The Green Bay Packers and the Carolina Panthers meet Sunday in NFL action from Bank of America Stadium. Green Bay enters this one at 6-8 overall this year. The Packers lost to Tampa Bay in their last matchup. As for Carolina, they won their second game in 14 tries versus Atlanta back on Sunday. Let’s get into our Packers vs. Panthers prediction. Check back all season long for free NFL picks at Sports Chat Place.

Green Bay Packers 

The Packers got off to a rough start this year at 3-6 through nine games. The only wins in that time were over the Bears, Saints and Rams. Since then it’s been a 3-2 run with losses to the Giants and Buccaneers. Green Bay is averaging 21.4 points per game while giving up 21.5 points per game on defense. 

In their latest loss to Tampa Bay, the Packers gave up 10 points in the second half and 14 more in the third during a 34-20 outcome. QB Jordan Love finished with 284 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Aaron Jones led the rush with 53 yards. Tops in receiving for Green Bay was Dontayvion Wicks with 97 yards on six grabs. 

Green Bay Packers Team Facts

• The underdogs have won each of the Packers’ last five games.
• The Packers have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine road games against teams that held a losing record.
• The favorites have won the first half in eight of the Packers’ last nine Week 16 games.
• The Packers have lost the first quarter in four of their last six Sunday games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Packers have scored the first touchdown in each of their last five games.

Carolina Panthers 

Over on the Panthers’ side, they opened the season with six straight losses before a win over the Texans. Carolina would drop six more games in a row before beating the Falcons on Sunday. The Panthers are averaging just 14.7 points per game so far, with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions alongside 164.9 yards per game via the pass. 

In their matchup with the Falcons, the Panthers kicked three field goals to power out an intense 9-7 victory. Bryce Young threw for 167 yards on 18-of-24 through the air, while Chubba Hubbard added 22 carries for 87 yards. Adam Thielen caught four balls for 43 yards to top the receiving game. 

Carolina Panthers Team Facts

• The Panthers have lost each of their last eight games as underdogs following a Division win.
• The Panthers have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games at Bank of America Stadium following a win.
• The Panthers have lost the first half in each of their last nine Sunday games.
• The Panthers have won the first quarter in three of their last four games as home underdogs against NFC North opponents.
• The Panthers have scored the first touchdown in seven of their last eight home games against NFC North opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Panthers rank 32nd in the NFL in sacks this season (20.0).
• The Panthers rank 32nd in the NFL in forced fumbles this season (3).
• The Packers rank 1st in the NFL in kickoff return yards per game this season (48.3).
• The Packers rank 32nd in the NFL in Q2 points per game this season (3.9).

ANDREW’S FREE PACKERS VS PANTHERS PREDICTION 

I’ll probably just stay with Green Bay. There’s not a lot to get excited about in this one, though. The Packers posted a pretty rough effort on both sides in their latest loss, bagging a tepid 321 total yards (261 passing) and 18 first downs. That makes 22 or fewer points in all but one loss for Green Bay this year (and 24 in the other) so getting the scoreboard going early will be an encouraging sign. 

As for Carolina, they get credit for a nice defensive effort versus the Falcons. The Panthers gave up just 12 first downs and 204 total yards (152 passing) in their second win of the year. Carolina hasn’t scored more than 18 points in any of their last eight games though, so I don’t think they’ll have the gas to keep up in this one if Green Bay scores a few times.