GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers are aware of their ability to achieve a surprise playoff victory as a No. 7 seed, having accomplished just that in Dallas last season. However, the current team finds itself lacking the momentum that propelled them into the postseason last year. Unlike the prior year, where they entered the playoffs with a three-game winning streak, the Packers (11-6) are heading into this playoff run having suffered two consecutive losses.
“I’m not worried,” remarked left guard Elgton Jenkins following the Packers’ narrow defeat to the Chicago Bears, which ended 24-22 in their final regular-season match. “I know the caliber of our team. We just need to perform better all around.” They will have to significantly improve their play when they travel to Philadelphia (14-3) for a rematch against the NFC East champions, who edged them out 34-29 in Brazil during the season opener.
There are multiple factors causing concern for the Packers heading into the playoffs. In recent days, their top cornerback Jaire Alexander has been placed on injured reserve, and they have lost wide receiver Christian Watson to a torn ACL. Quarterback Jordan Love also exited the Bears game after losing feeling in his throwing hand. However, he expressed optimism about recovering in time for the upcoming matchup.
Now they face a strong Philadelphia team that boasts an impressive record of 12 wins in their last 13 games. The Eagles’ defense is ranked second in the NFL, allowing a mere 17.8 points per game. “It’s crucial for our offense to be efficient and stay ahead of the chains,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur emphasized. “They have playmakers at every level of defense, which means we need to capitalize on what’s presented to us and fight for every inch on the field this Sunday.”
Ending the regular season with a last-minute loss to the Bears was particularly demoralizing, as it ended Green Bay’s 11-game winning streak in their rivalry. “Falling to them just before the playoffs is disappointing,” noted right guard Sean Rhyan. “We need to shake it off and treat this like a new season. That’s our only option.”
On a positive note, although running back Josh Jacobs only had six carries while preparing for the playoffs, the Packers still managed to rack up 183 rushing yards, averaging 5.5 yards per attempt. Their overall average of 146.8 rushing yards per game is the highest they’ve achieved since 2003 (159.9).
However, several areas need improvement. The inconsistency from their previous 27-25 loss to Minnesota carried over to their finale. Notably, they conceded a 94-yard touchdown on a punt return due to a deceptive play by DJ Moore. Moreover, the team’s efficiency in the red zone was lacking, converting only one of three attempts. Clock management was also an issue as they called a timeout prior to a 55-yard field goal try, which ultimately allowed the Bears sufficient time to secure the victory. Additionally, Green Bay has allowed three sacks in both of their last two games, a stark contrast to their prior four-game stretch where they surrendered only one sack. In their recent matchup against the Bears, they managed to sack Caleb Williams just once during his debut, despite him being the third-most sacked quarterback in NFL history this season.
In terms of individual performances, kicker Brandon McManus made all three field-goal attempts, improving his season record to 20-of-21. Jacobs has now scored a touchdown in eight consecutive games, breaking a franchise record that had stood for 64 years. Malik Heath also made a notable contribution with three receptions for 53 yards, including a crucial 41-yard catch on a third-and-long situation. Defensive back Carrington Valentine had a strong showing too, registering a forced fumble and two interceptions in his last four games.
However, not all performances were stellar. Defensive lineman Kingsley Enagbare was penalized for a horse-collar tackle, granting the Bears advantageous field position for their game-winning drive, while wide receiver Jayden Reed’s fumble in Packers territory set up a critical touchdown for Chicago.
In terms of injuries, in addition to the aforementioned losses, linebacker Quay Walker (ankle) and safety Evan Williams (quadriceps) have missed three consecutive games. Wide receiver Romeo Doubs dealt with an illness that kept him out of Sunday’s game but is expected to be fit for the playoffs.
A key statistic to note is the Packers’ dismal 1-5 record against NFC North opponents this season, marking their poorest divisional performance since 2005. Prior to this season, they held a 22-8 record in NFC North games under LaFleur’s leadership.
Moving forward, the Packers, now the No. 7 seed in the NFC, understand they will remain on the road for the entirety of their playoff journey, regardless of how long it lasts.
