The Green Bay Packers have spent all season getting hyped as the NFC Super Bowl favorites. Yet, as Week 9 approaches, the Carolina Panthers are the lone undefeated team in the conference.
Packers vs. Panthers 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
With a win, the Panthers would assert themselves as the class of the NFC.
The Panthers are coming off a 29-26 victory over the Indianapolis Colts Monday night, in which they survived a 17-point fourth-quarter barrage to force the game into overtime and earn the win. Graham Gano nailed a 52-yard field goal after Andrew Luck threw his third interception of the game.
Cam Newton's passing numbers aren't as flashy as other star quarterbacks, but he possesses a will to win that seemingly few do. He completed 16 of 35 passes for 248 yards and two touchdown passes in Carolina's win Monday, and rushed 10 times for 41 yards as well. Without star wideout Kelvin Benjamin, who was lost for the year after suffering an ACL injury in the preseason, the onus is often on Newton to improvise and create plays himself. And so far, he's done just that.
Over the last few weeks, tight end Greg Olsen has emerged as Newton's No. 1 target. He had eight catches for 105 yards Monday night and leads the team with 33 receptions this season.
However, the one weak point to Newton’s game remains his proclivity to turn the ball over. Newton has thrown six interceptions over his last three games, which is something he must curtail if the Panthers are going to make a championship run.
But so far, Carolina's hard-hitting defense has been able to pick Newton up when he makes a mistake. Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis make up arguably the best linebacker tandem in the league, while cornerback Josh Norman has four interceptions this season. Carolina's D will probably have to be at its best if it's going to keep Aaron Rodgers at bay.
The Packers are coming off their worst offensive performance of the season when Rodgers passed for only 77 yards in their 29-10 loss to the Denver Broncos. Oddly enough, the usually potent Packers' passing attack has slumped this season -- Green Bay is 27th in passing yards per game and 28th in total offense. The Panthers have allowed the seventh-fewest pass yards in the league this year and have recorded 11 sacks over the last three weeks.
But given Rodgers’ track record, the Packers should always be expected to put up their fair share of points. The key for the Panthers will be keeping this game in the 20s, because they don’t possess the offensive manpower to keep up with the Packers if a shootout ensues.
Sunday’s game represents an opportunity for the Panthers, who have won 12 consecutive regular season contests, to truly assert themselves as the class of the NFC. But the Packers will probably not want to give up the title easily, especially coming off a disheartening loss to the Broncos on the road.
Sunday's game could be an NFC Championship preview. If it lives up to the hype, football fans should be in for a treat.
How to Watch
When: 1 p.m. ET
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.
TV: FOX
Commentators: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews
Online: NFL Game Pass
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