The Panthers have been playing tee-away from the Packers and, at least for the first half, it’s been working.
After the first 30 minutes, Carolina has a 7-3 lead over Green Bay.
Rico Dowdle has once again been the engine for Carolina’s offense, taking 12 carries for 66 yards in the first half. He scored the game’s first touchdown with 2:22 left in the second quarter, powering it in for a 5-yard score to cap a 10-play, 76-yard drive. Dowdle had to come off the field briefly during that long drive after a 29-yard run, but came back in to finish it.
The Panthers previously had a 15-play drive that resulted in no points when Packers safety Xavier McKinney picked off quarterback Bryce Young in the back of the end zone on third-and-6 from the Green Bay 14.
With penalties stalling the drive, the Packers settled for a 49-yard field goal to go up 3-0 with 7:53 in the second quarter.
McManus also hit a 27-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter to give Green Bay more points.
Jordan Love finished the first half 11-of-16 for 136 yards. Josh Jacobs has 49 yards on seven carries.
On the other side, Young is 6-of-10 for 66 yards.
Packers guard Aaron Banks is questionable to return with a stinger and Packers defensive lineman Colby Wooden is questionable to return with a shoulder injury.
Panthers guard Chandler Zavala had to exit late in the first quarter with Jake Curhan coming in to replace him. He’s questionable to return with an elbow injury. Receiver Xavier Legette also had to exit to be evaluated for a concussion.
Green Bay will receive the second-half kickoff.
