NFL Preview | October 29, 2026
Week 8 opens at Lambeau Field with two teams coming off division losses and a short week to get right. Carolina (3-3) leads the NFC South after a 43-13 loss to Tampa Bay, and Green Bay (4-3) sits last in the NFC North after a 20-17 loss at Detroit. Kickoff is 8:15 PM ET on Prime Video.
The NFL's Worst Run Defense Meets a Reshuffled Packers Line
Carolina Panthers @ Green Bay Packers | 8:15 PM ET | Prime Video
KEY STAT
153.2
Rushing yards per game Carolina allows, the most in the NFL, per Yahoo Sports. Green Bay ranked last in rushing before Josh Jacobs returned last week.
Carolina's season has been defined by Bryce Young, who has 1,712 passing yards and 12 touchdowns, the most by a Panthers quarterback through six games in franchise history other than Cam Newton in 2011. Last Sunday was the other side of that: 14-of-27 for 163 yards, two interceptions and a strip-sack in the 43-13 loss, with five sacks and three turnovers. Young is playing through a knee issue but practiced fully all week and has no game status. The Panthers are without linebacker Jaelan Phillips, guards Damien Lewis and Torricelli Simpkins III, and cornerback Akayleb Evans, and defensive tackle Bobby Brown III is questionable. The defense ranks third in passing yards allowed, but the run defense is the problem.
Green Bay's offensive line is the story on the other side. Center Sean Rhyan (ankle) and right guard Travis Glover (knee) are out, and veteran Aaron Banks (knee, toe) is back to full participation, with several options at center. Receiver Matthew Golden (shoulder, foot), defensive tackles Devonte Wyatt and Anthony Campbell (both ankle) and edge rusher Brenton Cox Jr. (quad) are questionable, and linebacker Zaire Franklin is out. Jordan Love faces a pass defense that has been tough while playing behind a thin line, though Jacobs gives the Packers a real chance to exploit Carolina's run defense. The Packers' defense ranks 12th in EPA per play allowed.
The line has barely moved: Green Bay opened -3.5 at DraftKings and is still there, with the total briefly touching 48.5 before returning to 47.5. Both teams are on a short week after playing Sunday.
Carolina wins if Young protects the ball against a Green Bay pass rush and the Panthers keep the game within reach through the air.
Green Bay wins if Jacobs and the run game take advantage of Carolina's run defense and the reshuffled line gives Love enough time.
Lean Green Bay -3.5 (Toss-up), and lean the under 47.5 (Lean).
THE CARD · CAR @ GB
The line GB -3.5 · CAR +3.5 · total 47.5 · opened GB -3.5 and 47.5, total briefly 48.5 · DraftKings
This season CAR 3-3 ATS, 3-3 O/U · GB 4-3 ATS, 2-5 O/U
Rest & availability CAR 4 days, Phillips, Lewis, Simpkins and Evans out, Brown questionable, Young cleared · GB 4 days, Rhyan, Glover and Franklin out, Golden, Wyatt, Campbell and Cox questionable
Lean GB -3.5 (Toss-up) · Under ↓ 47.5 (Lean)
Driven by the matchup. Carolina has the league's worst run defense and is on a short week after a blowout, but Green Bay is missing its center and right guard and the Panthers' pass defense ranks third, so the side stays close to even. Green Bay's games are 5-2 to the under, both offenses are working through line injuries, and the total is high for a Thursday short week.
What to Watch For Thursday Night.
Watch who snaps the ball for Green Bay, how many carries Jacobs gets against the league's worst run defense, and whether Young can hold onto the ball after last week's turnovers. We'll have the recap Friday, with every card graded and the season record updated.
