Newton set a franchise record with 432 passing yards against Green Bay on Sept. 18, 2011. Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Carolina Panthers (3-2-1) at Green Bay Packers (4-2)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisc. – TV: FOX
*TV announcers: Sam Rosen, John Lynch, Pam Oliver
*Keys to the game: Panthers QB Cam Newton is coming off his first 100-yard rushing game of the season, surviving the twisting Burfict Storm in the process, and gives life to a Carolina running game that had been non-existent. The Packers have been historically bad against spread systems that incorporate zone-read plays and are piloted by mobile quarterbacks. With injuries thinning the secondary, Newton should also be able to move from the pocket to throw downfield, where Greg Olsen has ILB A.J. Hawk’s number.
QB Aaron Rodgers is rolling of late, and Panthers coach Ron Rivera figures to gamble with blitz pressure to attempt to dictate the tempo. If the Panthers don’t get there, Rodgers is likely to pick apart the Carolina secondary. Jordy Nelson has nine catches or more in four of the first six games and Randall Cobb isn’t easily checked out of the slot. Carolina also has been a pushover against the run, allowing an average of more than 140 yards per game.
*Matchup to watch – Packers OLB Clay Matthews vs. Newton: Production for Matthews is near an all-time low and while he claims to be over a groin injury, the Green Bay sackmaster has been mostly silent. He is critical in coordinator Dom Capers’ design to push Newton to the sideline, where a four-man rotation at outside linebacker will be one-on-one to bring Newton down.
*Player spotlight – Panthers MLB Luke Kuechly: The former top-10 draft pick leads the league with 394 tackles since his rookie season and is the 2014 league leader for tackles through the first six weeks. Packers coach Mike McCarthy is looking to get a lot of carries from the rotation of Eddie Lacy and James Starks, who combined for an average of 23.5 the past two games.
*Fast facts: Newton set a franchise record with 432 passing yards against Green Bay on Sept. 18, 2011. … The Packers are first in the NFL with a plus-nine turnover margin.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Containing Newton just became more difficult for the Packers with the Carolina quarterback looking healthy and Green Bay’s secondary nicked with injuries. Smell a shootout?
*Our pick: Panthers 31-30
