Packers are seventh seed in NFC playoffs as last-second field goal gives Bears a 24-22 victory
GREEN BAY - Matt LaFleur has finally lost to the Chicago Bears.
Cairo Santos’ 51-yard field goal as time expired handed the Packers a 24-22 loss, ensuring Green Bay will be the NFC’s seventh seed. They will travel to the Philadelphia Eagles next week for an NFC wild-card game.
The game-winning kick was set up by the Packers defense gifting the Bears the middle of the field. With no timeouts and 15 seconds left, Caleb Williams connected with receiver DJ Moore for 18 yards. Williams hustled the Bears offense to the line of scrimmage and spiked the ball with 2 seconds left.
Here are some quick takeaways:
Packers offense better hope sloppy play doesn’t carry over into playoffs
The Packers offense didn’t exactly sprint through the tape here. Granted, it didn’t have its starting quarterback much of this game, but the offense was sloppy even with Love on the field. Love’s accuracy was spotty, completing 7 of 12 passes for 69 yards and a 74.7 rating. He was fortunate not to have an interception, targeting tight end Tucker Kraft with a high pass toward the sideline in double coverage. Jayden Reed was not so fortunate in avoiding a turnover, fumbling on a jet sweep late in the first quarter. That gave the Bears a short field and led to their only touchdown on offense. In the second half, backup quarterback Malik Willis fumbled when he didn’t see Bears defensive back Kevin Byard rushing his front side. Byard smashed into Willis, dislodging the football with as hard of a hit as there is in today’s NFL.
Josh Jacobs puts cap on a top-five season for Packers running back in team history
Josh Jacobs’ final play during the 2024 regular season was, fittingly, a touchdown. The Packers tailback concluded one of the five best rushing seasons in franchise history, recording 44 yards and the score on six carries against the Bears before being pulled for rest early in the second quarter. Jacobs finished the season with 1,329 rushing yards, passing Jim Taylor’s 1,307 rushing yards in 1961 for fifth most in Packers history. His 15 rushing touchdowns are tied with Ahman Green (2003) and Taylor (1961) for third most in team history. It’s the most rushing yards a Packers running back has had in a season since Green in 2003. Jacobs finished the season with a rushing touchdown in each of the final eight games, setting the record for longest streak in team history. His 1,671 yards from scrimmage, including 36 catches for 342 yards, are the most for a Packers running back in a season since Green in 2003. More than Ryan Grant, Eddie Lacy or Aaron Jones ever had. Not bad for his first year in Green Bay.
Xavier McKinney puts stamp on his All-Pro season with interception
Quarterbacks have gotten the message not to throw near Packers safety Xavier McKinney anymore, but Keenan Allen isn’t a quarterback. The Bears receiver showed that in the second half, tossing a lollipop to McKinney near the sideline on a trick play. McKinney picked it off for his eighth interception this season, snapping a five-game drought without a takeaway. He finished at least one interception shy of Detroit safety Kerby Joseph for most in the NFL, a lead Joseph might increase Sunday night against the Minnesota Vikings. McKinney’s impact in his first season with the Packers is well documented, but here’s some perspective. His eight interceptions are not only most on the defense. Nobody else has more than two.
Packers pass rush can’t capitalize against rookie quarterback and Bears’ poor protection
Against the most sacked quarterback in the NFL, the Packers pass rush that appeared to be resurgent late in the season had one last opportunity to tune up for the playoffs. It instead came up mostly empty against Williams, a letdown that ultimately cost them the game. The Packers sacked Williams only once. After mishandling the Bears first snap, Pro Bowl defensive end Rashan Gary reached Williams off the edge. Gary finished the season with 7.5 sacks, but that was it for the Packers pass rush. The Packers never hit the rookie quarterback after that first play. Rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper had a chance to reach Williams in the second half, but he flew past Williams instead. The Packers will need more pressure on the quarterback next week.
Bears special teams get some retribution against Packers on trick punt return for touchdown
It didn’t make up for the blocked field goal that beat the Bears in Chicago earlier this season, but the Bears got a little retribution against the Packers special teams inside Lambeau Field. In the first quarter, Packers punter Daniel Whelan pinned the Bears inside the 5-yard line. Only problem was Whelan’s punt sailed to the left corner. The Packers punt coverage flowed to the other side of the field. The Bears baited the Packers coverage into taking the wrong side, sliding all their blockers to the right. When defensive back Josh Blackwell dropped to the left corner to field Whelan’s punt, he was all alone. Blackwell returned the punt 94 yards for a touchdown, giving the Bears an opening 7-0 lead. Ultimately, it’s the type of play the Packers would prefer to happen in Week 18, not with their season on the line in the playoffs. But special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia’s crew will have something to work on this week.
(This story was updated to add a video)