Packers withstand late push to defeat Panthers 27-19

Jordan Love threw three touchdown passes and Josh Jacobs scored twice as the Green Bay Packers defeated the Carolina Panthers 27-19 on Thursday night. The Packers held onto the lead despite committing three turnovers, a struggle that allowed Carolina to cut the deficit to eight points late in the fourth quarter. Love completed 30 of 41 passes for 288 yards and one interception. His touchdowns went to Tucker Kraft, Matthew Golden, and Jacobs.

Jacobs ran for 39 yards on 21 carries against the league's lowest-ranked run defense. He also caught a four-yard pass and scored on a one-yard run. Bryce Young completed 23 of 31 passes for 209 yards for Carolina. He threw one touchdown and one interception. Chuba Hubbard rushed for 81 yards on 22 carries and added a touchdown. He also caught seven passes for 38 yards.

The Panthers trailed 27-10 in the third quarter before mounting a final push. With 5:37 remaining, Young threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Coker on fourth down and three yards. Carolina attempted a two-point conversion on the next play but the pass was incomplete. The Panthers received the ball at their own 45-yard line. They punted on downs at midfield with 2:41 left. On their final possession, Dani Dennis-Sutton sacked Young with 22 seconds remaining and no timeouts left.

Green Bay took control early in the game. Love threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Kraft on third down to make it 6-3. Rookie kicker Trey Smack missed the extra point. Later, Christian Watson returned to the field after suffering a chest injury on a 53-yard catch. His return set up a Jacobs touchdown run that put the Packers ahead 13-10. Golden then caught a 24-yard pass in the corner of the end zone to extend the lead to 20-10.

Love found Jacobs for a touchdown early in the second half to make the score 27-10. The lead shrank after an interception by Zakee Wheatley in the end zone on a pass to Golden. That turnover started the Carolina comeback attempt. Watson left the game after his injury and was taken to the hospital. Carolina cornerback Will Lee also left the game with a hamstring injury after diving for a tackle on the same play.

The Panthers have three other cornerbacks on injured reserve. Akayleb Evans has a triceps and knee injury. Mike Jackson has a groin injury. Jaycee Horn has a quadriceps injury. Offensive guard Corey Bullock hurt his quadriceps in the second half. Packers tight end Josh Whyle was evaluated for a concussion in the first half.

During halftime, the Packers honored former president and CEO Bob Harlan. His name was unveiled on the northeast face of Lambeau Field alongside former general manager Ted Thompson. Harlan served from 1989 to 2008 and died on March 5 at age 89. Members of the Milwaukee Brewers, including captain Christian Yelich and pitcher Jacob Misiorowski, were at the game. They received applause after winning the World Series the previous night. Pitcher Brandon Woodruff held the Commissioner's Trophy during a timeout.

The Packers will travel to New England on November 8. The Panthers will host the Denver Broncos on the same date.