It’s been a few days now that we have all had the chance to let what happened in Chicago this past Saturday night sink in. I won’t let this whole article be strictly about that, but since Festivus just passed, I think it’s time to air some grievances with this Packers team. “I GOT A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH YOU PEOPLE, NOW YOU’RE GONNA HEAR ABOUT IT!”
This loss wasn’t just painful. It was mind-numbing. The kind that replays in your head at random moments throughout the week. The kind that makes you question how a team can find so many creative ways to sabotage itself and still be in a position to win.
All Romeo Doubs had to do was fall on the football. That’s it. Just fall on the ball once it hits your hands, and the game is over! Nightmare fuel.
But let’s be clear: this game wasn’t lost on a single onside kick. That was merely the final chapter in a full novel of self-inflicted wounds. The truly frustrating part? Despite mistake after mistake, the Packers still had every opportunity to walk out of Soldier Field with the division clinched. And they didn’t.
Your own mistakes gave your arch-rival, the other team, ten points. TEN POINTS. It has been truly humiliating to be a Packers fan this week. The team was the laughingstock of the league, and Caleb Williams has been trolling them ever since.
The Packers Red Zone Woes
Want to hear a fun joke? An NFL team going 0-5 in the Red Zone. That’s right, this team got into the Red Zone FIVE times and couldn’t score a touchdown. In the first half, they made it inside the Chicago ten-yard line only to turn the ball over on downs and kick two field goals. They dominated the game up to that point, but could not finish.
They even got it within the five to start the second half and then turned the ball over on a Josh Jacobs fumble. This cannot happen, and it doesn’t matter who is at QB. Good NFL teams cash in when they get to the red zone. This team got there five times and couldnt even do it once!
Costly Third and 20 Penalty
Late in the fourth quarter. Bears down ten. Third-and-20.
Every Packers fan on the planet had the same thought: “They’re going to give this up somehow.” When Warren Brinson buried Williams for what looked like a potential game-winning sack, there was relief. Real relief…For about three seconds.
Facemask. Automatic first down. On third-and-20. You couldn’t script it worse if you tried.
Super Freak Malik
There are plenty of places to point fingers after this collapse. Malik Willis is not one of them.
A few weeks ago, I floated the idea that using both Jordan Love and Willis could become a real advantage for this offense. When Love exited with a concussion, there was no panic, and that’s a credit to Willis.
He ran the offense with poise, moved the ball, and put the team in position to win the game. Yes, he’ll want the fourth-down play in overtime back. But context matters. Backup quarterback. Backup center. That’s where mistakes happen.
Packers Magic Number: One
Despite their valiant efforts to make their road to the postseason even harder, the Packers somehow…somehow…enter week 17 with a chance to clinch. It was the help from Aaron Rodgers on Sunday, as the Steelers defeated the Lions in Detroit. The Lions’ loss means a Packers win or a Detroit loss in one of the last two weeks clinches a playoff berth for Green Bay.
The Lions will play on Christmas Day against the Vikings, meaning the Packers will know when they take the field Saturday night whether they have already clinched. It’s a lifeline. Not a reward
Momentum Matters, Even If You Back In
Let’s be honest: backing into the playoffs isn’t something to celebrate. It’s better than missing the postseason entirely, sure, but it’s not how you build belief.
Bottom line: this team needs to start winning again. No scoreboard watching or wishing. Winning. Lose out, sneak in because Detroit stumbles, and you’re limping into January with zero confidence. And in the NFL Postseason, confidence and momentum is how teams make the most noise.
Who is QB1?
According to Adam Schefter, one of Jordan Love or Malik Willis is expected to be available when the Ravens come to town. Baltimore may be without Lamar Jackson, but don’t mistake that for an easy night; they’re fighting for their playoff lives, too.
Should the worst-case scenario arise, and both Love and Willis are unavailable, third-year quarterback Clayton Tune is the only quarterback on the Practice Squad, meaning he would be in line to get the start. Tune, a 2023 fifth-round draft pick from Houston, was selected by the Arizona Cardinals.
Tune appeared in 13 games for the Cardinals, making his only start during his rookie year against Cleveland. If one of Love or Willis can go, expect Tune to be brought up off the Practice Squad to be the backup.
One More Trip to Soldier Field?
This season has been exhausting. The Packers have the talent to compete with anyone, even with the injuries piling up. What they lack is discipline. They beat themselves more than any team I have ever seen.
If there’s one silver lining to last Saturday night’s clown show, it’s this: a postseason rematch at Soldier Field is very much on the table.
And if this team truly has that “eye of the tiger” mentality we’ve been hoping to see, they should be dying for that opportunity. Bears fans and players have been loud all week. Disrespectful. Confident.
If that doesn’t light a fire, nothing will.
Because the next time they’re in Chicago, excuses won’t matter. Only answers will.
