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Packers look to rebound from embarrassing loss

Nov 25, 2008 - 6:40 PM Carolina (8-3) at Green Bay (5-6), 1:00 pm EST

GREEN BAY, Wisconsin (Ticker) -- The Green Bay Packers limped home Monday night wondering what happened to their defense.

The Packers, who have now dropped three of their last four games, look to rebound from a embarrassing defeat when they host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

Green Bay (5-6) surrendered its highest point total in more than 20 years with Monday's 51-29 defeat to the New Orleans Saints. It was the most points the Packers have allowed since a 55-24 loss to the New York Giants in 1986.

Facing little pressure, Drew Brees picked apart the Packers' secondary, completing 20-of-26 passes for 323 yards and four touchdowns.

"One of those days you'd like to forget about," Green Bay cornerback Charles Woodson said.

The Packers wish they could. The loss left them one game behind Chicago (6-5) and Minnesota (6-5) in the NFC North, with another tough test on tap for Sunday.

Carolina (8-3) also had a defensive breakdown in its last game, suffering a 45-28 loss at Atlanta that dropped the Panthers into a tie with Tampa Bay (8-3) atop the NFC South.

The defeat may have ended Carolina's hopes of securing the top seed in the NFC, as it now trails the New York Giants (10-1) by two games.

The Panthers are seeking their first division title since 2005, when they lost to Seattle in the NFC championship game.

"This game is about points, and, unfortunately, we gave up 45 points," Carolina coach John Fox said. "You're not going to win your share giving up 45 points."

Still, Jake Delhomme had his best game since the Panthers' bye in Week Nine, completing 21-of-35 passes for 295 yards and a touchdown after suffering a lacerated right elbow that did not cause him to miss a single play.

The Panthers' biggest concern is a run defense that has surrendered an average of 137 yards in the last three games. Carolina allowed Michael Turner to rush for 117 yards and four touchdowns on 24 carries last week.

With the Panthers having trouble stopping the run, the Packers will try to get Ryan Grant back on track. Grant was not much of a factor against the Saints, rushing for just 67 yards and catching only three passes for 19 yards.

The teams are meeting in Green Bay for the second straight season. The Packers posted a 31-17 victory last year, giving them a 9-1 record en route to a 13-3 finish.