Like cats have nine lives, the Green Bay Packers will need nine wins to survive the NFC playoff picture, starting Sunday in North Carolina against the Panthers.
Defensive coordinator Joe Barry drew the ire of fans for the second week in a row as his defense allowed Baker Mayfield to post a perfect passer rating in a 34-20 loss to Tampa Bay last Sunday. It shadowed a solid outing by Jordan Love, who went 29-39 for 284 yards and two touchdowns. His lone turnover came on the Packers' final play of the game when he fumbled the ball trying to get rid of the ball on fourth down.
The Panthers have been listless all season as they have stumbled to a 2-12 record. In most years, this would make them a lock for the Number 1 pick. However, they traded that pick and DJ Moore earlier this year, potentially locking last year's first-overall pick Bryce Young and the rest of the Panthers in the NFC South basement.
Kickoff is set for noon on Sunday.
