Special teams once again ruin what should have been a magical night for the Packers under nearly impossible circumstances
Packers lose to the Bears at Soldier Field without most of their top players.
The Green Bay Packers were as close as you possibly can from an impossible win over the Chicago Bears due to the circumstances, but special teams had to be on the way once again. The Bears recovered an onside kick with two minutes left and managed to get a big comeback victory, getting closer to their first NFC North division title since 2018.
For the Packers, the loss hurts more because the Packers will have to regroup not knowing if Jordan Love will be ready to play next week — he left the game in the second quarter with a concussion — and that game is huge for playoff purposes.
Special teams again
We can’t even blame Rich Bisaccia this time around, but the special teams had to kill what would have been a magical win for the Packers. Romeo Doubs failed to catch an onside kick, and the Bears recovered it with two minutes left to go in the fourth quarter, tying the game at 16-16 and taking what should’ve been a finished game to overtime. At that point, the momentum was obviously entire on the Bears’ side, and they made the Packers pay for it.
Red-zone struggles
The Packers moved the ball pretty well for the majority of the game, whether it was with Jordan Love or Malik Willis at quarterback. The red-zone efficiency was awful for the second consecutive game, though, with several costly decisions and mistakes.
The Packers got four consecutive trips to the red zone through three quarters ending up with six total points — which seems impossible.
The offense had a turnover on downs on the first drive with a questionable fourth-down call — it needed one Yard, but Chris Brooks was on the field instead of Josh Jacobs, indicating a pass, and Matt LaFleur in fact called one.
Then, the Packers got to the five-yard line and ended up with a field goal. Another trip inside the 10-yard line, on Malik Willis’ first drive in the game, and another field goal. To start the second half, the Packers advanced to the three-yard line, but Jacobs fumbled.
Curiously enough, the first touchdown of the night happened when the Packers weren’t even in the red zone whatsoever — a 33-yard bomb from Malik Willis to Romeo Doubs.
Malik Willis deserves respect
Yes, Jordan Love’s concussion is a big reason for concern, and we’re gonna talk about it later. But you can’t ask much more from your backup quarterback than what the Packers have gotten from Malik Willis.
He entered the game with extreme calm and composure, leading an improved run offense due to the math difference he imposes, and with consistent presence in the passing game as well — even if the passing ceiling is obviously lower than Love’s.
Malik Willis will probably get a big deal in free agency and at least an opportunity to compete for a starting job. But that’s a problem for March. Right now, the Packers are extremely lucky to have Willis on the roster — especially considering how insignificant was the draft capital spent to acquire him from the Tennessee Titans a year ago.
The nightmare continues
The Packers can’t stop losing their best players. On Saturday night, it was Jordan Love, diagnosed with a concussion after suffering a huge blow to the head during the second quarter of the game. Love went to the blue tent, to the locker room, and was eventually ruled out with a concussion during halftime.
Love’s concussion is also a big concern for next week. He will most likely miss the entire week of practice, and his availability to face the Baltimore Ravens next Saturday is very much in doubt.
Green Bay Packers News
Jordan Love has a scary moment at the worst possible time as the Packers cannot afford to lose more key players
Packers quarterback Jordan Love was evaluated for a possible concussion.
