to the playing status of each player.
News and Notes
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Superman Cam
Through five games, Cam Newton has his highest passer rating, most passing yards per game, highest touchdown percentage and lowest interception percentage in his four-year career.
"Rivera says Cam playing best he ever has.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) October 16, 2014"
Another Peppers Reunion
In Week 4, Packers outside linebacker Julius Peppers returned to face the Chicago Bears, his employer from 2010 to 2013. Now Peppers will line up against the only other team for which he has played, the team that drafted him No. 2 overall 12 years ago. According to ESPN.com's David Newton, Peppers considered a return to his hometown team—he was born in North Carolina and played at Chapel Hill—but the opportunity to stand up as a rush outside backer in a 3-4 defense was irresistible.
Weapons Down
Newton may be without his No. 1 target on Sunday. Rookie wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, who is tied for ninth in the league with 55 targets, suffered a concussion during the Week 6 tie. Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Benjamin is continuing through the concussion protocol, per Newton.
Touchdown
Imagine this backfield as a seven-year-old: Packers safety Morgan Burnett at quarterback and Newton as the bruising fullback. At College Park, Georgia, in the mid-1990s, you could have witnessed it, according to Ryan Wood of Press-Gazette Media.
Injury Report
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| Player | Position | Injury Status | |
| Sam Barrington (Hamstring) | LB | Probable | |
| Josh Boyd (Knee) | DT | Probable | |
| Jarrett Boykin (Groin) | WR | Questionable | |
| Datone Jones (Ankle) | DE | Out | |
| Jamari Lattimore (Neck) | LB | Questionable | |
| Sam Shields (Knee) | CB | Out | |
| Tramon Williams (Ankle) | CB | Questionable |
Injury statuses courtesy Tyler Dunne of the Journal Sentinel.
Green Bay's cornerback depth is sure to be tested if either Shields or Williams cannot go. Last week, when both went down, Davon House and Casey Hayward manned the outside, and veteran switchblade Jarrett Bush played the slot nickel.
Jamari Lattimore suffered a stinger in last week's win over Miami, Packers.com's Mike Spofford reported. Brad Jones will start in Lattimore's stead if he's unable to go against Carolina.
Datone Jones looks on pace to miss his second consecutive game after a strong start to the season.
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Matchups to Watch
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Greg Olsen vs. Packers linebackers/safeties
Olsen came to Carolina the same time Cam Newton did, and the former University of Miami tight end gets his fair share of opportunities, totaling more than 100 targets each of the past two seasons. Now, with the possibility of Kelvin Benjamin's absence, Newton will be relying on the eight-year pro more than ever. The former first-round pick can still run by every linebacker in the league, and he'll be a handful for the Packers on Sunday.
Eddie Lacy/James Starks vs. Panthers run defense
Green Bay's running backs have topped 100 yards rushing just once this season—in a 42-10 win over Minnesota in Week 5. Meanwhile, the Panthers are 27th in the NFL in stopping the run, allowing 140.2 yards per game. More notable is the 5.5 yards per carry allowed by Carolina, which is worst in the league by nearly half a yard.
Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams vs. Antoine Cason, Melvin White and Charles Godfrey
The latter trio formed Carolina's top three corners in its tie against Cincinnati last week, and to say they disappointed would be an understatement. The Bengals converted 10 of 16 third-down attempts and totaled 18 first downs through the air. If Carolina's secondary plays similar to the way it did versus Cincinnati, it will be a banner day for the Packers wideouts. Nelson is a top-five NFL receiver. Cobb leads all wide receivers in touchdowns (seven), and Adams saw a season-high targets (eight) in last week's win over Miami.
Prediction
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Neither defense is playing all that well at the moment.
Carolina, whose 15.1 points per game allowed in 2013 ranked No. 2 in the league, has allowed 157 points in six 2014 contests (26.2 points per game), good for ninth worst. Green Bay was stout in the first half against Miami but allowed touchdown drives of 79 yards or more on each of the Dolphins' first three second-half possessions before a much-needed stop.
Thus, I predict Sunday's contest to be a high-scoring affair, similar to the 2011 matchup that featured 53 points, 42 first downs and 894 combined yards of total offense.
These two teams are relatively evenly matched, and in cases like these, I tend to go with the better coach and better quarterback—both instances that favor the Packers.
And you just don't bet against Aaron Rodgers when he's hot.
Prediction: Packers 35, Panthers 27.
Odds via Odds Shark: Packers (-7.5)
Follow me on Twitter @PeterSowards.
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