3 ways the Carolina Panthers can stop Aaron Rodgers in Week 15
By Dean Jones
Keep Rodgers off the field
The best chance that the Carolina Panthers have of stopping Aaron Rodgers from putting up some significant numbers in Week 15 is keeping him on the sidelines. Green Bay’s defense is a formidable adversary when they generate early momentum. But there are still some questions surrounding the unit and its capabilities when things aren’t going their way.
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will need to control the line of scrimmage far better than he has over the last two games. There is growing pressure on the free-agent signing after some inconsistent performances of late and if things don’t improve over the next three games, it might come with the Panthers taking a potential franchise signal-caller in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Controlling the time of possession battle is crucial in any game. But especially going to somewhere like Lambeau Field.
If Carolina is looking for inspiration ahead of the contest they should look no further than the Minnesota Vikings, who rode running back Dalvin Cook all the way to an eye-catching victory over their NFC North rivals on the road in convincing fashion earlier this season.
Not having Christian McCaffrey isn’t going to help matters. But Mike Davis has proven more than a capable backup and providing the offensive line can hold up its end of the bargain after a dismal performance against the Broncos, expect to see the veteran used prominently in the gameplan.
If the Panthers can do this and make the most out of any red-zone opportunities that come their way, it might just see the game become more competitive than people think going in.