An NFC playoff berth seems further out of reach for the Green Bay Packers after a disappointing 35-31 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field.
Carolina running back DeAngelo Williams scored four touchdowns, all on 1-yard runs. The last one was the game-winner, coming with 1 minutes left in the game.
The Packers fell to 5-7, alone in third place in the NFC North Division after their fourth loss in five November games.
NFC North co-leaders Chicago and Minnesota, both 6-5, play Sunday night at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. The North likely will send only its champion to the playoffs.
We have been way too inconsistent, definitely underachieving at times, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. The inconsistency is the biggest disappointment.
Carolina (9-3) is tied with Tampa Bay for first place in the NFC South. The Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 23-20 on Sunday.
The Packers' last shot at victory ended when Carolina linebacker Jon Beason intercepted a Rodgers pass with 1 minute, 9 seconds left. Carolina went three-and-out, so Green Bay got one last play with 2 seconds left, but wide receiver Greg Jennings juggled and dropped Rodgers' short pass over the middle.
Mark Jones set up the winning score with a 45-yard kickoff return, the last of several long returns by the Panthers against the Packers' special teams.
On the next play, Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme hit wide receiver Steve Smith on a 54-yard bomb, putting the ball on the Packers 1-yard line.
It shouldnt have been a catch, said Packers safety Charles Woodson, who was covering Smith on the play. I take full responsibility. Like I said, I would take myself 100 percent of time to be in that position, with the ball in the air, being able to go get the ball. I didnt make it happen.
Mason Crosby drilled a 19-yard yard field goal into the snow, putting the Packers ahead 31-28 on the first play after the 2-minute warning. It capped a 16-play, 79-yard drive that took 9:13 off the clock. [url=index.php?name=Pro_News&aid=97]Read More...[/url].