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Packers Beat Panthers, Love Shines But Watson Injured

3:24 PM ETConfirmed

Sports Desk

In Short: The Green Bay Packers defeated the Carolina Panthers 27-19, with Jordan Love throwing for 288 yards and three touchdowns, but Christian Watson was hospitalized after a collision.

The Green Bay Packers secured a 27-19 victory over the Carolina Panthers in a Thursday Night Football matchup at Lambeau Field.

Jordan Love, the Packers' quarterback, had a standout performance, completing 30 of 41 passes for 288 yards and three touchdowns.

Love's deep ball accuracy was particularly impressive, as he finished the game with a 15 of 19 completion rate against Carolina’s relentless blitzes, throwing for 130 yards and two touchdowns.

Despite the win, the Packers entered the game as the fourth-ranked team in the NFC North, while the Panthers were first in the NFC South.

Christian Watson, the Packers' top receiver, exited the game with an injury after a hard collision with Panthers cornerback Will Lee III.

Watson was taken to the hospital for precautionary testing, mirroring a similar incident from the previous year when he played the following week.

"I never wanted to go [to hospital], I was hoping they’d let me off," Watson said after the game.

"Late in the game, it wasn’t good enough," Love reflected on his performance.

"Man, it feels good," Love added, expressing satisfaction with the team's 4-2 record.

"That's what we talked about, and that's what we practiced," head coach Matt LaFleur said, referring to the team's defensive strategy.

The Panthers, who were seventh in the AP poll's 'others receiving votes' category, could see their ranking improve after this road win.

"Almost identical to last year at Denver. Hopefully similar outcome and won’t miss time," said one fan, expressing hope for Watson's quick recovery.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• Here are my takeaways from the Packers' win over the Panthers: The Packers QB is earning a reputation for the way he throws the deep ball.
• They beat the Carolina Panthers, 27-13, on Thursday night at Lambeau Field.
• Against the Panthers’ relentless blitzes, Love finished 15 of 19 for 130 yards and two touchdowns.
• And it must not feel great that the Packers entered this week as the fourth-ranked team in the NFC North — and the Panthers entered this week first in the NFC South.
• My favorite element of Love’s game is the way he can beat the beat.
• “I never wanted to go [to hospital], I was hoping they’d let me off,” Watson said after the game.

What's still developing

• There were issues — particularly in the fourth quarter.
• Both have been disappointing, but one only mildly and the other very much so.
• Jordan Love has been quite solid and this team still has a gifted set of top receiving options, but their ground game has been mediocre and Love’s completed a concerningly low 52% of his passes thus far.
• If the Falcons can get a couple of Love turnovers and give this overmatched Green Bay line enough fits to force multiple false starts and holds, they’ll give the offense a real chance at pulling this one out in primetime.
• Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi delivered a fiery rebuke of AP poll voters after the unranked Panthers escaped with a 35-33 win at Virginia Tech on Friday night when Hokies kicker John Love missed a 36-yard field goal attempt on the final play.
• Detroit took on the Rams and won 24-23, while Jordan Love and the Packers destroyed the Dallas Cowboys.
• The Bears have two first-round picks thanks to its trade with the Carolina Panthers last season but don’t have a second-round pick after trading for Montez Sweat.
• Watson’s injury occurred as he made a 53-yard catch, with Panthers cornerback Will Lee also getting hurt on the play while making a diving stop.
• Love went 30 of 41 for 288 yards with touchdown passes to Tucker Kraft, Matthew Golden and Jacobs plus an interception.
• “I felt like I was watching ‘WWE Smackdown vs. Raw’ or something, seeing the cameras on me when I was coming out of the ambulance,” said Watson, who caught eight passes for 113 yards.
• He's been the Packers' top receiver so far this season.
• Thursday night’s Packers-Panthers game saw two players exit with injuries on the same play — with one going to the hospital.

Sources

• FOX Sportslink
• Fox Newslink
• Thefalcoholiclink
• CBS Sportslink
• Fox32Chicagolink
• Fox Newslink
• Profootballnetworklink
• The Guardianlink
• Fox11Onlinelink
• Newsweeklink
• Packerslink
• Nypostlink
• Economictimeslink
• WarpBeat — background on Packers vs. Panthers: Green Bay Favored in Thursday Night Football Matchup link
• It's khuzaima — video link