Hubbard rushes for 161 yards, 3 TDs as Panthers beat Packers 29-25

Green Bay, WI - Chuba Hubbard carried the heaviest workload of the game and made it count, rushing for 161 yards and three touchdowns as the Carolina Panthers defeated the Green Bay Packers 29-25 in Week 8.

Hubbard handled a game-high 24 carries and averaged better than 6 yards per attempt, with a long run of 17 yards. He also led Carolina with 46 receiving yards on two catches, giving him 207 yards from scrimmage in a performance that defined the Panthers' offensive production.

"I wanted to be dependable every time I got the ball," Hubbard said. "Whether it was a run or a catch, the goal was to get what was there and keep us moving. Getting into the end zone three times is great, but winning is what makes the day feel complete."

Carolina finished with 189 rushing yards, 83 more than Green Bay's 106. The Panthers recorded 298 offensive yards overall, just one more than the Packers, but their 22 first downs represented a sizable advantage over Green Bay's 13.

The sharpest statistical contrast came inside the 20. Carolina scored touchdowns on all four of its red-zone trips. Green Bay reached the red zone six times but did not score a touchdown on those possessions, settling for four field goals. In a game decided by four points, the teams produced dramatically different results from the same area of the field.

The Panthers were also efficient on possession downs, converting 6 of 10 third-down opportunities and both of their fourth-down attempts. Green Bay went 1-for-6 on third down and converted its lone fourth-down try.

Bryce Young completed 13 of 17 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown, posting a 121.2 passer rating despite Green Bay recording six sacks. Young added 28 yards on four rushing attempts, including a 14-yard run. Carolina finished with 109 team passing yards after accounting for the sacks.

Young's touchdown pass went to Jalen Coker, who caught four passes for 34 yards. The Panthers did not have a receiver reach 50 yards, but Young completed more than 76% of his attempts and produced a passing score without Green Bay recording an interception.

"There are things we need to clean up, especially with the negative plays, but we were efficient when the ball came out," Young said. "Chuba gave us a lot, and finishing every red-zone opportunity with a touchdown is the kind of standard we want."

Green Bay countered with the game's leading passer and receiver. Jordan Love went 13-for-18 for 197 yards and a touchdown, earning a 126.3 passer rating. Christian Watson caught four passes for a game-high 106 yards and a touchdown, and his 78-yard reception was the longest catch of the game.

Josh Jacobs supplied 96 rushing yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. His 39-yard run was the game's longest rushing play. Between Love's passing total, Watson's big receiving number and Jacobs' work on the ground, Green Bay nearly matched Carolina's overall yardage. The Packers finished with 191 team passing yards and 297 offensive yards.

"The red-zone number is the one that stands out," Love said. "You want touchdowns when you get those opportunities. We had production in different areas, but six trips without a touchdown is frustrating, especially in a four-point game."

Neither defense recorded an interception. Green Bay's six sacks provided its most prominent defensive statistic, while Carolina finished with one sack, recorded by Lee Hunter.

The contrasting approaches made for an unusual final box score. Green Bay owned the game highs in passing and receiving yards, along with the longest completion and longest run. Carolina, however, had the game's leading rusher, a decisive advantage in first downs and perfect touchdown production on four red-zone trips.

For the Panthers, who entered the game 5-1 and coming off a loss, the result marked a return to the win column. Hubbard's three rushing touchdowns and Carolina's red-zone production stood at the center of a 29-point performance on the road.

Up Next

Carolina returns home in Week 9 to host the Denver Broncos, while Green Bay will look to rebound on the road against the New England Patriots.