Panthers beat Packers 16-13 as Dowdle rushes for 130 and late FG

Rico Dowdle rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns and Ryan Fitzgerald drilled a 49-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Carolina Panthers to a 16-13 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at Lambeau Field. The win snapped Green Bay's three-game streak and moved Carolina back over .500.

Dowdle carried 25 times and scored on short runs in the second and third quarters, giving the Panthers a 13-6 lead late in the third. After the second touchdown, Dowdle and teammates enacted a staged celebration that referenced a well-known comedy sketch. Officials flagged the celebration as unsportsmanlike conduct, backing the extra point attempt 15 yards; Fitzgerald's ensuing kick was short. The penalty left Carolina with a three-point margin rather than four, a factor that would make Fitzgerald's final kick essential.

Green Bay answered late when Josh Jacobs plunged in from two yards out and kicker Brandon McManus converted the extra point with 2:01 remaining to tie the game. Carolina regained possession and Dowdle's 19-yard run from midfield on second-and-10 positioned Fitzgerald for the game-winner as time expired.

Packers quarterback Jordan Love finished 26 of 37 for 273 yards...