The Green Bay Packers lost their final regular season game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, losing two key players to injuries.
Chicago scored a walk-off field goal in the final minute of the game at Lambeau Field to win 24-22, ending a losing streak at 10 in the season’s final game and securing Green Bay the No. 7 seed. play off.
The Packers finished the game without quarterback Jordan Love and wide receiver Christian Watson, who were injured in the first half. Love appears to have avoided any serious injury heading into next Sunday’s Wild Card playoff round against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Bears win after wild finish
Chicago jumped out to an early 14-3 lead and led 21-19 late in the fourth quarter as time expired. But with 1:52 remaining, DJ Moore fumbled a screen pass and the Packers came back.
Green Bay then drove for Brandon McManus to attempt a go-ahead field goal with 54 seconds left. McManus’ line drive from 55 yards narrowly went over the crossbar, giving Green Bay a 22-21 lead.
The Bears answered. On the ensuing possession, they drove 47 yards, setting up Cairo Santos for the game-winning field goal as time expired. Santos’ 51-yard kick sailed over the crossbar just inside the left upright, securing Chicago’s victory.
The Bears defeated their district rival, ending their losing streak at 10, and finished the season with a record of 5 wins and 12 losses. The Packers are 11-6, clinching the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs and will play the Eagles next Sunday.
The Washington Commanders defeated the Packers and defeated the Dallas Cowboys to claim the No. 6 seed.
Packers get seriously injured
Love injured his elbow in the first half and was replaced by backup Malik Willis. Love remained on the sideline for Green Bay’s next possession, and the Packers listed him as questionable to return. Wills remained in the game despite the Packers’ inability to fight back from a 14-3 deficit. Love warmed up and threw the ball down the sideline in the second half, but did not reenter the game.
Watson left in the first half with a non-contact knee injury. He was dragged off the field and sent off from the game at halftime.
The Packers entered Sunday already clinching a playoff spot. But they played with their starters because they had a chance to move up in seeding before Washington’s win ensured their promotion to the No. 6 seed.
After the game, head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters that Love could have returned but was held out as a precaution.
Love told reporters he lost feeling in his throwing hand and didn’t feel 100% at the end of the game. When asked if he was happy with how he’s playing against the Eagles next week, he said, “Yes.”
The outlook for Watson’s health was not encouraging.
“I’m not sure about that right now,” LaFleur said of Watson’s situation.
Ai injured his elbow in the blow
Love was injured on a first-and-eleven play with the Packers trailing 14-3 in the second quarter. He faced pressure in the pocket and threw the ball away to running back Josh Jacobs when he was hit. After hitting the ball, Love stood up with a trembling right hand. He pointed to his hand and an athletic trainer headed onto the field to examine the injury.
Love then left the field and was replaced by Willis on Green Bay’s next play. Trainers continued to evaluate Love on the sideline until the Packers announced an elbow injury.
Love did not return to the field as Willis continued to lead Green Bay’s offense until the end of the game.
Watson was injured before Love. He fell on untouched grass while running a route and immediately grabbed his right knee in pain.
Trainers tended to Watson on the field, but Watson eventually left in the back of a cart with his head in his hands.
Watson is Green Bay’s top deep threat and the Packers’ third top receiver. He entered Sunday with 29 catches for 620 yards (21.4 yards per reception) and two touchdowns.
The Packers will open the playoffs next week against the Eagles. It seems likely that they will do so without Watson and without any questions about the health of their starting quarterback.
