Jordan Love’s passer rating cratered from a stellar 134.1 against the Steelers to a dismal 80.1 facing the Carolina Panthers defense last year. He tossed one interception and zero touchdowns in that stunning Lambeau Field loss. Now, that same Ejiro Evero squad is coming to town again on Thursday night, and the Packers offense needs to remember that bitter taste.
The Explosive Trap is Set Again
This isn’t just any defense. The Panthers defense, led by Evero, might be ranked 20th in the NFL in expected points added per play overall, but they’re absolutely lethal at one thing: shutting down explosive pass plays. They rank third in the league, letting only 2.8% of passes turn into 20-plus yard plays. That’s their M.O., keeping everything in front, making you earn every single yard. Last year, Love couldn’t help but get “bored,” trying to force those downfield throws that just weren’t there, and that’s exactly where the mistakes came from. It’s a brutal reality because this year, the Packers offense survives on those big throws, ranking second in the league with 7% explosive pass plays. Talk about a bad matchup for how this team needs to operate.
Can They Grind It Out?
So, if the big plays aren’t there, what’s the plan? We haven’t had a run game to speak of through the first seven games, which is a massive red flag. Combine that with an offensive line that’s been uneven, plus drops and other head-scratching execution errors, and this isn’t a team built right now to consistently march down the field by “taking what the defense gives them.” But guess what? That’s exactly the formula they’ll need to embrace on Thursday night. It’s a terrifying thought, but getting the run game going might be the only way. Carolina ranks 26th in explosive run rate, so there’s an opening for Josh Jacobs to rip off some chunk plays, just like he did last year when he averaged 5.1 yards per carry against them. And don’t forget Tucker Kraft, who tore his ACL in this very fixture last season. He has yet to produce an explosive performance like he did in 2025, but his ability to pick up yards after the catch could be a game-changer if the plan was to channel the offense through him against this type of soft defense. Thursday would be the perfect time for him to explode.
Head Coach Matt LaFleur knows Ejiro Evero well, having worked with him before and even interviewed him for the Packers’ defensive coordinator job. LaFleur knows what’s coming, telling us, “I think it’s a very tough defense to go against because they’re going to try to keep a lid on you and they’re going to make you earn it, so you’ve gotta be consistent with, not just one person, all eleven have gotta be consistent throughout. You’ve gotta stay patient.” Thursday isn’t just another game, it’s a gut check for Jordan Love and this entire Packers offense. Can they finally prove they can grind out drives, take what’s given, and outwit a familiar foe, or are we set for another frustrating 13-point collapse? If they fail this test, it could be decisive in another loss.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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