A goal-line stand confirmed by replay cemented the Green Bay Packers’ eighth win of the 2019 season.
Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey was stopped short of breaking the plane by a combination of green-and-gold defenders on the game’s final play, preserving the 24-16 scoreline and improving the Packers to 8-2 after 10 games.
Now, Matt LaFleur’s team will go into the bye week with the lead in the NFC North and possession of a top-two seed in the conference.
The Packers got three touchdown runs from running back Aaron Jones and 118 receiving yards from Davante Adams, plus three sacks and two takeaways of Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen.
The Packers held a lead of 24-10 going into the fourth quarter but had to hold on for dear life late. The Panthers produced an 82-yard scoring drive to cut the lead to 24-16 and then got to the doorstep of a potential tying score, but Mike Pettine’s eventually delivered a stop as the clocks at a snowy Lambeau Field hit triple zeroes.
Jones, who now has 14 total touchdowns in the Packers’ first 10 games, found the end zone in the first quarter, second quarter and third quarter. Jones and backup running back Jamaal Williams combined for 156 rushing yards.
The Panthers got an inspired effort from Allen, the backup to injured quarterback Cam Newton, but he threw a critical interception in the end zone and lost a fumble on a botched snap.
The Packers get a chance to stay home and rest for the next week before preparing to go on the road to play the currently unbeaten San Francisco 49ers on the West Coast in Week 12. LaFleur’s team will play four of their final six games on the road, with three straight division games to end the season.
