With less than three minutes left in the game, the Packers led the Bears by a score of 16-6. All without their two fifty-million-dollar players in Micah Parsons and Jordan Love. Parsons tore his ACL last week, while Love suffered a concussion in this game.
In the most heart-breaking scenario you can imagine, Romeo Doubs could not retrieve the onside kick. This gave the Bears all the momentum they needed to finish the game. In a dagger reminiscent of the 2014 NFC Championship game, Caleb Williams delivered the game winning throw in overtime.
In a six-day stretch, the Packers led both the Broncos by nine and ten points late in their games, respectively. Only to end in devastating fashion, with more questions than answers. Now, the Packers have to find a way to just win next week versus the Ravens.
The Packers Playoff Push: What is the Path Forward?
All hope is not lost on the season, and that should be the only thing of focus right now. With the Steelers win against the Lions, the Packers need to win one game, and they are in the playoffs. This is because they have a 1.5 game lead on the Lions in the division.
However, after the game, the future is murky. As I pointed out, there are more questions than answers. The top question is, will Jordan Love clear concussion protocol in time to play? It wouldn’t be unheard of, but each concussion is a case-by-case basis. Some players are back in days, while others take weeks.
The hit Love took on Saturday is one of the worst to encounter. While Love lowered his helmet a bit, it certainly looks like Austin Booker led with the crown of his helmet, delivering a blow to Love.
Malik Willis entered the game after and took total command of the offense. However, Matt LaFleur also revealed in his press conference on Sunday, that Willis is dealing with a shoulder injury himself.
Now, for the Ravens, Lamar Jackson suffered a back injury in the Ravens 28-24 loss to the Patriots. The Ravens are coming into this game 7-8, while potentially losing Jackson for this game. We will know later in the week, but the quarterback situation for both teams is the main story.
Overall, the Packers have to correct their mistakes in the red zone to have a chance to win this game. If the Packers score a touchdown in any of their drives on Saturday, they win the game versus the Bears handily.
This does not matter though, because they failed to do so. It is on them to be able to find a way to score touchdowns. As we know, field goals will not win you the game.
If the Packers want to make a sustainable playoff push, they have to get out of their own way. Their next test looms on Saturday, and they just need to win.
