Panthers pick off Aaron Rodgers thrice, win 31-24

The Carolina Panthers handle the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon in Week 15, 31-24. Here are all the highlights, the game recap and final score.

It was too little, too late for the Green Bay Packers. Though they got back their franchise cornerstone in quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay did not have enough in the tank to pull off a road upset in Charlotte. Carolina dominated with defense and timely passing to beat Green Bay soundingly 31-24 in Week 15.

This game was a revelation of sorts. It taught us that Carolina can win big in the NFC playoffs this year and that the Packers don’t belong in them this January. Carolina might be a more balanced team than the club that went to Super Bowl 50. The Panthers got a big day out of their star tight end Greg Olsen. He was key in one of Cam Newton’s best games of the season.

Rodgers was everything for the Packers, but his three interceptions were too much for an overmatched Packers roster to overcome. Green Bay falls to 7-7 and will almost certainly be watching the NFC playoffs at home from the couch. The Packers will be officially eliminated from playoff contention if the Atlanta Falcons beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football.

Carolina will make the playoffs playing in the toughest division in football. The NFC South could very well have three teams make the NFC playoffs. Carolina, the New Orleans Saints and the Falcons could all get in this year. However, the Panthers were swept by the Saints this season in divisional play.

This was not a game where Panthers inside linebacker Luke Kuechly dominated, but that has to be more of a positive thing than anything else. The Panthers defense showed great versatility all afternoon. Whether the Panthers are the No. 1 seed or the No. 6 seed, they can absolutely make it to Minneapolis for Super Bowl LII. It’s time to start taking Carolina very seriously.

While America wanted to see Rodgers carry this also-ran Packers team on his back, it was pretty obvious early in the ball game that it wasn’t going to happen. He battled his tail off, but Green Bay was overmatched in terms of personnel and out schemed. This is a reflection of the Packer front office and coaching staff. Something has to give at some point. There was no reason to lean on Rodgers this heavily.

As for the Panthers, it’s amazing what happens when Newton is playing his A game. Inconsistent normally, Newton showed flashes of why he was the 2015 NFL MVP. Carolina is cooking and looks to be one of the most dangerous teams in the NFC heading into January. Green Bay is just sadly mediocre.

Three Stars

1. Cam Newton: Newton completed 20 of 31 passes for 242 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. As a runner, he had 14 carries for 58 yards.
2. Greg Olsen: Olsen had nine catches for 116 yards and a touchdown.
3. Christian McCaffrey: McCaffrey had 12 carries for 63 yards. As a receiver, he had six catches for 73 yards and a touchdown.

Highlights

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/942464053829517312

Next Game

The Packers will play their division rival in the Minnesota Vikings at home in Week 16. This will be a Saturday night football game. Kickoff from Lambeau Field will be at 8:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 23. NBC will have the national broadcast of this NFC North rivalry game.

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The Panthers will host their division rival in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16. Kickoff from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte will be at 1:00 p.m. ET on Dec. 24. FOX will have the early afternoon telecast of this NFC South rivalry game.