Panthers-Packers could present penalty problems in primetime: Here’s why

The video above is a live stream of WBTV and affiliated programming, and may not be directly related to the article below.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBTV) - Thursday’s primetime game between the Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers could very well present some penalty problems for both teams.

The Week 8 Thursday Night Football matchup pits two of the most-penalized teams in the NFL against each other, with the league’s most flag-happy referee officiating.

Carolina leads the NFL in penalty yards per game with 79.2, while Green Bay is right behind in second with 78.

Green Bay is second in penalties called with 10.4 per game, while Carolina ranks fifth with 9.8 flags per contest.

Referee Scott Novak’s crew was assigned to officiate the game between the two penalty-prone teams. Interestingly, Novak and Co. are throwing nearly 23 flags per game -- two more than any other officiating crew. Those penalties are averaging a whopping 186 yards per game, which is 25 more yards than the next closest crew, and more than 65 yards above the league average.

---> Also Read: Legendary NFL quarterback could be NC State’s next head football coach

Panthers head coach Dave Canales spoke on the penalties after Carolina was docked a franchise-record 149 penalty yards in a Week 6 win over the Eagles.

“We have to clean that up,” Canales said. “We’ve got to do better with our hands in different situations, particularly if you’re not at the point of attack of a play. We’ve got to be smarter. We’ve got to be cleaner.”

If the Panthers don’t play smarter and cleaner, Thursday will have all the ingredients to make for a flag-fest.

Thursday’s game is a big one for both the Panthers and Packers, who are each coming off tough, divisional losses. Carolina was blown out by Tampa Bay, while Green Bay lost on a last-second field goal against Detroit.

Sportsbooks listed the Packers as 3.5-point favorites on Thursday morning. Green Bay was favored by 13.5 when they were upset by Carolina at Lambeau Field in 2025.

Kickoff for Thursday’s game is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. EST on Prime.

Click here for more Panthers coverage