Chicago (United States) (AFP) – Christian Watson had 113 receiving yards either side of an ambulance trip to a nearby hospital as the Green Bay Packers beat the Carolina Panthers 27-19 at Lambeau Field on Thursday. Quarterback Jordan Love’s superb performance, including 288 passing yards and three touchdowns, meant the Packers’ faltering running game — just 66 yards from 26 carries — did not matter.
Green Bay’s defense was also electric, sacking opposing quarterback Bryce Young six times, while Watson had eight receptions despite missing an hour of the game as he left the stadium for scans on a suspected chest injury. “It was tough, honestly. I mean, I never wanted to go,” said Watson. “They just wanted to make sure there was nothing crazy… I cleared everything and I was able to get back out.” The Packers improved to 5-3 but still remained bottom of the ultra-competitive NFC North. The Panthers remain top of the far weaker NFC South, on 3-4, with Chuba Hubbard’s touchdown and 81 yards the brightest point of an otherwise disappointing night.
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The night in Wisconsin began in high spirits. Baseball’s Milwaukee Brewers received a heroes’ welcome as they paraded their first-ever World Series trophy from the previous night’s historic victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. Their neighboring NFL team started poorly, as the Packers fumbled on the kickoff return, allowing the Panthers an early field goal. But Green Bay was soon on top. Love sent a touchdown pass to tight end Tucker Kraft. The only sour note was under-pressure kicker Trey Smack missing the extra point.
Hubbard struck back with a short rushing touchdown and added insult to injury with a “Lambeau Leap” celebration into the home stands. With the Packers’ running game again misfiring, Love sent a 53-yard pass to Watson. The receiver grabbed it but left the field and was quickly sent to hospital in an ambulance with a suspected chest injury after spitting blood. Green Bay didn’t miss a beat. Running back Josh Jacobs burst into the end zone to seal a nine-play, 90-yard touchdown drive. And the Packers swiftly regained the ball thanks to Ty’Ron Hopper’s superb interception. The linebacker deflected Young’s pass high into the air and was first to catch it on the way down.
The Packers capitalized once more. Matthew Golden dropped a 24-yard Love pass in the end zone but caught another on the very next play. After halftime, Green Bay moved emphatically clear with Jacobs’ second TD, this time from a short Love pass. Jacobs — who missed six games this season following his arrest for an altercation with his girlfriend in which he pleaded no contest to battery — celebrated by appearing to mimic wearing handcuffs, drawing immediate criticism online. Stunningly, Watson then returned to the stadium and onto the field with extra rib padding, nearly catching a pass on his first play back.
Trailing 13-27, the Panthers pulled back a touchdown. Young passed the ball out left to Jalen Coker, who cut back inside and raced past several tackles. But Carolina’s two-point attempt failed, and the Packers defense remained solid for the rest of the game.
© 2024 AFP
