6 most concerning things for Packers coming out of loss to Panthers

The Green Bay Packers suffered another stunning loss on Sunday at Lambeau Field, falling 16-13 to the Carolina Panthers after kicker Ryan Fitzgerald nailed a 49-yard field goal as time expired in the fourth quarter.

Matt LaFleur’s team suffered important injuries, failed to contain Rico Dowdle or sack Bryce Young, struggled in the red zone and had another missed field goal.

Highlighting the six most concerning things coming out of Sunday’s stunning loss:

1. Injuries, especially to Tucker Kraft

Losing a football game is one thing. Suffering season-altering injuries is quite another. The Packers lost tight end Tucker Kraft to a potentially season-ending injury, and rookie Matthew Golden, defensive lineman Colby Wooden and left guard Aaron Banks all left with injuries and didn’t return. The Kraft injury could be crushing to the Packers’ title hopes. He is a centerpiece of the offense and likely irreplaceable within Matt LaFleur’s scheme. A capable run blocker both inline and on the move, Kraft is also a devastatingly effective pass-catcher and arguably the NFL’s best tight end after the catch. His backup, Luke Musgrave, has struggled as a blocker and is close to a zero after the catch. The other injuries could be significant, too. Golden is a key player with Jayden Reed out, Wooden is vital to the run defense and the offensive line was just starting to get healthy when Banks went out.

2. Run defense

The Panthers’ plan was hardly a secret. Dave Canales’ team wanted to run the ball, control the clock and limit the number of possessions. Mission accomplished. Carolina rushed for 163 yards, and Rico Dowdle — who gained 130 rushing yards — became the first player to rush for over 100 yards against the Packers this season. Dowdle scored two touchdowns in the red zone and had the key 19-yard run to set up the game-winning field goal. The Packers limited Carolina to only 16 points, but there is no absolving the defense for responsibility of this result. The Panthers gained 11 rushing first downs, were 2-for-2 on fourth down, scored twice in the red zone and engineered the game-winning drive late.

3. Red zone failures

Speaking of the red zone, the Packers — who came into Week 9 ranked seventh in touchdown percentage in the red zone — were terrible inside the 20-yard line on Sunday. Savion Williams’ fumble erased at least three points, and the Packers turned the ball over on downs on 4th-and-8, erasing three more points in the fourth quarter. Twice, the offense had to come off the field and settle for field goals after getting into the red zone. The Packers’ first four trips inside the 20 resulted in all of six points, and the first touchdown didn’t come until late in the fourth quarter. Throwing away points in the red zone is always a good way to get beat in the NFL.

4. McManus misses again

The concern level is rising on veteran kicker Brandon McManus, who missed a 43-yard field goal in the third quarter and now has misses in four of his six games this season. Since returning from a right quad injury, McManus has missed three field goals, including two under 50 yards. Lucas Havrisik remains on the 53-man roster after making all 10 of his kicks — including a 61-yarder — while McManus was out. Do the Packers want to bank on McManus regaining form or gamble with the young kicker who was so good for two weeks?

5. Run game starts but sputters

Teams are playing two-high shells and daring the Packers to run the ball, and Matt LaFleur is often obliging. The problem is the run game hasn’t been nearly consistent enough all season. While Josh Jacobs ripped off a few explosive runs and finished averaging over 5.0 yards per carry, the Panthers never felt threatened by the run game and forced the Packers to string together a bunch of positive plays to move the ball. At some point, Matt LaFleur will have to put more of the game on his quarterback’s shoulders, especially with another injury along the offensive line and the potential of Tucker Kraft missing significant time. At the half point of the season, the run game just isn’t good enough.

6. Little from the pass rush

By the second half, the Panthers were down four preferred starters along the offensive line. The Packers not only couldn’t stop the run consistently but failed to disrupt Bryce Young and create negative plays. The defense finished with one sack (which resulted in a positive gain after the fumble was recovered and advanced), one tackle for loss and only two quarterback hits. Young didn’t play well — he completed 11 passes for 102 yards — and the defense got a pick in the end zone off of pressure, but in crunch time, Young found a 9-yard completion while buying time and later hit Tetairoa McMilan for 10 yards to keep the Panthers moving on the game-winning drive. The failure to consistently win the line of scrimmage on defense was hugely disappointing.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: 6 most concerning things for Packers coming out of loss to Panthers