Green Bay Packers Prove Contender Status In Domination Of Carolina Panthers

By Chris Langton @Langtron57 on October 19, 2014

There were plenty of people who thought the Green Bay Packers would have trouble against the Carolina Panthers. Granted, Cam Newton is one of the most mobile quarterbacks in the NFL, and he has an impressive stable of receivers, but he was completely dominated by the Packers’ defense on Sunday, while the Panthers’ defense looked unprepared for the Packers’ usual offensive assault.

The offense looked right on track as they had in the past two weeks, and Aaron Rodgers looked as good as he ever has, completing 19-of-22 and a completion rate of 86 percent. He passed to nine different receivers throughout the day with touchdowns to Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and of course the rookie Davante Adams. The rushing game also looked like it did in 2013, with Eddie Lacy and James Starks both producing well. Between the two of them they rushed for 99 yards on 19 attempts for a 5.2 yards per carry average.

On the other side of the ball, the defense looked phenomenal for the first three quarters, during which they gave up just three points. In the first quarter they held the Panthers to just five yards and forced three-and-outs throughout the game. While the Panthers did get 14 points in the fourth quarter, the Packers had backups in and, well, good for the Panthers, how adorable.

Tight end Greg Olsen looked impressive throughout the game, hauling in eight passes for 105 yards, but he was the only receiver catching any passes worth bragging about before Dom Capers started putting the second string into the game. Julius Peppers, Nick Perry and Clay Matthews combined for the three sacks on the day. Proving his worth to the team, nose tackle Letroy Guion was able to make two crucial stops on third-and-1 and fourth-and-1, stopping an impressive march by the Panthers early in the second half.

Those who were skeptical of the Packers’ defense early in the season are gradually being silenced. The defense held the Panthers — an offense with solid receivers and a fast, tough quarterback — to just three points in the first three quarters. While 38-17 is a decisive score, keep in mind that the Packers had their defensive backups in for 14 of those points. 38-3 is more accurate and that is nothing short of a blowout.

After a rough start, cheese heads are now seeing the team they were promised during the offseason.

Chris Langton is an NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. He also contributes to the MMA page. Follow him on Twitter @Langtron57, “Like” him on Facebook, and add him to your network on Google.