Ending the common season with a loss wasn’t a part of the Inexperienced Bay Packers’ plan. For one, they had been nonetheless in rivalry for a attainable sixth-seed end forward of Week 18. Secondly, they confronted the Chicago Bears at residence, and anybody with even a small ounce of soccer historical past is aware of what that entails.
Sadly for Lambeau Discipline spectators, the Packers misplaced on Sunday, 24-22. Courtesy of a walk-off subject aim, the Bears ended an 11-game shedding streak to their rivals — one which started again in 2019. What’s even worse is how the Packers misplaced two key gamers to accidents. “Key” could be an understatement right here, as a result of considered one of them was Jordan Love. The quarterback harm his throwing elbow within the first half and did not return for the remainder of the sport. Fortunately for Inexperienced Bay, Love wasn’t dominated out. He was seen throwing on the sidelines whereas backup Malik Willis took over underneath heart. Nevertheless, the identical cannot be stated for receiver Christian Watson, who was carted off the sphere after hurting his knee throughout a route run.
The loss formally offers the 11-6 Packers the seventh seed, which means they will face the quantity two seed Philadelphia Eagles within the Wild Playing cards. To be honest, a win would not have modified their placement both method, contemplating how the Washington Commanders additionally got here out victorious on Sunday. Nonetheless, shedding to 1’s archnemesis at residence would not really feel good, so there’s that. Now, it is time to level out what precisely went unsuitable for the Packers through the sport.
The Packers harm themselves with a scarcity of ball safety
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The Packers dedicated 4 fumbles on Sunday. Whereas solely two of them resulted in a lack of possession, each had been nonetheless expensive. One occurred close to the tip of the primary quarter, as Inexperienced Bay trailed 7-3. The Packers had a 1st-and-long at their 27-yard line, they usually determined to make the most of Jayden Reed. Whether or not it was brought on by Jaylon Johnson’s swipe or the deal with by Tremaine Edmunds, Reed misplaced the ball and it was recovered by Bears security Jonathan Owens, who managed to succeed in the Inexperienced Bay 21. Within the ensuing drive, Chicago was in a position to rating a landing to place themselves up double digits.
The opposite turnover occurred within the third quarter when the Packers had been down by only one level. Malik Willis was sacked within the pocket by security Kevin Byard, inflicting the ball to return unfastened. The Bears recovered, ending a drive that also had a number of downs remaining whereas the Packers had been already in Chicago’s 32-yard line. Fortunately for Inexperienced Bay, the following possession ended with the Bears punting. However, giving up the soccer whereas trailing with such a small margin undoubtedly hurts, and may very well be considered as a missed alternative contemplating how shut the Packers had been to the pink zone.
Talking of ball safety (or the dearth of), Willis’ incomplete move for further factors additionally involves thoughts. With 4:28 remaining within the sport, the Packers scored a landing, slicing the lead down two factors. As anticipated, they tried going for a two-point conversion, however the ball slipped from Willis’ hand when he tried to move, leading to an incompletion. With how tight the sport was, one can solely think about what sort of distinction these two factors may have made.
There have been additionally different self-inflicted wounds, corresponding to third-down struggles (3-of-10 on third-down conversions) and falling for a Chicago trick play that resulted in a 94-yard punt return TD. If the Packers wish to pull off an upset through the Wild Playing cards, there is no room for these, particularly contemplating who they will face.