Rodgers offers ray of hope
has been preaching to his No. 5 ranked defense to prepare for the Packers as if Brett Hundley was still the starting QB.
“To us it shouldn't be a big deal,” Rivera said. “They said he was going to be back for our game. That's what we expected. I don't want our guys getting caught up in it. I want our guys focusing on getting prepared.”
But maybe there is some reason to be concerned.
Rodgers has played well against Carolina. He's averaging 307.5 yards per game with 12 touchdown passes and three interceptions over the past four meetings.
The Packers will need to step up their protection.
Rodgers was sacked 19 times in five games before being injured on Oct. 15. Green Bay has allowed the third-most sacks (43) in the league and will face a Carolina defense that is tied for third in the league in sacks with 40.
McCarthy said he's not surprised that Julius Peppers is on the verge of his ninth double-digit sack season. The 37-year-old defensive end has 9{ sacks coming into the game against his former team. McCarthy said that Peppers works hard, was a great leader during his three seasons for the Packers and has nothing but respect him.
There was at least one benefit for the offense without Rodgers: the Packers rediscovered their running game. Rookie running backs Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones have each had 100-yard games since Rodgers got hurt, and the Packers even incorporated some read-option looks with Hundley at quarterback. Those plays are likely to go away with Rodgers back, though the production out of the backfield has brought more balance. Williams, who has secured the starting job of late, has also become a threat in the passing game, with two receiving touchdowns over the past three weeks.
The Packers can expect to see a heavy dose of Cam Newton, Jonathan Stewart and Christian McCaffrey in the running game. Carolina has run for more than 200 yards in each of its past three home games — all victories. “We know what our DNA is,” Newton said of the run game. Newton has been a major factor in the big numbers, using his scrambling ability to create plays. He's averaging 83.6 yards rushing over his past three games at home.