NFL Football
2026-10-29 - Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NFL Week 8
Thursday 29th October 2026 - Scheduled 8:20pm EST
12:20am (British Time)
Preview
Both of these teams suffered disappointing losses in Week 7, although in very different circumstances, and both will be looking to bounce back on a short week and get back on track in the 2026 season.
The Green Bay Packers (4-3) proved to be the only team in the NFC North to suffer a loss in Week 7 and that has dropped them into the basement of the Division, although it should be noted they still have a winning record overall and that keeps them in a position to fight for Wild Card spots later in the year.
Green Bay suffered a tight loss to the Detroit Lions thanks to some problems for the Field Goal team and that will have really hurt.
This week they are hosting the Carolina Panthers (3-3) who were blown out at home by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, although remain the NFC South leaders. All of the other teams in that Division have a losing record, but the Panthers have not taken control following the defeat to the Buccaneers, which has dropped them to 1-1 in the NFC South and with the players all looking for a proper reaction to the awful overall performance on Sunday.
An early Bye Week means the Panthers have to find a way to bounce back very quickly if they are to regain some momentum, while the Defensive unit clearly have to improve at the Line of Scrimmage to make things easier.
Tampa Bay ran all over the Panthers in Week 7, but the Green Bay Packers have not been able to run the ball with any consistency this season and that is the battle that could be a big factor in the final outcome. If the Carolina Defensive Line can win, they will be very confident in their ability to earn the upset on the road at Lambeau Field for the second season in a row, but the script flips significantly if the Green Bay Packers can get something going on the ground.
Josh Jacobs was back in action for the Packers, but he only picked up a little over 3 yards per carry and was a bigger threat catching the ball out of the backfield. He did drop a pass that would have given the Packers a Touchdown lead late in the Fourth Quarter, but Jacobs and the Green Bay Offensive Line will be looking to find a way to at least exploit some of the holes that the Panthers have been leaving up front.
Getting anything going on the ground would certainly help Jordan Love and company and just make things that much easier to plan.
In recent games, Jordan Love has definitely stepped up his level and he should be given the time to hit Receivers down the field and put the Green Bay Packers in a position to win this game. Avoiding becoming one-dimensional Offensively is the key for Green Bay and would also mean Jordan Love can perhaps make a few more clearer decisions in the passing game and limit the turnovers that have been thrown.
The Packers are going to believe they can bounce back Offensively from the last defeat and the same can be said for the Carolina Panthers after an overall disappointing display against a Divisional rival.
Bryce Young will have noted how well Jared Goff played against the Packers Secondary and will be looking to pick up from the Lions left off, while the performance of Jahmyr Gibbs means Carolina can attempt to stay balanced when they have the ball in hands.
In recent games, the Packers Defensive unit had shown encouraging improvements, but that game against the Lions is a reminder there is still work to do and Carolina can have successes.
The key to the Packers is getting enough pass rush pressure to try and force mistakes from the Quarter Back and the Secondary has been able to step in front of passes when that pressure has been applied. Bryce Young has not been protected as well as he would have liked in recent outings and that is where the Packers can have some success, while the Defensive Line has something to prove having been pretty tough up front before the game against the Lions.
Motivation from the home defeat suffered to the Panthers in November 2025 should also get the Packers focused and ready for this game and they may do enough to edge what could be a high-scoring game.
Green Bay have won the last couple of home games in very good fashion against the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys and they may be able to stall a couple of drives and/or force a turnover or two to push the momentum in their own favour. That is key for the Packers and the home crowd will certainly help as Green Bay earn revenge against the Carolina Panthers and secure a win by around a Touchdown mark.
Prediction
Lay the points with the home favourite on Thursday Night Football as Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season gets underway.
The Pick :
Green Bay Packers 27-20 Carolina Panthers
