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Green Bay vs. Carolina
12/14/97 - Packers Win 31-10
Coupling their best statistical performance of the season offensively with a relentless, stifling defense, the Packers dominated play from start to finish in turning back the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte Sunday.
The statistics themselves eloquently tell the story. The Packers rolled up
a season-high 458 yards to the Panthers' 172 and amassing 26 first downs to
Carolina's 9.
In the process, the Green and Gold rushed for 218 yards, their second-highest such total of the season, a major factor in their emerging with a huge advantage in time of possession, 37 minutes, 44 seconds, to 22 minutes, 16 seconds for the Carolinians.
Quarterback Brett Favre complemented the ground assault -- keyed in the first three quarters by the runaway Dorsey Levens -- with 73 yards in 17 attempts, by completing 18 of 34 passes for 256 yards and 3 touchdowns, with one interception.
On the other side of the football, Coordinator Fritz Shurmur's defenders put heavy pressure on Carolina quarterback Kerry Collins, sacking him three times for 24 yards in losses and requiring him to settle for only 7 completions in 26 passing attempts, linebacker Brian Williams, cornerback Doug Evans and strong safety LeRoy Butler posting the sacks.
The Panthers' talented young running back, Fred Lane, did manage to forge a
100-yard rushing performance, gaining 119 yards in 19 attempts, but most of
his yards came late in the third quarter and early in the fourth, when the
Packers had the game well in hand.
Favre got the Green and Gold on the board early, hitting split end Antonio Freeman in the open down the right sideline midway through the first quarter. Freeman cruised into the end zone, completing a 58-yard collaboration.
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Packers Radio Network with the call!
Favre to Freeman for a 58-yard TD |
In the final minute of the opening period, Favre sent the Packers up 14-0 with a 20-yard strike to flanker Robert Brooks, who snared the football between two defenders at the goal line and bulled into the end zone.
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Packers Radio Network with the call!
Favre to Brooks for a 20-yard TD |
Rookie placekicker Ryan Longwell later kicked a 31-yard field goal with 1:23 remaining in the second quarter to give the Packers a 17-3 halftime lead, John Kasay having booted a 43-yard field goal for the Panthers midway through the second quarter to provide their only points of the first half.
Favre padded the Packers' advantage to 24-3 half way through the third quarter, drilling a 6-yard bullseye to Freeman for the score.
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Packers Radio Network with the call!
Freeman's second TD grab of the day |
One exchange after Lane broke off right tackle on a 35-yard scoring run for the Panthers' touchdown, the Packers proceeded to put the game decisively away with an 8-play, 79-yard drive featuring Aaron Hayden, stepping in for Levens, who had been asked by Head Coach Mike Holmgren to call it a day with an eye to the imminent playoffs. Hayden rushed for 48 yards en route, in 7 attempts, bolting around right end for 6 yards and the score on his seventh and final carry of the drive.
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Packers Radio Network with the call!
Hayden finishes the Packers' scoring |
The former Chargers running back went on to close out the game as the Packers' leading rusher with 86 yards in 14 attempts.
Freeman, meanwhile, amassed a season-high 166 receiving yards with 10 catches, the latter total tying his career single-game high, established against the Bears at Chicago December 1, 1996.
Scoring Summary
- 1st Quarter
- GBP: 58 yard TD pass; Favre to Freeman (Longwell kick) (7:38)
- GBP: 20 yard TD pass; Favre to Brooks (Longwell kick) (0:26)
- 2nd Quarter
- CAR: 43 yard Kasay FG (8:05)
- GBP: 31 yard Longwell FG (1:25)
- 3rd Quarter
- GBP: 6 yard TD pass; Favre to Freeman (Longwell kick) (7:50)
- 4th Quarter
- CAR: 35 yard Lane run (Kasay kick) (14:16)
- GBP: 4 yard Hayden run (Longwell kick) (4:06)
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