Packers Beat Panthers 27-19 on TNF as Love Throws Three TDs and Watson Returns From Hospital

The Green Bay Packers beat the Carolina Panthers 27-19 at Lambeau Field on Thursday Night Football to open Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season. The game started at 8.15am on Friday 30 October, Malaysia time. Jordan Love threw three touchdown passes. Christian Watson caught eight passes for 113 yards, even though he had left the stadium in an ambulance during the first half. Green Bay are now 5-3 and Carolina 3-4.

Love sharp, Watson returns from hospital

Love completed 30 of 41 passes for 288 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception. He went 17 of 20 in the first half, and NFL.com noted that all three incompletions were dropped passes. His touchdown passes went to Tucker Kraft from 12 yards, Matthew Golden from 24 and Josh Jacobs from 4. Jacobs also ran in a 1-yard score.

Watson was the main storyline. His long catch with Green Bay behind 10-6 set up a key play in the game. He also collided with Panthers cornerback Will Lee III and stayed down. With 9:11 left in the first half he was taken to a local hospital as a precaution with a chest injury. Doctors cleared him, and NBC Sports reported that he rode back to Lambeau in the ambulance's passenger seat and returned to the game. Lee left with a hamstring injury.

Carolina's late push falls short

The Panthers recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff and led 10-6. Green Bay then scored 21 points in a row to lead 27-10 in the third quarter. Carolina outgained the Packers 109-32 in the fourth quarter. Bryce Young threw a 26-yard touchdown to Jalen Coker at the end of a 70-yard drive, but the comeback stopped there.

With 2:41 left, Young threw incomplete on fourth-and-5 at midfield. Watson then caught a 7-yard pass on third-and-2 so the Packers could run down the clock. Rookie Dani Dennis-Sutton sacked Young with four seconds left to finish it. Young went 23 of 41 for 209 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He was sacked six times and hit nine times. Chuba Hubbard ran 22 times for 81 yards and a touchdown.

Green Bay turned the ball over three times but gave up only a field goal from those turnovers. Even after the win, NFL.com noted the Packers are still bottom of the NFC North.

Rest of Week 8 in Malaysia time

US daylight saving time ends on Sunday 1 November, so the East Coast is now 13 hours behind Malaysia. Sunday's games in Malaysia time:

• 2am Monday 2 November: Ravens at Bills, Titans at Bengals, Cardinals at Cowboys, Vikings at Lions, Raiders at Jets, Browns at Steelers, Falcons at Buccaneers, Colts at Jaguars
• 5.05am Monday: Chargers at Rams
• 5.25am Monday: Chiefs at Broncos, Patriots at Dolphins
• 9.20am Monday: Eagles at Commanders (Sunday Night Football)
• 9.15am Tuesday 3 November: Bears at Seahawks (Monday Night Football)

The Saints, Giants, 49ers and Texans have byes.

Next up for Packers and Panthers

Both teams play on Sunday 8 November in Week 9. Green Bay travel to New England, and Carolina host Denver.

Key takeaways

• The Packers beat the Panthers 27-19 and are now 5-3. Carolina drop to 3-4.
• Jordan Love threw for 288 yards and three touchdowns. Josh Jacobs scored twice.
• Christian Watson went to hospital with a chest injury, came back and finished with 113 receiving yards.
• Bryce Young was sacked six times. Carolina's fourth-quarter fightback ended on a failed fourth down.
• Sunday's Week 8 early games start at 2am Monday, Malaysia time.

FAQ

Q: What happened to Christian Watson on Thursday night? A: He hurt his chest in a collision and was taken to hospital as a precaution. Doctors cleared him and he came back to the game, finishing with eight catches for 113 yards.

Q: What time is Sunday Night Football in Malaysia this week? A: Eagles at Commanders starts at 8.20pm US Eastern time on Sunday 1 November, which is 9.20am on Monday 2 November in Malaysia.

Q: Who do the Packers play next? A: Green Bay play at the New England Patriots on Sunday 8 November in Week 9.

Sources: NFL.com, NBC Sports, ESPN