The Carolina Panthers pulled off one of the most surprising upsets of the 2025 NFL season, defeating the Green Bay Packers 16-13 on the road at Lambeau Field. The win snaps a three-game losing streak against Green Bay and marks a pivotal moment for a Panthers squad that has struggled with injuries and inconsistency all year.
Panthers Find Their Grit in the Frozen Tundra
Coming into Week 9, the Panthers were reeling from a humiliating 40-9 loss to the Buffalo Bills and had cycled through seven different offensive line combinations this season. With the Packers sitting atop the NFC and boasting a 41-12 home record under coach Matt LaFleur, few gave Carolina much of a chance.
But the Panthers, led by second-year quarterback
Bryce Young, showed resilience that’s been missing for much of the year. Young, returning from an ankle injury, managed the game efficiently and built on his growing chemistry with rookie wide receiver
Tetairoa McMillan, who has become a key playmaker for Carolina.
Defensive Stand and Late-Game Heroics
The Panthers’ defense, battered and shuffled all season, stepped up in a big way. They held Packers quarterback
Jordan Love and the Green Bay offense to just 13 points, forcing key stops in the red zone and capitalizing on Green Bay’s mistakes.
With the game tied late in the fourth quarter, Carolina’s offense mounted a decisive drive, capped by a clutch field goal to take the lead. The defense then sealed the win, stopping the Packers’ final push and sending the Lambeau crowd home in disbelief.
Packers Left Searching for Answers
For the Packers, the loss is a gut punch. Green Bay had been riding high as the NFC’s top seed, but costly penalties and missed opportunities haunted them throughout the afternoon. Quarterback Jordan Love called the defeat “frustrating,” as the Packers failed to execute in critical moments.
The Packers now face a tough stretch, with the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles coming to Lambeau for Monday Night Football next week.
What This Means for Both Teams
-
Carolina Panthers (5-4): The win brings the Panthers back above .500 and injects new life into their playoff hopes. The team’s ability to adapt—despite a revolving door on the offensive line—shows a level of resilience that coach Dave Canales has been preaching all season.
-
Green Bay Packers (5-2-1): The loss exposes vulnerabilities for a team that had looked dominant at home. With the NFC race tightening, the Packers will need to regroup quickly.
Key Takeaways
-
Bryce Young’s return was a difference-maker, providing stability and leadership for the Panthers’ offense.
-
Carolina’s defense delivered under pressure, holding a high-powered Packers offense in check.
-
Green Bay’s mistakes—including penalties and missed red zone chances—proved costly in a tightly contested game.
Looking Ahead
The Panthers will look to build on this momentum as they chase a playoff spot in the crowded NFC. For the Packers, the upset loss is a wake-up call as they prepare for a critical matchup against the Eagles.
Sources
1. Green Bay Packers suffer upset loss to the Carolina Panthers
2. Panthers vs Packers Week 9 Game Hub: Who's Inactive, How to ...
3. Rapid Reactions: Panthers upset the Packers on the road
4. Cat Scratch Reader
5. Panthers learning the "resilience" they've been looking to build
6. Brian Answers: Rico Dowdle/Chuba Hubbard, cap casualties, Dave ...
7. Jordan Love reacts to loss: 'It was frustrating' - Green Bay Packers
8. Cheesehead TV | Devoted to Green Bay Packers fans worldwide
9. Carolina Panthers vs Green Bay Packers Game Highlights - YouTube
10. CBS Sports - News, Live Scores, Schedules, Fantasy Games, Video ...
11. Official Site of the National Football League - NFL.com
12. Best Carolina Panthers Podcasts (2025) - Player FM
