Carolina Panthers vs Green Bay Packers Picks and Predictions for Thursday, October 29, 2026

The Panthers and Packers meet Thursday at Lambeau Field, with kickoff at 8:15 pm ET on Prime Video. Carolina leads the NFC South at 3-3, although Sunday's 43-13 loss to Tampa Bay was its worst defeat this season. Green Bay sits fourth in the NFC North at 4-3 after losing 20-17 in Detroit. Both teams have enjoyed better results recently than those scores suggest. The Packers are favored by 3.5 points, and the total is 47.5. Check our free NFL picks for more games.

Carolina Panthers Have Some Work to Do

Carolina's afternoon against Tampa Bay went wrong quickly and never improved. The Panthers conceded 43 points and managed only 13, snapping a two-game winning streak. That defeat was particularly disappointing after the previous week's 25-14 win in Philadelphia. Carolina had also beaten Detroit 32-26 and handled Atlanta 34-3 earlier in the season. Those victories are worth remembering before writing off the Panthers. They've won twice away from home, and Thursday gives them another opportunity to show what went wrong Sunday was an exception.

Bryce Young has thrown 12 touchdown passes against four interceptions, with 1,712 yards through six games. His leading receiver, Tetairoa McMillan, has caught 36 passes for 511 yards. Chuba Hubbard offers another way to move the ball, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Carolina's offense ranks fifth in total yardage, gaining 381.3 per game. The problem is protecting Young consistently. He's taken 17 sacks already, and the Panthers have questions along their offensive line heading into Thursday.

Injuries: Taylor Moton is out. Jaelan Phillips, Akayleb Evans, Torricelli Simpkins III and Damien Lewis are questionable.

Green Bay Packers Still Searching for a Running Game

The Packers had three straight victories before losing at Detroit last Sunday. Green Bay beat Tampa Bay 17-14, Chicago 31-7 and Dallas 23-13 during that stretch. The defense deserves much of the credit, especially after holding Chicago and Dallas to a combined 20 points. The latest defeat wasn't especially damaging from that perspective, either. Detroit managed only 20 points. It's the other side of the ball that deserves more attention. Green Bay hasn't scored more than 23 points in four of its past five games.

Jordan Love has carried much of the offensive responsibility, passing for 1,958 yards and 13 touchdowns. Christian Watson is his most dangerous receiving option, with 595 yards and six scores. Running the football has been another matter entirely. The Packers average only 59.9 rushing yards per game, and MarShawn Lloyd leads the team with just 142. Green Bay's defense has been more productive, collecting nine interceptions. Xavier McKinney has three, while Evan Williams leads the team with 61 tackles.

Injuries: Jacob Monk is out. Devonte Wyatt, Aaron Banks, Travis Glover and Anthony Campbell are questionable.

Key To The Game

For Carolina, getting Hubbard involved early could be important. Green Bay has struggled to run the ball, so the Panthers have an opportunity to control possession rather than getting into a passing contest with Love. Young also needs better protection after taking 17 sacks. Green Bay has forced nine interceptions, making careless throws particularly dangerous. At the other end, Watson's ability to stretch the field gives the Packers a way to score without putting together long drives. Carolina cannot afford repeated defensive breakdowns like those against Tampa Bay.

Carolina Panthers vs Green Bay Packers Game Pick

• Carolina Panthers +3.5

Green Bay's recent wins have come largely through defense rather than dominant offensive performances. That's why giving Carolina more than a field goal appeals here. The Panthers looked terrible against Tampa Bay, but their victories over Philadelphia and Detroit showed they can handle difficult opposition. Young has been productive through the air, and Hubbard provides a better rushing option than Green Bay currently has. Love could make enough plays to win at Lambeau, particularly through Watson. Still, the Packers haven't been scoring freely, and I expect Carolina to remain within a field goal.

Carolina Panthers vs Green Bay Packers Over/Under Pick

• Under 47.5

Green Bay's scoring numbers aren't encouraging for anyone expecting a wide-open game. The Packers have averaged 20.6 points this season, and their running attack contributes fewer than 60 yards per outing. Carolina's defense was poor against Tampa Bay, although it held Philadelphia to 14 points the previous week. The short turnaround matters, too, with neither side getting a normal preparation period. Young and Love can both move the football, but moving it isn't always the same as finishing drives. I'm expecting fewer touchdowns than the 47.5 total suggests, making the under my play.