The Carolina Panthers gave us a Christmas Eve thrill on Sunday, nearly completing two improbable fourth-quarter comebacks on the visiting Green Bay Packers. But, it was simply not to be.
Let’s cover the studs and duds from the heartbreaking 33-30 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Stud: QB Bryce Young
The No. 1 overall pick finally lit up the box score like a No. 1 overall pick.
Young completed 23 of his 36 throws for a career-high 312 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. In addition to crossing that 300-yard passing mark for the first time, he also notched bests in yards per attempt (8.7) and passer rating (113.0).
Duds: RBs Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders
After carrying the offense for the past three weeks, Hubbard finds himself in unfamiliar territory here. He did score his fifth touchdown of the season, but only ran for 43 yards on 16 carries against the third-worst rushing defense in football.
Sanders amassed three yards on three totes.
Studs: WRs DJ Chark and Adam Thielen
The main beneficiary of Young’s career outing was Chark, who hit season-highs in receptions (six), receiving yards (98) and touchdowns (two).
Thielen chipped in with six grabs and 94 yards of his own.
We’ll also give a bonus shoutout to tight end Tommy Tremble, who went for a career-high 59 yards on four catches.
Dud: Panthers rush defense
Although the Panthers entered the day allowing the third-fewest total yards per game, they haven’t been reliable against opposing ground attacks—and it showed.
Packers running back Aaron Jones had his way, picking up 127 yards on 21 rushing attempts. As a team, Green Bay tallied 162 yards and two scores over 34 carries.
Stud: LB Frankie Luvu
Uce tried his best to clean up one of the defense’s sloppier showings of the campaign. He led the way with 10 tackles and recorded Carolina’s only sack.
Duds: Referees
Exhibit A:
I was told it was legal 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/jubT9djJjG
— Ihmir Smith-Marsette (@_ihmirr_) December 24, 2023
Exhibit B:
On a critical 3rd down late in a 30-30 game, officials ruled this play a completed pass to Romeo Doubs.
Upon review, the call was upheld as a catch. pic.twitter.com/GV9uLF1aHn
— John Ellis (@1PantherPlace) December 24, 2023
Exhibit C:
And on the final play, Walt Anderson said replay officials determined the clock hit zero as the ball was leaving Bryce Young’s hand as he tried to spike it. pic.twitter.com/VG89lwcHdn
— Joe Person (@josephperson) December 24, 2023
