The Green Bay Packers did a poor job of preparing for the postseason in a 24-22 loss to the Chicago Bears where so many things went wrong. The Packers overcame an early deficit to take a late lead but couldn’t hold it. The Bears kicked on a 51-yard field goal on the final play to win the game. The Packers saw both Christian Watson and Jordan Love leave the game early due to injury. The loss dropped the Packers to 11-6 on the season while the Bears finish 5-12 and end their 11-game losing streak to the Packers. Here are 10 things we learned from the Packers 24-22 loss to the Bears in Week 18:
Ten Things We Learned from the Packers Loss to the Bears, Number One: The Packers Lost Two Key Players to Injury
The biggest thing the Packers needed to do was keep everybody healthy. They made a questionable decision to play Watson who had missed the prior two games due to a knee injury. Watson suffered a non-contact injury to the other knee in this game and now his status for the playoffs is up in the air. After the game, Matt LaFleur indicated he was pessimistic about Watson for next week.
Love injured his elbow or hand in the first half and did not return. After the game, LaFleur said Love could have returned, if necessary, against the Bears. Whether he will be at full strength next week or be able to play at all remains up in the air.
The Packers should provide an update on Monday or Tuesday on the severity of the injuries.
Love and Watson are key components of the offense and losing both to injuries was costly for the team both against the Bears and potentially in the playoffs.
Number Two: Matt LaFleur Called a Bad Timeout that Cost the Packers
The Packers had the ball at the Chicago 37, facing 4th-and-3 with 58 seconds left and LaFleur had a decision to make. He could go for it and the game would end if the Packers failed to convert, or he could let Brandon McManus try a 55-yard field goal. Unfortunately, LaFleur called a timeout and then opted for the field goal try.
LaFleur used to timeout to decide what to do. If he knew he would kick, he could have taken another 40 seconds off the clock or forced the Bears to take their final timeout. The timeout was important in the final Chicago drive.
By using the timeout when he did, LaFleur gave the Bears a better chance of driving for the winning field goal, which they did on the final play.
This was poor clock management by LaFleur. He needed to know his choices and make a decision sooner, then manage the clock accordingly. His failure to do so cost the Packers dearly.
Ten Things We Learned from the Packers Loss to the Bears, Number Three: Special Teams Were Fooled Badly
The Bears had minus-four total yards in the first quarter, but they held a 7-3 lead. Why? The Bears embarrassed the Packers punt coverage team with a trick play. The return man faked like they were fielding a punt on one side of the field, but it was fielded by Josh Blackwell on the other wide.
He ran the ball back 94 yards for a touchdown without being touched.
The fact that Rich Bisaccia’s unit was fooled by a playground level play was costly and put the Packers behind early.
A poor snap on a punt was fielded well by punter Daniel Whelan to avoid another special teams disaster later in the game.
Again, sloppy play by the special teams was costly in this loss.
Number Four: Carrington Valentine Came Up with Another Big Play
The game seemed lost as the Bears faced 1st-and-20 at their won 47 with 1:55 left in the game. But cornerback Carrington Valentine made a heads up play to force a fumble by DJ Moore which Javon Bullard recovered. That set up the Packers go-ahead field goal after the Pack failed to pick up a first down.
Valentine has played better in recent weeks. He’s made two interceptions and now came up with this timely forced fumble in the last four games. The Packers will need a big performance from Valentine in the postseason.
Ten Things We Learned from the Packers Loss to the Bears, Number Five: The Running Game Continues to Shine
The Packers running game continued to be productive even though they rested Josh Jacobs in the second half. Jacobs topped 1,300 yards for the season. He also scored a rushing touchdown in his eighth straight game, surpassing Paul Hornung who had seven straight in 1960.
Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks carried the ball in the second half, and both were productive. Wilson gained 73 yards on 14 carries while Brooks gained 59 yards on just eight rushes.
As a team, the Packers gained 183 yards on 33 carries and scored two touchdowns. That is a healthy 5.5-yard average despite not having their starting quarterback.
The end arounds/jet sweeps were not successful in this game, gaining four yards on four carries, three by Jayden Reed and one by Bo Melton.
The running game contributed to the Packers statistical dominance but didn’t result in enough points.
Number Six: The Defense Couldn’t Come Up with the Timely Stop
Statistically, the Packers defense played well. The Bears gained just 224 yards all game and their offense scored just 17 points. One of their touchdown drives started at the Green Bay 21.
But with the game on the line, the defense was unable to stop the Bears. Rookie Caleb Williams directed his first career game-winning drive as the Bears marched 37 yards on six plays to set up the winning field goal.
A costly horse collar tackle penalty on Kingsley Enagbare nullified a sack and gave Chicago a free 15 yards and a first down.
The Bears also converted a 3rd-and-11 from their own 49 to set up the winning field goal.
With the game on the line, the Packers defense couldn’t come up with the big stop.
Ten Things We Learned from the Packers Loss to the Bears, Number Seven: Xavier McKinney Made His 8th Pick of the Season
Safety Xavier McKinney continues to come up with big plays. He made his eighth interception of the season in the third quarter. That gave the Pack the ball at their own 44.
Unfortunately, Malik Willis fumbled on the ensuing drive and the Packers were unable to cash in on the turnover.
McKinney provided the Packers defense with big plays all season. He helped turn the safety position into a strength after it was a weakness in recent seasons. The defense will need more strong play from McKinney in the playoffs.
Number Eight: The Defense Didn’t Get Enough Pressure on the QB
The Packers defense recorded only one sack, and it came early in the game. Rashan Gary recorded the sack. Enagbare had one in the fourth quarter, but it was called back by his penalty.
The Packers recorded just two quarterback hits in the game, one by Gary and one by Edgerrin Cooper.
There were several plays the pass rush got a little pressure on Williams, but they couldn’t get the sack as the mobile quarterback prolonged plays and escaped whatever pressure the Packers had.
In the playoffs, the Packers will need more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Ten Things We Learned from the Packers Loss to the Bears,
Number Nine: The Packers Played Down to the Competition
The intensity level just didn’t seem to be there for the Packers in this game. They seemed to expect to win but didn’t play at a high level to ensure it.
The Packers played down to the competition and let the Bears hang around. A team that had lost 10 games in a row this season and 11 straight to the Packers ended up pulling off the upset.
This was supposed to be a game to get sharp for the playoffs. Instead, it created more doubt about whether this team is good enough to beat elite opponents as we head into the postseason.
Number Ten: The Packers Will Travel to Philadelphia To Open the Playoffs
The Packers had a chance for the sixth seed if they won this football game. Washington nearly lost to Dallas, so the spot seemed there for the taking.
Instead, the Packers will be the seventh seed and will travel to Philadelphia for the first round of the playoffs. They are entering the playoffs with two straight losses and some injury questions regarding Love and Watson.
The Packers will have to reset mentally and prepare for a tough opponent in the Eagles. It’s also a tough venue to play in and the weather could be a factor.
Still, the Packers are in the playoffs, and they have a chance to win some football games. They will have to play a lot better than they did today to get that done.
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