Grading the Panthers defense vs. Green Bay
![CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 17: Luke Kuechly #59 of the Carolina Panthers takes the field against the Green Bay Packers before their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 17: Luke Kuechly #59 of the Carolina Panthers takes the field against the Green Bay Packers before their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fcatcrave-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F12-2F894283484-green-bay-packers-v-carolina-panthers-jpg-850x560-e835c1af9b7cc2bce14c2d3b01e8b52d916049ef4624c05e5b7b669d2127a46a.jpg)
Linebacker: B
Playing again without versatile outside counterpart, Shaq Thompson, who remains sidelined with a foot injury the Panthers corps group continues to adjust. Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis only combined for eight tackles and one-half sack (Davis) largely due to the game plan enforced by Green Bay.
The Packers shied away from the middle of the field, instead relying on attacking Carolina deep and on the outside.
One of the more controversial plays came on a blindside block delivered by Davis following a Rodgers interception. The illegal hit put Packers receiver Davante Adams into the NFL concussion protocol after Davis went helmet to helmet attempting to clear a return path for safety Colin Jones.