Headline: Packers Win Another Last Minute Squeeker Offensive Player of the Game: Donald Driver= 5 catches-97 yards= 2 touchdowns
For the second straight week, the Green Bay Packers lived life on the edge, but in the end, they found a way to pull out a victory and improve to 3-1 on the young season.
Carolina received to start the game. Their initial series resulted in a punt. The Packers began their first possession of the day following that at the 15. Ahmann Green returned to the line-up strong and gained 12 yards on his initial carry. Next a reverse to Driver gained 15 yards out to the 42. Later Favre passed to Glenn for a a gain of 18 down to the 18. From there the drive stalled, and Longwell came in and kicked a 30 yard field goal to make it 3-0. The Panthers would take the lead late in the first quarter. Rodney Peete would connect for gains of 6 and 15 yards on consecutive plays. Carolina was later faced with a third and nine. Mike McKenzie rushed in on a blitz, but missed the tackle, Lamar Smith then bolted his way down field for a 62 yard gain before Naill Diggs caught him at the five. Two plays later, Smith scored the touchdown from the three. Dhayne Grahm added the p.a.t. and Carolina led 7-3 as the first quarter ended.
For the majority of the second quarter, the teams exchaged field position with punts. Late in the quarter, the Packers started a drive at the 30. On first down, Favre passed to Ferguson for a gain of 9. A few plays later, Favre connected with Driver for a gain of 15. After a pass interference penalty on Carolina, the Packers had the ball at the 31. On the next play, Favre backed stepped and threw to Franks from the 36... Franks caught the pass, and then threw a pass down field to Driver who beat his coverage and scored the touchdown. At first, the officials called a penalty for the Packers having thrown two forward illegal passes. Coach Mike Sherman went irate on the call and demanded the replay. He was penalzed 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct, BUT... after reviewing the play, the officials ruled it was indeed a touchdown! Longwell added the extra point, and the Packers led 10-7 at the half.
Despite a turnover by each team in the third quarter,and Favre getting sacked for a 10 yard loss, neither team scored and it remained 10-7 going into the fourth.
Carolina took the lead early in the fourth. Brad Hoover did the damage, first gaining 11 yards on a third and four to keep the drive alive. Then he gained 30 yards, giving the Panthers a first and goal at the 3. On first and goal, Lamar Smith scored the touchdown. Graham added the p.a.t. and the Panthers led 14-10. Following that score, the teams again traded punts. Favre was again sacked for a loss of 8. Lamar Smith fumbled on a carry, which the Packers recovered at the 38, but unable to move the ball, the Packers punted right back to Carolina. On a later series for the Panthers, they were faced with a third and short, Gilbert Brown stormed threw and stopped the play for a loss, forcing a punt. The Packers took over at the 35. On first down, Favre was sacked for a loss of 10. Ferguson then gained 8 on a pass from Favre. On the next play, Favre avoided a heavy pass rush, and threw to Driver. Driver tracked back to make the catch, and he was bummped by Emannuel McDaniel. Following a pass interference penalty, the Packers were sitting in excellent field position. A few plays later, Favre hit Driver for a 23 yard touchdown pass. Longwell added the p.a.t. and the Packers led 17-14 with just over four minutes remaining. Carolina stormed back, and put themselves in range for a game-tying field goal, which would have sent the game to over-time. Graham came out to kick a 25 yarder. He shanked the kick to the right, and MISSED it with :23 remaining.
PACKERS WIN 17-14
Record now at 3-1
Up Next: At Chicago ( Champaign) 8pm Monday October 8
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