Rico Dowdle, opportunistic Panthers upset Packers

Field Level Media|published: Sun 2nd November, 16:22 2025

NFL: Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers

Nov 2, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle (5) runs against Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney (29) during the second half at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Ryan Fitzgerald drilled a 49-yard field goal on the final play of the game to give the Carolina Panthers a 16-13 upset victory over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

Green Bay (5-2-1) tied the game at 13 on Josh Jacobs' 1-yard plunge capping a 12-play, 71-yard touchdown drive with 2:32 remaining.

On the ensuing possession, Rico Dowdle burst up the middle for 19 yards and a first down at the Green Bay 31-yard line with 40 seconds left. Two running plays gained nothing, but ran the clock down to one second.

Dowdle finished with 130 yards on 25 carries and both touchdowns for Carolina (5-4), which won despite being outgained by Green Bay 369-265. Bryce Young, who did not play in last week's loss to Buffalo due to an ankle sprain, completed 11 of 20 passes for 102 yards and one interception.

Jordan Love completed 26 of 37 passes for 273 yards with one interception and no touchdowns for the Packers. Jacobs ran for a team-high 87 yards.

Carolina went in front 13-6 on Dowdle's 1-yard touchdown run with 2:12 left in the third quarter. Tre'von Moehrig set up the score with a 36-yard interception return to the Green Bay 38. The Panthers were assessed a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the scoring play, and Fitzgerald missed the long-range extra point attempt.

Green Bay missed a chance to take the lead on the opening series of the third quarter when Brandon McManus missed wide left on a 43-yard field goal attempt.

The Packers' offense suffered a blow early in the third quarter when tight end Tucker Kraft, who entered with a team-best 30 catches and six touchdowns, was helped off the field with what was announced as a knee injury. Wide receiver Matthew Golden left with a shoulder injury and neither player returned.

Dowdle put the Panthers up 7-3 with a 5-yard touchdown run with 2:22 left in the second quarter to cap a 10-play, 76-yard march. Dowdle kept the drive alive with a 1-yard plunge on fourth-and-1 from the Packers' 6-yard line.

The Packers settled for McManus' 27-yard field goal on the final play of the half to pull within 7-6.

McManus put Green Bay in front 3-0 with a 49-yard field goal midway through the second quarter, set up by Love's 52-yard pass to Christian Watson.

--Jim Hoehn, Field Level Media