In a dynamic NFL game, the Green Bay Packers took a commanding lead over the Carolina Panthers, with the Packers scoring on every possession except for the last one of the first half, which ended in an unsuccessful Hail Mary attempt, leading 23-10 at the break. The Packers' offense was particularly effective on the ground, averaging 9.5 yards per play and amassing 92 rushing yards in the first quarter, the most since 2018. Aaron Jones contributed significantly with over 100 yards from scrimmage, marking the team's first 100-yard rusher or receiver in a game for the season. The Panthers faced setbacks, including a shin injury to linebacker Amare Barno, who was carted off the field. Despite these challenges, the Panthers managed to score their first offensive touchdown since December 3rd, with Ihmir Smith-Marsette executing a 20-yard reverse. However, the Packers maintained their lead, with Jordan Love sneaking in a 1-yard touchdown and Romeo Doubs catching a touchdown pass. The Packers missed an extra point but extended their lead to 16-10 after a 53-yard field goal. The Packers led 30-16, showcasing a strong offensive performance.
Jordan Love missed on that throw to Jayden Reed last week, but hits it for a TD to Romeo Doubs this time. Packers 30, Panthers 16 First time since Week 1 that the Packers have scored 30.
It took until Week 16, but the Packers finally have their first 100-yard rusher or receiver in a game. Aaron Jones up to 104 on the ground.
Really good drive for Bryce Young on ground and passing. Chuba Hubbard capitalizes with a rushing TD. Pineiro misses the XP. Packers lead 23-16, with 5:11 left in the third quarter.
Aaron Jones is over 100 yards from scrimmage (94 rushing, 8 receiving). GB had only 1 indivdual 100-yard scrimmage game all year -- Jones in Week 1 against the Bears. The Packers were the only team entering Week 16 without multiple 100-yard games this season, per @ESPNStatsInfo
The #Packers scored on every possession besides their last, which ended in a Hail Mary pass falling incomplete. Green Bay's defense got "gashed" a week ago, but GB's doing the gashing today. 23-10, Packers up at half.
End of half Hail Mary batted down, but about all that didn't work. Packers lead 23-10 at half. Gained 251 yards, 5-of-7 third downs, 117 rushing yards. Jordan Love is dealing, 12-19, 131, 1-0, 101.6 Panthers defense allowed 204 and 207 the last two games. So this is different.
Wicks' TD catch gave the Packers points on their first four possessions (TD, TD, FG, TD). That's the first time since Week 3 of 2016 that they've had points on the first four offensive possesions of a game. They did it on their first 5 vs. the Lions in that game (4TDs, FG).
Jordan Love *finally* looked at a wide open Dontayvion Wicks after missing him three times on the #Packers last series. Touchdown.
Shotgun? Pistol? Under center?! Probably wouldn't have worked on that fourth-and-short for the #Panthers. Chuba Hubbard stuffed behind line of scrimmage. Packers take over at their own 40 and have four minutes to extend the lead to 13 before the half.
Anders Carlson is good from 53 to give the Packers a 16-10 lead. Not sure what Jordan Love's progressions were supposed to be on that third down, but Wicks was wide open over the middle. Throw went to a tightly covered Kraft near the sideline for an incompletion.
Upon press box replay review, Yetur Gross-Matos goes untouched at the line, pressures Jordan Love and avoids hitting Love in the head. Still called roughing the passer on third down. Packers drive extended, and that turns into a 53-yard FG. 16-10, Packers lead.
Ihmir Smith-Marsette takes a jet-sweep 25 yards for a TD. Fantastic downfield blocking from Adam Thielen, and nice play design from offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, who sent Jonathan Mingo in motion pre-snap and completely fooled #Packers defense. 13-10, Packers still lead.
Rashan Gary bit hard on the trickery off the edge and Adam Thielen blocked Keisean Nixon and Anthony Johnson Jr. at the same time to clear the way for that Ihmir Smith-Marsette TD run. Packers 13, Panthers 10
Panthers just scored their first offensive TD since Dec. 3rd, as Smith-Marsette scores on a 20-yard reverse for a TD. With XP, Green Bay now leads 13-10. Nice drive; some big-time throws from Bryce kept it alive.
Thomas Brown getting Ihmir Smith-Marsette more involved in the offense was one of his best moves. Very nice concept -- and nice run by Smith-Marsette -- on the 20-yard TD on the reverse. 13-10 Packers.
Ihmir Smith-Marsette for a 20-yard touchdown on the end around. ISM has shown some flashes late, and knows how to pick up blocks. Packers 13-10. A Christmas Eve shootout. #asexpected
Excellent blocking by Thielen on the trick run for the 20-yard TD for Ihmir Smith-Marsette. #Panthers
Packers miss the extra point after that Jordan Love sneak for a touchdown. Packers 13-3 three seconds into the second quarter.
Jordan Love sneaks it in from 1 yard out. Packers weren't in sneak formation, so it was rather easy. Anders Carlson hooks the PAT wide left, so it stays 13-3.
A missed XP for the Packers, but they are still up 13-3 after dominating the ground in the first quarter.
The 92 rushing yards in the first half is the most by the Packers in a first quarter since 103 against Miami in 2018, per @ESPNStatsInfo https://t.co/37yBVC6RiY
Packers averaging just 9.5 yards per play after the first quarter.
Aaron Jones ran for 38 yards on four carries on the first series. He picked up 39 rushing yards on the first play of the second drive. He already has 80 rushing yards on the day. There are 2 minutes left in the first quarter.
Panthers LB Amare Barno carted off with shin injury. https://t.co/yTqQMpcpHP
#Packers RB AJ Dillon punches it in from 1-yard out, punctuating a 7-play, 80-yard drive. A perfectly scripted opening drive. One of the rare times the #Panthers defense -- who are a Top 3 unit in the league in total yards allowed -- have given up points in the first quarter.
Aaron Jones five touches for 46 yards on the opening drive. Tucker Kraft with another catch and hurdle. AJ Dillon with a 1-yard TD. Packers 7, Carolina 0
Packers just went straight downfield for a touchdown in seven plays. The Panthers haven't given up yards on the ground like that in a minute.
That was an absolute gashing by the Packers on their first drive. Ran 7 plays, five of which were 8-plus yards. Six first downs. They lead 7-0. Ouch.
Amare Barno getting carted off the field.
Amare Barno is being carted off the field after the penalized punt. Haynes, Blackshear, Jansen and Hekker went over to see him off. #Panthers
Right guard rookie Nash Jenson gets beat on second-and-short, which leads to a sack and 7-yard loss, which leads to the punt, but ... A roughing the kicker call (Lukas Van Ness) keeps the Panthers on the field, though. First down.
Three-and-out and punt, but roughing the kicker on the Packers. Panthers gunner Amare Barno down injured after the play.
Packers force a three-and-out on the opening drive, but Lukas Van Ness commits a roughing the kicker penalty on the punt to gift the Panthers a first down.