With the playoffs coming up, the Green Bay Packers know they have to win Saturday in Chicago or see their season end. The team has been struggling and ended the 2025 campaign on a four-game losing streak. One reason for the slump has been injuries on both sides of the ball. After resting players last weekend, the Packers should be getting some important players back in the lineup against the Bears. Getting these three players back in the lineup will be critical for the Packers offense in the playoffs.

Getting These Players Back in the Lineup Will Be Critical for the Packers Offense, Number Three: RB Josh Jacobs

Last season, the Packers offense ran through Josh Jacobs. This season, the run blocking fell off but Jacobs continued to make yards after contact. In the second half of the season, Jacobs was slowed by a knee injury that caused pain and swelling. It also limited his effectiveness.

While Jacobs only missed one full game, he has been limited in several others. The most glaring example came in Week 17 against the Ravens when Jacobs carried just four times for three yards. His long gain was one yard, and he was stopped on a critical 4th-and-1 play.

Head coach Matt LaFleur wisely decided to hold Jacobs out of the regular season finale in Minnesota. Jacobs did not appear on the Packers injury report this week. The Packers expect him to be ready to play Saturday night in Chicago.

Having a healthier Jacobs would provide the Packers with a catalyst for the running game. If the Packers can run the ball effectively, they can move the ball more consistently. That will also allow the defense to be more rested.

Jacobs remains one of the Packers best red-zone weapons. He ran for 13 touchdowns in 15 games this season and caught one touchdown pass. Getting him back helps improve the red zone offense which has struggled while he was injured.

Number Two: OT Zach Tom

Right tackle Zach Tom missed the last three games with a combination of back and knee injuries. Tom remains the Packers highest graded offensive lineman according to Pro Football Focus. Not having Tom in the lineup reduces the team’s pass protection and their run blocking. Tom is by far the team’s best run blocking offensive lineman and getting him back in the lineup would have a big impact on the offense.

Tom deserves credit for playing through multiple injuries this season. He played 12 games in total although he played only one snap in one of them.

The Packers listed Tom as a limited participant in practice on Tuesday and Wednesday. LaFleur indicated he expects Tom to start against the Bears barring any significant setbacks.

Having Tom in the lineup would be a major boost for the Green Bay offense, both in the passing game and the running game.

Getting These Players Back in the Lineup Will Be Critical for the Packers Offense, Number One: QB Jordan Love

Jordan Love suffered a concussion on a head shot in the rematch against the Bears on December 20th. Love remained in concussion protocol the following week and could not play against the Ravens. The Packers decided to hold him out of the season finale against the Vikings although he had cleared concussion protocol.

Love has returned to practice and is not even listed on the Packers injury report. Getting him back in the lineup gives the offense a huge boost. We saw exactly what happened when third-string quarterback Clayton Tune played. The team was unable to move the ball through the air and finished the Vikings game with negative net passing yards for the first time since 1976.

Love has been among the top-rated quarterbacks in the league this season with a quarterback rating of 101.2.

With backup quarterback Malik Willis still dealing with injuries to his hamstring and this throwing shoulder, getting Love back becomes even more important.

Love gives the Packers a chance to win the game Saturday night. He has never lost to the Bears in a game he both started and finished during his NFL career.

Getting these three key players back will give the Packers offense a boost when they need it most. Now we’ll see if it’s enough to earn them a victory against their division rivals.

 

 

 

 

 

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