Back at Lambeau: Packers hoping to extend their winning streak this week vs. the Carolina Panthers

GREEN BAY (WITI) -- Following an exciting victory over the Miami Dolphins last Sunday afternoon at Sun Life Stadium, the Green Bay Packers are back home this Sunday, October 19th. They'll face the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field.

Kickoff is set for noon at Lambeau Field. You can watch the game on FOX6!

The Packers are 4-2 following last Sunday's victory over the Dolphins.

The Carolina Panthers are 3-2-1. Last week's game vs. the Cincinnati Bengals ended in a tie.

This Sunday marks the Packers third home game of the NFL's regular season.

Versus the Panthers, the Packers have a 7-4 edge in the all-time regular-season series, including a 2-2 mark at home against Carolina. The teams have met 12 times in the regular season.

The first-ever meeting between the two teams came in the 1996 NFC Championship, when the Packers beat a Panthers team, coached by current Green Bay defensive coordinator Dom Capers, 30-13 at Lambeau Field. Three of the Packers’ four losses to the Panthers have come by four points or less, while five of the eight wins (including the postseason) have been by at least 10 points.

Sunday marks the Panthers' sixth trip to Lambeau Field during the regular and postseason. Green Bay is 3-2 against Carolina at Lambeau.

The Panthers are currently ranked first in NFC South standings. The Packers are currently ranked second in the NFC North.

Under Head Coach Mike McCarthy, the Packers are 66-33-1 against NFC teams during the regular season. Green Bay’s 66 regular-season wins against NFC teams since 2006 are the most in the NFL. Dating back to 2006, the Packers’ point differential of plus-539 against NFC teams during the regular season is the second most in the league.

This week, and in the following three matchups, the Packers will face teams that made the playoffs last year (Carolina, New Orleans, Philadelphia and New England). Three won their division in 2013 and all won at least 10 games.

The Packers have had success at home so far this season. They're looking to go 3-0 at Lambeau Field, and a win over the Panthers this week would make that a reality for the second consecutive year. It's something that has happened 20 times in franchise history.

Dating back to 1960, Green Bay has started 3-0 at home in consecutive seasons three times (1965-66 / 1996-97 / 2001-02).

The Packers and the Panthers last met at Lambeau Field on November 30th, 2008. The Panthers won, 35-31.

The teams most recently met on September 18th of 2011 at Bank of America Stadium. The Packers won, 30-23.

The Packers fell behind 13-0 but outscored the Panthers 30-10 the rest of the way to come out with the victory. With the Packers up by a touchdown in the fourth quarter, Carolina drove to the Packers’ 6-yard-line and on fourth-and-four, LB Clay Matthews stopped a scrambling QB Cam Newton a yard short of the first down. Two plays later, QB Aaron Rodgers connected with WR Jordy Nelson on a 84-yard touchdown to put Green Bay up 30-16 with just over two minutes to play. Rodgers (308) and Newton (432) both threw for over 300 yards. The Packers intercepted Newton three times, with CB Charles Woodson recording two of them.

The Packers say the stat of the week for this week goes to Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson. Last week at Miami, Nelson recorded a game-high nine receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown in the Packers’ 27-24 victory. It was the fourth time this season Nelson registered at least nine receptions in a game. His four games with at least nine receptions are two more than any other player in the NFL this season.

A note about quarterback Aaron Rodgers: He's become the first NFL quarterback to throw for 15-plus touchdowns with one or fewer interceptions in the first six games of a season. Rodgers has not thrown an interception in his last 170 pass attempts.

On the defensive side, linebacker Julius Peppers is the only player in the NFL with at least a sack (1.5), an interception (one), a forced fumble (one), a fumble recovery (two) and a defensive touchdown (one) this season. He's also the only player in NFL history with 10 interceptions and at least 100 sacks in his career. Peppers has played in 102 consecutive games -- the longest active streak among NFL linebackers.

Linebacker Clay Matthews needs one more interception to join Peppers as two of five active NFL players with at least six interceptions and 40 sacks.

This week, the Packers are hoping for their fourth consecutive victory. It would be the fifth consecutive season that Green Bay has recorded at least one winning streak of four or more games.

Something to look for this week: Green Bay’s defense has recorded eight interceptions in the last four games, the second most in the NFL over that span. Additionally -- the Packers have recorded a league-high 180 interception return yards this season.

The Packers say Lambeau Field is ready for this Sunday's matchup.

