Panthers preview: Dec. 19 at Green Bay Packers

Game: Carolina Panthers (4-9) at Green Bay Packers (10-3), 8:15 p.m.

TV: NFL Network (Mike Tirico play-by-play, Kurt Warner color analyst, Melissa Stark sideline reporter)

RADIO: WBT-AM 1110/WBT-FM 99.3 in Charlotte is flagship station (Mick Mixon play-by-play, Kurt Coleman and Jim Szoke color analysts, Kristen Balboni sideline reporter)

THE SERIES: Green Bay leads series 10-5. That includes five Packers’ wins in seven games at Lambeau Field, among them a 30-13 victory for the 1996 NFC championship victory in the first meeting between the teams.

RANKINGS AMONG NFL (Through week 14): Carolina offense – 19th overall, 20th rushing, 15th passing. Carolina defense – 21st overall, 15th rushing, 22nd passing. Green Bay offense – 2nd overall, 10th rushing, 2nd passing. Green Bay defense – 8th overall, 12th rushing, 12th passing.

BY THE NUMBERS: 11 – The number of three-and-outs for the Carolina Panthers’ offense this season, which is lowest among the 32 NFL teams.

NOTABLE: Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey is expected to play to miss his fifth straight game and 11th game of the season. An ankle sprain cost him six games earlier in the season and a shoulder and thigh injuries have cost him the last five games….
After 4-9, the Panthers are assured of the 16th losing season – and third straight – in the franchise’s 26 year-history….
First-year coach Matt Rhule’s head coaching history includes slow starts followed by success. His first team at Temple in 2013 went 2-10 before going 6-6, 10-4 and 10-3 in his next three seasons. His first team at Baylor in 2017 went 1-11 before going 7-6 and 11-3 in his next two seasons….
Jeremy Chinn has twice been named NFL defensive rookie of the month and is barreling towards winning the NFL Defensive rookie of the year. He leads NFL rookies in tackles (94) and defensive touchdowns (2), is tied for first in fumble recoveries (2), third in snaps played (770), tied for fourth in fumbles caused (2) and tied for sixth in pass break-ups (5) and pass interceptions (1)….
Wide receiver Robby Anderson has set a new career high for receiving yardage and is four yards shy of a 1,000-yard season. Anderson’s previous career-best was 941 for the New York Jets in 2017….
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who had a career-best 14 straight completions in last week’s 32-27 loss to Denver, is second in the NFL in completion percentage at 70.7 percent. New Orleans’ Drew Brees leads the league at 73.5 percent….
Three Packers have Carolinas connections – Wide receiver Seth Roberts played in seven games (one start) for the Panthers earlier this season before being released and picked up by Green Bay, defensive back Jaire Alexander played at Charlotte’s Rocky River High School and defensive tackle Anthony Rush played at Cary High School.