The Green Bay Packers ended their regular season with a narrow 24-22 loss to the Chicago Bears, but the bigger story was the injuries sustained by quarterback Jordan Love and wide receiver Christian Watson. With the playoffs looming, the Packers face significant uncertainty as they prepare to meet the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card round.
Last-minute heartbreak: Bears snap 10-game losing streak
In a dramatic conclusion at Lambeau Field, the Chicago Bears ended a 10-game losing streak with a last-second field goal from Cairo Santos. The 51-yard kick sailed just inside the upright as time expired, delivering a much-needed win for Chicago and leaving Green Bay with the NFC’s No. 7 seed.
The Packers initially took the lead with 54 seconds remaining after Brandon McManus nailed a 55-yard field goal. However, Chicago’s offense responded swiftly, covering 47 yards to set up Santos’ game-winning kick. The Bears, who finish their season at 5-12, celebrated a morale-boosting victory to end their campaign, while the Packers fell to 11-6 heading into postseason play.
Injury setbacks: Jordan Love and Christian Watson exit early
The Packers’ playoff hopes took a hit as two of their offensive stars left the game with injuries in the first half. Quarterback Jordan Love suffered an elbow injury after being hit during a second-quarter play. Despite being listed as questionable, Love did not return to the game, with backup Malik Willis stepping in. Love later explained that he experienced numbness in his throwing hand, saying, “I pretty much just went numb. … They said it should [go away], but I’m not sure when.” Head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Love was held out as a precaution, adding, “He could’ve gone back in.”
Wide receiver Christian Watson, meanwhile, suffered a non-contact knee injury while running a route earlier in the same quarter. Watson, the team’s top deep threat, was carted off the field and ruled out by halftime. LaFleur expressed doubt about Watson’s availability for the playoffs, stating, “I’m not super confident about that right now.” Watson’s injury adds to concerns for Green Bay’s receiving corps, as he had already missed time earlier in the season due to a knee issue.
Watson entered the game as the Packers’ third-leading receiver, with 29 catches for 620 yards and two touchdowns. His absence would leave a void in Green Bay’s offense, particularly in terms of explosive plays downfield. The injury was described as “tough” by Love, who added, “It’s really tough, especially Christian trying to bounce back from what he’s been dealing with.”
Playoff implications: Packers face uphill battle
Despite the loss, the Packers remain in the playoff picture as the NFC’s No. 7 seed. They will travel to Philadelphia to face the second-seeded Eagles in the wild-card round next weekend. With questions surrounding Love’s health and Watson’s availability, Green Bay’s offense could face significant challenges against one of the league’s top defenses.
The Packers’ decision to play their starters in Week 18—despite already securing a playoff berth—has come under scrutiny. While LaFleur justified the move, citing the team’s desire to improve its seeding, injuries to key players like Watson have raised concerns. LaFleur acknowledged that receiver Romeo Doubs’ late illness influenced the decision to play Watson, saying, “Yeah, that had a lot to do with it.”
A struggling division record
Green Bay’s loss to Chicago also highlighted their struggles within the NFC North this season. The Packers finished with a disappointing 1-5 record in divisional matchups, raising questions about their ability to compete against familiar opponents. While the postseason offers a fresh start, the team’s recent performance has raised red flags as they enter the playoffs on a two-game losing streak.
Looking ahead: Can Green Bay rebound?
As Green Bay prepares for its postseason clash with the Eagles, all eyes will be on the injury reports for Love and Watson. While Love remains optimistic about his chances of playing, Watson’s status appears far more uncertain. The team will need to rely on its depth at wide receiver, with players like Jayden Reed and Dontayv ion Wicks likely stepping up in Watson’s absence. Backup quarterback Malik Willis, who performed admirably in relief, completing 10-of-13 passes for 136 yards, may also need to stay ready if Love’s condition does not improve as expected.
Head coach Matt LaFleur faces the challenge of rallying his team amid adversity. “It’s kind of the mindset of, it’s a new season,” Love said after the game. “We’re going into the playoffs. We’ve got to flush the season and have a clean slate.” While the playoffs represent a fresh opportunity, the team will need to overcome both physical and mental hurdles to make a deep postseason run.
With the Eagles boasting one of the league’s most balanced rosters, the Packers will need all hands on deck to compete. Green Bay’s defense, led by standout performers like Rashan Gary, will also need to step up to counter Philadelphia’s high-powered offense. Packers fans will be holding their breath as updates on Love and Watson emerge in the coming days, knowing that their team’s playoff success hangs in the balance.
