Packers’ Offense Stalls in Costly Loss to Panthers as Kicking Woes Persist

The Green Bay Packers entered Week 9 riding a wave of confidence after a string of high-scoring wins, but that momentum came to a halt in Charlotte on Sunday. Despite holding the Carolina Panthers to just 16 points, Green Bay’s offense failed to find any rhythm, resulting in a frustrating 16–13 defeat that dropped the team to 5–2–1 on the season.

It was a game that tested the patience of Packers fans. A unit that had averaged nearly 30 points per game over the last three weeks suddenly looked flat, with quarterback Jordan Love unable to generate sustained drives against a disciplined Carolina defense. The offense was further hampered by injuries to two key contributors—receiver Matthew Golden and tight end Tucker Kraft—both of whom exited early and did not return.

The result was a disjointed attack that struggled to convert on third downs and capitalize in the red zone. Love finished with 273 passing yards and no touchdowns, while Green Bay’s only trip to the end zone came late in the fourth quarter when running back Josh Jacobs powered in from short distance to tie the game at 13.

But the comeback effort wasn’t enough. Carolina kicker Ryan Fitzgerald, who had earlier missed an extra point, redeemed himself with a 49-yard field goal in the final seconds to hand the Packers their second loss of the season—and one that felt self-inflicted.

1. Offensive Regression After Hot Stretch

The defeat marked a stark contrast to Green Bay’s recent form. Following a Week 5 bye, the Packers offense had looked revitalized under Jordan Love, scoring 27 or more points in three consecutive victories. That momentum evaporated against Carolina, as execution and timing issues resurfaced. The passing game lacked its usual sharpness, with Love missing open receivers and the offensive line struggling to contain Carolina’s pass rush. The absence of Golden and Kraft left Love with limited options, forcing him to rely heavily on short passes to Jacobs and Jayden Reed. “We couldn’t finish drives,” head coach Matt LaFleur said postgame. “That’s on all of us—coaches, players, execution. We left too many points on the field.” Even when Green Bay managed to move the ball, critical mistakes stalled progress. A holding penalty erased a potential scoring drive early in the third quarter, and a missed 43-yard field goal by Brandon McManus—his second in as many weeks—proved costly in a game decided by three points. For a team that prides itself on efficiency, the regression was glaring. The Packers converted just four of 13 third downs and averaged under five yards per play. Without a balanced offensive rhythm, even a solid defensive showing wasn’t enough to salvage the result.

2. Defense Shines, but Special Teams Falter Again

If there was a silver lining, it was the continued excellence of Green Bay’s defense. The unit held Carolina to under 300 total yards, forced four punts, and limited explosive plays throughout the afternoon. The defensive line generated steady pressure, and cornerback Jaire Alexander played one of his best games of the season, breaking up two key passes late in the fourth quarter. Yet even with those efforts, the Packers’ special teams faltered once again—a recurring issue that continues to haunt the team. Kicker Brandon McManus’ missed field goal in the third quarter shifted momentum back to Carolina, while a poor kickoff return setup late in the fourth pinned Green Bay deep in its own territory, limiting its final drive options. Head coach Matt LaFleur acknowledged that special teams have become a growing concern. “We can’t keep leaving points on the field,” he said. “In close games like this, execution in all three phases has to be sharper.” The Packers’ kicking struggles have been a theme since McManus returned from injury, with missed field goals in back-to-back weeks now looming large in the NFC North race. Despite the loss, the defense’s resilience remains a positive takeaway. However, without more consistent support from the offense and special teams, Green Bay risks letting a promising season slip away.

3. Looking Ahead to a Crucial Stretch

At 5–2–1, the Packers are still in the thick of the NFC playoff picture, but their margin for error is shrinking. The offense, once a model of balance, has become unpredictable, and the special teams’ inconsistencies are turning winnable games into heartbreaks. The team’s upcoming matchup—a Monday Night Football showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles—will be a critical test of their resolve. The Eagles boast one of the league’s most potent offenses, and the Packers will need a cleaner, more complete performance to avoid falling into a midseason slump. Injury updates on Matthew Golden and Tucker Kraft will also play a significant role in shaping the game plan. If both are sidelined, Green Bay may need to lean even more on its defense and running game to control tempo. For now, the Packers find themselves at a crossroads. Their defense remains playoff-caliber, but unless the offense and kicking game rediscover consistency, their strong start could quickly unravel. As one team reporter summed it up on social media, “There’s no excuse for this one.”