Stellar Packers defense to grapple with dangerous Panthers rushing attack

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Despite three consecutive victories, the Green Bay Packers will be looking for even better consistency to keep them atop the NFC North when they host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

Green Bay (5-1-1) is coming off a 35-25 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning its third straight to remain a half-game ahead of the Detroit Lions in the division.

The Panthers (4-4) had their three-game winning streak snapped in a 40-9 loss to the Buffalo Bills, playing without starting quarterback Bryce Young, who returned to practice Wednesday.

After a shaky couple of weeks, the Packers bounced back after a bye with a 27-18 home victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, then rallied for a 27-23 victory at the Arizona Cardinals. Most recently, Green Bay overcame a 16-7 halftime deficit against Pittsburgh behind Jordan Love's record-setting performance to overshadow former franchise icon Aaron Rodgers.

Love passed for 360 yards and three touchdowns against Pittsburgh, completing 29 of 37 passes, including a franchise record-tying 20 straight completions in one stretch.

Tight end Tucker Kraft had seven receptions for a career-high 143 yards and two touchdowns. Christian Watson, returning from a torn ACL suffered in the final regular-season game in 2024, had four catches for 85 yards.

Backup Emanuel Wilson ran for a team-high 61 yards on 11 carries, but leading rusher Josh Jacobs managed just 33 yards on 13 carries with a long run of 6 yards.

"We've just got to do a better job around him, making sure that he's got premium looks," Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Wednesday. "Some were playcalls, others were just we didn't block the right people."

The Packers defense is first in the NFL in yards per passing play at 5.38 and first in yards after catch with 3.85. Green Bay is third against the run at 78.9 yards per game.

Rashan Gary has a team-high 7.5 sacks and perennial All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons, acquired in a blockbuster trade with Dallas just prior to the regular season, has 6.5 sacks.

Receiver Dontayvion Wicks (calf), defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness (foot) and linebacker Nick Niemann (pectoral) did not practice for Green Bay this week and were ruled out for Sunday.

Linebacker Quay Walker (calf) and kicker Brandon McManus (right quadricep) are questionable to play. Jacobs (calf) and Watson (knee) were limited participants in Friday's practice.

Young, who missed the game against the Bills due to an ankle injury, was cleared to face Green Bay after practicing fully all week. Veteran backup Andy Dalton (right thumb) was limited at Friday's practice and is listed as questionable.

"Handled the week really well," Panthers coach Dave Canales said about Young on Friday. "Each day, just kind of ramped up some of the things we were exposing him to. He looked awesome, working with these guys, just getting in there, reading, communicating, and physically just looked like he's ready to go."

Young has thrown for 184 yards per game with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions.

The Panthers are fifth in the NFL in rushing at 136.9 yards per game. Rico Dowdle has run for a team-high 605 yards at 5.7 yards per carry.

Rookie first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan has been the top receiving target with 37 catches for 512 yards. Xavier Legette is next with 19 receptions for 159 yards.

Center Cade Mays (ankle/knee) and linebacker Princely Umanmielen (ankle) will not play against the Packers.

Along with Dalton, the slew of Panthers questionable for Sunday include offensive linemen Damien Lewis (oblique), Taylor Moton (knee) and Chandler Zavala (knee), linebacker Trevin Wallace (shoulder) and safety Nick Scott (groin).

Green Bay has won three straight versus Carolina. The Packers have allowed 24 or fewer points in 10 consecutive home games, the longest active home streak in the NFL.

--Jim Hoehn, Field Level Media