Packers Winners And Losers: Week 8 Vs. The Panthers

On a short week after a disappointing loss, the Green Bay Packers bounced back, defeating the Carolina Panthers on Thursday Night Football, 27-19. Heading into this week, the Packers are sitting in last place in the NFC North, but are still very much in the thick of the Wild Card battle as a member of the toughest division in the league. The Milwaukee Brewers brought some of their championship magic to Lambeau Field on Thursday, and it looks like it rubbed off. Let’s take a look at the best and worst, as the Packers jump to 5-3 on the season.

Winner: Tucker Kraft

The Packers TE has had an up and down season so far since returning from a torn ACL he sustained in 2025. There have been drops, missed plays, and just an overall sense of hesitation from Kraft, as can be expected from someone returning from such a brutal injury. That being said: he looked pretty great on Thursday. He had the Packers’ first score of the game, an absolute missile from QB Jordan Love. He also caught every single pass which came his way—6 total, for 53 yards.

Winner: Christian Watson

Speaking of players returning from brutal injuries. WR Christian Watson went down hard while making a 53-yard catch in the 2nd quarter, was coughing up blood on the sidelines, went to the hospital and…came back into the game, ending the night leading all receivers in receptions and yards. I can’t say I’ve seen anything like this. Watson finished the night catching 8 of 10 targets for 113 yards.

Winner: Jordan Love

Another day at the Do-It-All Factory for QB Jordan Love, another great game with one boneheaded throw. With one receiver in the hospital, another dropping his ~86th touchdown this year, and zero run game, Love still found a way to lead the offense to their 5th win of the season. With the pocket collapsing, it was no problem for him: just throw while you’re on the run.

He had some really gorgeous plays on Thursday, once again showing he can fit the ball only where the receiver is able to get it, and overall made some magic out of nothing. Love finished the night 30 for 41 (73%), with 3 TDs, 1 INT, and a 106.6 rating. It’s not outrageous to suggest that the Packers are 0-8 without him at QB, and for that reason, he’s made his way into the MVP conversation (at the bottom of the list, but he’s there!)

Winner: Ty’Ron Hopper

Um, hello???? With Edgerrin Cooper out for the season, and Zaire Franklin inactive, we saw a ton of LB Ty’Ron Hopper on Thursday. He. Looked. GREAT. He had some great stops at the point of catch, preventing plays from extending. He came out of NOWHERE to force a quick Bryce Young throw, and the Panthers were forced to punt. There were some great PBUs. There was an interception. I mean, this guy did everything last night. He finished the night with 8 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT, 3 PDs, and 2 QB hits. I can’t confirm, but I think it’s probably pretty good when you’re the first Packer since Charles Woodson to record 3 PDs, a sack, and a pick in the same game.

Loser: Trey Smack

The rookie K had another game we’d all like to forget, missing an XP after the Packers scored their first TD of the game. He can no longer be trusted, and as a result, the Packers opted to punt while on the Panthers 37 yard line, instead of attempting a FG. When he finally made his first XP of the night, the crowd pop sounded like the Brewers had won the World Series again. I wouldn’t count on the Packers cutting a guy they traded up to draft this year, but we shouldn’t be surprised if they finally start working out some kickers.

Loser: Josh Jacobs

The RB finished the day with 1 rushing TD and just 39 yards on 21 carries, a paltry 1.9 average. He caught all 6 targets for 13 receiving yards, and 1 more receiving TD. He also pled no contest to battery in September after a May 2026 incident involving his former girlfriend.

The 5-3 Packers have a much needed mini-bye week, and won’t play again until November 8th, when they head to New England to face off against the 4-3 Patriots during the day’s later slate of games. Let’s hope there’s some semblance of a run game, and our kicker’s leg doesn’t fall off.