GREEN BAY, WI. (CAROLINA SPORTS LIVE) — The 13.5-point underdog Panthers secure a win on the road over Green Bay after a last-second field goal by rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald.
The Panthers had the ball deep in Green Bay territory early in the second quarter after no one scored in the first 15 minutes, but Bryce Young was picked off in the end zone on a pass intended for Xavier Legette.
The Packers responded by making a 49-yard field goal for the game’s first points.
The Panthers then marched right down the field in 5.5 minutes, which ended in a Rico Dowdle five-yard touchdown run. The Panthers were able to hold the Packers to only three points on the last drive of the half, and went into the locker room up 7-6.
Back for the third quarter, Carolina’s defense is making Green Bay QB Jordan Love pay. He went long but was intercepted by Tre’von Moehrig, who took it back 26 yards. That got the Panthers in FG position.
Question is: Can they capitalize? Initially, it didn’t look like it.
Young to the endzone looked like he was picked off, but wait…penalty against Green Bay. It’s a pass interference, so Carolina gets a fresh set of downs.
They’d only need one play to get it in, and that was brought on by Dowdle for his second TD. Afterward, he was called for excessive celebration, which resulted in a 15-yard penalty. What should have been an eight-point lead turned into seven after the extra point was no good.
Now in the fourth, Carolina desperately tries to hold onto its lead. But the Packers kept coming, and they’d eventually muscle in a TD by Josh Jacobs. Game tied 13-13.
Under two minutes left of the game, the Panthers try to get into field goal range. They give it to Rico, who goes 19 yards, getting Carolina down to the 31.
For the second time this season, it’s up to rookie Ryan Fitzgerald to seal the deal. The 49-yarder was good, winning the game for the Panthers 16-13.
The Panthers return home to host the New Orleans Saints on November 9. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m. on Queen City News.
