Green Bay Loses Regular-Season Finale to Chicago
The Green Bay Packers couldn’t escape with a win against the Chicago Bears this time. In their last meeting, the Packers were saved by a blocked game-winning field goal, but this time, they failed to replicate the miracle. Cairo Santos kicked a walk-off 51-yard field goal, helping Chicago snap their 10-game losing streak against Green Bay. With the Commanders securing a last-minute win over the Cowboys, the Packers are locked into the seventh seed, and a win against the Bears would not have changed anything, except maybe restored some dignity. While winning or losing didn’t affect their playoff position at the end of the day, losing to the Bears is still below the standard. Here are the key takeaways from the final game before the playoffs.
Brandon McManus is Clutch
Brandon McManus has proven to be clutch for the Green Bay Packers. The veteran kicker almost had another game-winner in the books, had Matt LaFleur not called a timeout with 58 seconds left, giving the Bears a chance to finish the job in the final moments. It wasn’t just any high-pressure field goal though, it was a 55-yarder that McManus made, showing he still has both the leg and the accuracy. It feels like eons ago that the Packers had the most frustrating kicking competition. Rookie Brayden Narveson now seems like a distant nightmare, and McManus has effectively healed all those growing pains.
He finished the regular season with 20 out of 21 field goals, which is second-best in franchise history. He also made every extra point, which might seem like a small feat, but in Green Bay, it’s a godsend. Gone are the days when Packers fans would flinch at the thought of the kicking team taking the field. What was once a headache position has now become one of the most reliable spots on the roster. With McManus, the Packers finally have a kicker they can trust without hesitation.
The Running Game Finished Strong
Josh Jacobs has truly earned every penny this season. He clocked out early, resting up for the playoffs, but not before cementing his place in franchise history. Jacobs ran for a touchdown in his eighth straight game, surpassing the legendary Paul Hornung. He became only the fourth player in Packers history to hit 1,300 rushing yards and the fourth to score at least 15 rushing touchdowns. Jacobs has solidified himself as a key cornerstone for both the running back room and the Packers offense.
Emanuel Wilson also got in on the action, rushing for a 21-yard touchdown that helped keep the team in the game. As a backup, he finished the season with over 500 rushing yards and four touchdowns. The entire offense should be proud of their performance, as they totaled 2,496 rushing yards this season, the second-highest total in franchise history, just behind the 2003 season. The Packers have had their ups and downs in a lot of areas this year, but their running game has been consistently effective.
The Packers Caught the Injury Bug
Earlier this week, Jaire Alexander was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury, which is a big hit to their secondary. Then, in today's game, starting quarterback Jordan Love injured his elbow and lost feeling in his throwing arm. He didn’t return, but it was a precautionary move in the fourth quarter, and the good news is he’s expected to be ready for the playoffs. Wide receiver Christian Watson also went down with a non-contact injury to his right knee and had to be carted off. His chances of making the Eagles game are not looking too good. On a brighter note, Romeo Doubs only missed today’s game due to illness and is expected to be back for the Eagles matchup. Every team typically faces injuries, but it's all about which teams can rise above the uncontrollable adversity.
To put this loss into perspective, the Packers allowed the Bears to not only defeat them for the first time since 2018 but also for the first time at Lambeau Field since 2015, the same year everyone was doing the whip and nae nae. The way this messy game unfolded is not how the Packers wanted to close out the regular season, leaving a bitter taste for all the fans in green and gold. It wasn’t the level of play they hoped to take into the postseason, but it is what it is. With Washington’s win, Green Bay is now set to face Philadelphia in the first round of the playoffs as heavy underdogs, with no margin for error.
