8 takeaways from Packers’ win over Panthers

The Green Bay Packers improved to 11-3 with a 24-16 win over the Carolina Panthers on Saturday night at Lambeau Field.

The Packers raced out to a 21-3 lead but eventually had to hold on for a one-possession win as the red-hot offense went ice cold over the final 2.5 quarters. It might not qualify as a pretty win, but it was a mostly comfortable one, and the victory keeps the Packers in the driver’s seat for the top seed in the NFC.

Here are the rest of the takeaways from the Packers’ win:

Short passing game stalls

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Aaron Rodgers attempted 29 passes, but he finished with only 143 passing yards. Add in the five sacks and 47 lost yards, and the Packers had only 96 net passing yards. Even early on, Rodgers was dependent on bubble screens and quick RPOs to get completions. The offense found nothing deep and just couldn't get the short passing game going. Rodgers attempted just two passes over 20 yards in the air, missing on both. And he hit two just passes thrown over 10 yards, meaning his other 18 completions were all underneath. The Panthers played soft coverage and protected against the deep ball, essentially begging the Packers to use the short passing game. Credit the Panthers linebackers and defensive backs for rallying to the football, playing through blocks and making tackles in space.

Uncharacteristic game for the pass protection

AP Photo/Mike Roemer

The Packers rushed for almost 200 yards, but the pass protection group had an off night. Rodgers was under pressure on 10 of his 37 dropbacks, according to Pro Football Focus, and all five Panthers sacks came without blitzing. Brian Burns and Derrick Brown were productive as individual rushers. Both of Burns' sacks were coverage sacks, but Brown beat left guard Lucas Patrick twice for drive-stalling sacks. PFF only placed credit for two of the sacks on the offensive line, suggesting there was more wrong – especially in terms of timing of the passing game and decision-making of the quarterback – than just the performance of the five blockers up front.

Kevin King struggles

Green Bay Packers cornerback Kevin King (20) makes a diving tackle against Carolina Panthers wide receiver Robby Anderson (11) on Saturday, December 19, 2020, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.

The Packers defense played well overall, but cornerback Kevin King was an obvious weak link. According to PFF, he allowed six catches for 127 yards, accounting for almost half of Teddy Bridgewater's passing yards. He also had two penalties, including a holding call on third down in the red zone, and missed two more tackles. D.J. Moore beat him three times for 97 yards, but Robby Anderson and Ian Thomas also had first-down catches against King's coverage. A contract year in 2020 hasn't gone well for King, who has been hurt at times and unproductive getting his hands on the ball. He's one of the Packers lowest-graded defenders at PFF.

Krys Barnes becomes LB1

Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Krys Barnes (51) against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday, December 19, 2020, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.

Rookie Krys Barnes wore the communication helmet and was on the field for the majority of the defense's snaps before exiting with an eye injury. Over his 31 snaps, Barnes was active and productive as the new No. 1 linebacker. He knocked the ball out of Bridgewater's hands at the goal line, creating a game-changing fumble. And of his six tackles, five came within three yards of the line of scrimmage, including a tackle for loss on a screen pass to Mike Davis. It was an encouraging performance for the rookie linebacker. At times, Barnes and Kamal Martin look like a capable young duo inside.

Run game explodes

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) rushes for 47 yards in the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday, December 19, 2020, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.

The Packers got 145 rushing yards from Aaron Jones, who set up the offense's first touchdown with a 46-yard scamper and later ran a score from eight yards out in the second quarter. The Packers gave him 20 carries but probably should have provided more, especially given the way the Panthers were aligning on defense. The two-deep shells were just asking the Packers to run it. Over 22 designed runs, the Packers averaged 7.7 yards per attempt. The plan was filled with run-pass options, many of which turned into quick but unproductive passes.

Best game from Adrian Amos?

Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Amos has been a steady, consistent player since signing with the Packers in 2019, but Saturday night might have been his best and most impactful game in Green Bay. He broke up a career-high three passes, had a sack ending a scramble near the sideline, made two stops against the run and was in a perfect position to stop a throw into the flat on the Panthers' opening possession. On one series before the half, Amos broke up passes on first and third down, creating a punt. Later, he broke up a pass into the end zone against Robby Anderson, who was initially open.

Panthers take away Adams

Dec 19, 2020; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) is tackled by Carolina Panthers safety Jeremy Chinn (21) after catching a pass in the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Davante Adams' eight-game streak with a touchdown catch ended with a whimper. He caught seven passes but finished with just 42 receiving yards and never really came close to a touchdown. The Panthers doubled him constantly, and even when he shook loose for opportunities in the intermediate areas, he didn't always make the play. He had a drop on one and had another jarred loose. The Packers tried to get him the ball with quick passes off RPOs, but the Panthers were prepared and tackled well.

Confidence grows with another clutch Crosby kick

Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby (2) kicks during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec 6. 2020, between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

No one knows how to kick outdoors at Lambeau Field better than Mason Crosby, but it would have been fair to question his range at home in winter conditions coming into this season. The 37-year-old Crosby has calmed those fears. He connected on a 51-yard kick late in the fourth quarter, extending the Packers' lead to 11 points. The boot probably would have been good from 55 or longer. It was not only a big kick but also a confidence booster. The Packers will be playing important games at Lambeau Field this month and in the playoffs. Crosby proved he still has the leg to perform in big spots in the cold.

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