Packers fans attending this Sunday’s contest against the Carolina Panthers will have the opportunity to give back to the community by participating in the 28th annual Packers Women’s Association Food Drive.

The drive will take place prior to kickoff, and is coordinated in partnership with Paul’s Pantry. PWA members and Paul’s Pantry volunteers will collect non-perishable food items and cash donations in the stadium parking lot and at the gates. Each PWA member will be wearing a PWA jersey or button. Food items can be placed in bins located throughout the Lambeau Field parking lot.

As an added incentive to donate to the drive, fans have an opportunity to win Packers autographed items. For every $5 donation or five non-perishable food items contributed, a fan will receive a ticket stub. The winning ticket numbers will be drawn and announced on the scoreboard during the game. Fans with the winning ticket stubs can pick up their item at the guest services desk in the Lambeau Field Atrium.

Two alumni are scheduled to make appearances throughout the weekend at various locations. Jerry Kramer and Fuzzy Thurston will be taking part in fan activities at the Packers Pro Shop, Tundra Tailgate Zone and Legends Club leading up to kickoff. 

The University of Wisconsin Marching Band will perform and a member of Very Special Arts Wisconsin will sign the National Anthem. The US Coast Guard will perform a helicopter flyover during the anthem.

In addition, the Packers and WPS Health Insurance will be recognizing US Navy Officer Garrett Thomas through Operation Fan Mail on-field prior to the national anthem.

The University of Wisconsin Marching Band will play during halftime, as well as throughout the concourse and seating areas during the game. The band will also perform their traditional Fifth Quarter at the conclusion of Sunday’s game. 

Also taking place Sunday is the premier gameday tailgate party in the Tundra Tailgate Zone (TTZ) in the Lambeau Field parking lot.

For a full list of gameday information, please visit packers.com/gameday/gameday-information.html.

Fans will receive sunglasses compliments of Sentry as they enter Sunday’s game.

The Lambeau Field Atrium and guest relations desk will open at 8:00 a.m. for ticketed guests only. The Lambeau Field parking lot will open at 8:00 a.m., along with the Tundra Tailgate Zone.

Gates to the seating areas will open at 10:00 a.m.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Northeast Region is reminding motorists heading to Lambeau Field on Sunday, October 19 for the Green Bay Packer/Carolina Panthers game that US 41 and adjacent roadways from Oneida Street north to Suamico are under construction.

The US 41/WIS 172 interchange could experience significant backups on both north and south US 41 and east and west WIS 172. Closures, orange barrels, narrow lanes WILL affect game day travel. Due to all the construction, Ashland Avenue through De Pere and Ashwaubenon will also experience increased traffic congestion as additional motorists use this as an alternate route.

WisDOT strongly recommends motorists allow themselves additional time to reach their destinations and check WisDOT’s 511 website. Additionally, motorists are advised to remain alert and plan on exercising patience as they drive through the Green Bay area.

Here is a list of the major roads in northeast Wisconsin most Packers fans will be traveling as they head for the game and the road conditions they should anticipate:

US 41 and WIS 172 Interchange

Motorists should expect heavy congestion and potential long delays at this interchange between 9 a.m. and noon and again between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday afternoon.  Motorists should strongly consider avoiding this interchange area and utilize alternate routes if possible.

US 41

All construction on US 41 will cease on Packer game day, although barrier walls and orange barrels will be present in various locations.


    WIS 29


      I-43


        I-43/WIS 172 Interchange


          WIS 172


            Please note—If you are involved in a crash:

            WisDOT’s Division of State Patrol advises you to immediately call 911 if you are involved in a crash. If there are no injuries and the vehicles can be moved, report the other vehicle plate numbers as you may then be advised to move off the main portion of the roadway to a crash investigation site or to a ramp out of traffic. This will assist first responders in reaching you while helping to clear traffic delays during the critical travel times before and following the game.

            Additionally, if your vehicle becomes disabled in the US 41 work zone between De Pere and Suamico, notify authorities immediately and WisDOT will send a Freeway Service Team vehicle to your location. Motorists can then contact their motor club or towing preference after WisDOT has relocated your vehicle to a more accessible and safe location.

            Travelers should allow extra time and can check online for real-time traffic information, including travel times, lane closures and incidents, at Wisconsin 511 online (www.511wi.gov) or by calling 511 on a phone.

            The Packers take on the New Orleans Saints next week, and then they'll have their bye week.

            CLICK HERE for much more on this week's matchup via the Packers Dope Sheet.