It has been a tough week for the Carolina Panthers as they try to shake off a serious beatdown by the Buccaneers. Meanwhile, the Green Bay Packers are trying to find good news for their offensive line. These teams meet on Thursday Night Football, and here are bold predictions for the Week 8 contest.

The Packers suffered a tough and controversial loss to the Lions. That pushed them to 4-3 and into last place in the NFC North. Meanwhile, the Panthers are 3-3. And despite the loss to the Buccaneers, the Panthers remain in first place in the weaker NFC South.

Let’s take a look at what to expect for the mid-week contest.

Josh Jacobs will soar for 80-plus yards rushing and 2 TDs

Let’s face it, the Panthers can’t stop the run. They’re the worst in the NFL at defending ground games. But … the Packers can’t run the ball. They’re the worst in the NFL with only 59.9 yards rushing per game. So something has to give, right?

Jacobs didn’t look great in his return to the field in Week 7. He carried 11 times for only 36 yards. And despite catching five passes for 55 yards, he dropped a TD pass in the fourth quarter that probably cost his team the game. But look for Jacobs to bounce back and break loose against the Panthers.

One thing that works in Jacobs’ favor is his accountability for the drop and his determination to make amends, according to a post on X by Ryan Wood.

“I apologized to the guys,” Jacobs said. “I’m like, from my standard, I like myself 10 out of 10. That’s a play I gotta make. I said, ‘If you want to blame anybody, put it on me.’

“I was so open, it felt like everything was going in slow motion. I was waiting for the ball, waiting for the ball. It’s just a play I gotta make. That’s on me.”

The Packers may have to be a little more patient against the Panthers, as they actually defend the passing game pretty well. That means head coach Matt LaFleur will likely have more carries for Jacobs, giving him a chance for him to help the Packers shake off some of their running woes.

Panthers QB Bryce Young will bounce back from abysmal effort

The Panthers still have the NFL’s No. 2 passing attack despite getting slammed by the Buccaneers. Young had thrown for 281 yards or more in every game before the 163-yard stinker.

One concern is Young’s completion percentage, which sits at 59.2 for the season. But the Panthers are going to throw the football anyway. One thing he must avoid is miscues, according to The Charlotte Observer.

“Obviously can’t turn the ball over like that,” said Young, who had two interceptions and a strip-sack that the Bucs scooped and scored from 32 yards out in the second quarter to make the score 17-0. “It hurts the team. Hurts the defense. All that stuff. A lot of that stuff’s inexcusable. Of course, that’s on me.”

It would help Young’s cause if the offensive line could give him a little more room to operate.

“I can’t tell you exactly the downfall, of where the protection and where that happened, but they had a great plan,” Canales said. “They got pressure today like we haven’t really seen. We’ve got to look at that and try to see what other teams may try to emulate.

“I know Bryce. I just talked to him. He’s ready to rock. He’s ready to move on from this one and get back to good football.”

Look for 250-plus yards and two scoring passes from Young.

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Packers TE Tucker Kraft will set season high in yardage

The Packers haven’t been able to shake Kraft loose for a big game. He hit for 65 yards in the opener and 64 against the Bears. Look for the Panthers to play a lot of two-high safety looks, trying to take away from Jordan Love’s deep-ball fascination. That should open things up for Kraft.

Despite the tough loss in Week 7, Kraft said he and the Packers are still ready to rock, according to a post on X by Vince Lovergine.

“We know what we're made of,” Kraft said. “We got to keep our head down and keep going. That's the only thing we can do. The season is still young. We're going to put it together. We're going to get on another streak.”

Bold game prediction: Packers 28, Panthers 24

The Packers will eschew at least one field goal attempt and turn it into a touchdown drive. That will be the difference in the game.