The Green Bay Packers fell behind 13-0 in the first half of Sunday’s game at Carolina, but the defending Super Bowl Champ scored 23 straight points and rallied for a 30-23 win over the Panthers. Rookie quarterback Cam Newton passed for 432 yards and a score but was intercepted three times. Charles Woodson had two and Morgan Burnett came up with the third. Woodson also recovered a fumble by Steve Smith, who caught six passes for 156 yards. Aaron Rodgers completed 19 of 30 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns. Greg Jennings hauled in a 49-yard TD pass and Jordy Nelson sealed the win with a scoring reception that covered 84 yards. John Kuhn scored on a one yard run and Mason Crosby kicked three field goals. The Packers are now 2 and 0. They will play the Bears at Soldier Field Sunday at 3:15.
Notes:
Safety Nick Collins was taken off the field on a stretcher in the second half after suffering a neck injury. The Packers issued a statement Sunday evening that said that Collins had normal feeling and complete movement in his extremities. As is standard procedure, Collins was kept in the hospital overnight for observation. When he returns to Green Bay, he will undergo further testing and evaluation.
Defensive lineman Ryan Pickett suffered a foot injury in Sunday’s win and did not return.
Receiver Donald Driver caught one pass for ten yards in Sunday’s win. Driver is now the Packers all-time leader in receiving yards. He has 9,666 yards and passed James Lofton for the top spot.
