Green Bay Packers decided to turn back the clock and make it feel like it was 2019. The Packers started off hot with 21 points in the first half. Then they only scored three the rest of the game. Packers won 24-16, but it did not leave anyone with warm and fuzzies. Despite Carolina playing to their brand of football this year (Frisky, within one score), it still did not feel as good as some of the other wins this season. Green Bay continues to their hold on the one seed as they march towards the playoffs.

Player of the Game: Aaron Jones – For the haters who were wondering where Aaron Jones was, he’s here. Matt LaFleur said that Jones would be unleashed for the stretch run. The stretch run is here. Jones went crazy in this one with a 7.3 average and a touchdown. Jones finished with 145 yards. He looks fresh for the final push of the season. Green Bay could have ridden him a little longer in this one though. Last two weeks, it feels Green Bay was turned around. Ran too much last week, passed too much this week.

Honorable Mention: Adrian Amos – Right now, Green Bay has two of the best safeties in the league. Their safeties are not getting enough credit for what they’re doing in the defensive backfield. Amos had a day. Seven tackles, three pass deflections, and one tackle-for-loss. Amos should be considered a Pro Bowler. He’s been damn good this season, and this is another one to add to the highlight reel.

What went right for the Packers: Green Bay’s defense is cooking – People can say what they want about this defense, but they’re playing well. Now, next week is a major test for what we’ve seen recently. Is Green Bay’s defense playing a playoff level or will the same worries creep in? Krys Barnes is a legit middle linebacker. They have talent all over the defense.

What went wrong for the Packers: Offensive line was horrendous – The Packers have a great offensive line. One of the best in the NFL. They got trucked by the young Panthers’ front seven. The Panthers haven’t had a good defensive line all year, but they came to play in this one. The Packers weren’t ready. I’m not ready to overreact about one game, but it needs to get cleaned up.

Next up: Tennessee comes to town in a game that will not matter if the Saints lose. Packers will still need to beat the Bears for the one seed, but being that it’s a non-conference game, it is house money. But all I want for Green Bay is to shut up the miserable fans who are expecting to run over by Derrick Henry.

Charlie.