Monday, 9 November, 5:00 AM, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Match odds
Green Bay: $1.70 @ CrownBet.com.au
Carolina: $2.20 @ Sportsbet.com.au
Season record
Green Bay: 6-1
Carolina: 7-0
Last time they met:
Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers dismantled the Panthers at home, throwing three touchdowns in a 38-17 rout.
THE two teams with the best records in the National Football Conference face off in week 9, with the Carolina Panthers travelling to face the Green Bay Packers.
The Carolina Panthers are one of only four teams left in the league with an unblemished record and are the only franchise in the NFC without a loss to their name.
Former number one draft pick and Carolina quarterback Cam Newton has been sensational this season and is an early MVP candidate after singlehandedly steering his team to its 6-0 record.
It has been a coming of age season for Newton, who has been accused in the past of sulking and pouting when things have not gone his way.
“All I want to do is keep winning. Nothing’s changed,” Newton said.
“I play this game for one reason and that’s to find ways to get another win in the win column. That’s what the fans come to the games to see.”
Newton has been the catalyst for his team this season, and stands as one of the clear cut MVP candidates in the first third of the season.
Green Bay Packers’ coach Mike McCarthy believes there is not a person at the position in the league that can match the Panther number one.
“I can tell you clearly we’re studying Cam Newton and preparing all the different things he does,” McCarthy said.
“From a diversity standpoint, I don’t know if there’s a quarterback that does more than he does from the quarterback position.”
Despite their terrific record, the Panthers were lucky to escape with their unbeaten record intact after a fourth quarter meltdown which saw them give up a 23-6 lead with just over 10 minutes left in the match.
The Colts took the game to overtime but were unable to topple the Panthers.
The Green Bay Packers had started the season in sensational fashion, but came crashing down to earth against the Denver Broncos last week.
Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers personified the difficulties the Packers experienced against Denver; playing one of the worst games of his career – throwing less than 80 yards with no touchdowns.
The Packers have conceded that it is unfair for the team to rely on Rodgers to generate offense.
“[Rodgers has] been pretty much carrying the load, but we have two other young guys that have been given a little more opportunities,” Packers offensive coordinator Edgar Bennett said.
“That’s something that we’ll address. As the weeks go on, those guys will have more opportunities and they have to make the most of them.”
The Broncos rattled Rodgers for the first time in recent memory, and with a Carolina defence that is amongst the best in the league, last year’s MVP will need to lift his game if the Packers are to get back on the winners list.
Who will win and why
Odds provided by Sportsbet.com.au
Winner: Green Bay Packers – $1.75
Total points Over/Under: Over 46.5 – $1.92
Tri-bet: Green Bay Packers -7.5 – $3.42
With their shock loss against the Broncos fresh in the mind the Packers will be keen to atone and turn their fortunes around.
The Panthers, while remaining as one of the only four teams who have yet to register a loss this season were lucky to escape last week after giving up a huge fourth quarter lead to the Colts.
It is two of the best offenses in the league facing off against each other, and even though the conditions at Lambeau Field could be arduous it should be a scoring feast.
The Green Bay Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the man that should be the difference in the contest.
Aaron Rogers had one of the worst games of his career against Denver with only 77 yards to his name – he will not let this happen again.
Rodgers should be able to pile on the pressure and help the Packers relaunch their season while condemning the Panthers to their first loss of the season.
Expect the Packers to get the win and put their season back on track.
