The Green Bay Packers lost their game and a few key players to injury in Sunday’s regular season finale against the Chicago Bears.
Chicago rallied in the final minute of the game at Lambeau Field with a walk-off field goal for a 24-22 victory and snapped a 10-game losing streak in the final game of the season as Green Bay placed seventh in the competition. playoffs.
The Packers finished the game without quarterback Jordan Love and wide receiver Christian Watson, both of whom were injured in the first half. Love appeared to escape a significant injury ahead of next Sunday’s wild-card playoff round against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Bears win after wild finish
Chicago took an early 14-3 lead and had a chance to run out the clock with a 21-19 lead late in the fourth quarter. But DJ Moore fumbled a screen pass with 1:52 left, and the Packers recovered.
Green Bay then drove to set up Brandon McManus for a field goal attempt with 54 seconds left. McManus’ line drive from 55 yards just cleared the crossbar to give Green Bay a 22-21 lead.
The bears answered. They drove 47 yards on their ensuing possession and set up Cairo Santos for a game-winning field goal as time expired. Santos’ 51-yard kick hit the crossbar just inside the left upright to secure the Chicago victory.
The Bears snapped a 10-game losing streak with the victory over their division rival, finishing the season 5-12. The Packers join the NFC playoffs at 11-6 as the No. 7 seed and will travel to the Eagles next Sunday.
The Washington Commanders earned the No. 6 seed with their loss to the Packers and their victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
Packers suffer serious injuries
Love suffered an elbow injury in the first half and was replaced by backup Malik Willis. Love remained on the sideline for Green Bay’s next possession, and the Packers listed him as doubtful to return. WillIs stayed in the game when a Packers rally from a 14-3 deficit fell short. Love warmed up and threw the ball down the sideline in the second half, but never returned to the game.
Watson left in the first half with a non-contact knee injury. He was carted off the field and… excluded from the match at half-time.
The Packers entered Sunday having already clinched a playoff berth. But they played their starters because they had a chance to improve their seeding before Washington’s win ensured they wouldn’t move up to No. 6.
After the game, head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters that Love could have returned, but was held back as a precaution.
Love told reporters that he lost feeling in his throwing hand and did not feel 100% at the end of the game. He said “yes” when asked if he felt good about his playing status next week against the Eagles.
The outlook for Watson’s health was less promising.
“I’m not confident about that at this point,” LaFleur said of Watson’s status.
Love injures the elbow when struck
Love suffered his injury on a first-and-10 play when the Packers trailed 14-3 in the second quarter. He faced pressure in the pocket and threw the ball away to running back Josh Jacobs when he was hit. Love stood up after the blow and shook and flexed his right hand. He pointed to his hand and athletic trainers went onto the field to inspect the injury.
Love then left the field and was replaced by Willis for Green Bay’s next game. Trainers continued to evaluate Love on the sidelines before the Packers announced he had suffered an elbow injury.
The love did not return to the field as Willis continued to lead Green Bay’s offense until the end of the game.
Watson suffered his injury prior to Love’s. He fell untouched to the turf while running a route and immediately clutched his right knee in pain.
Trainers tended to Watson on the field, and he eventually left on the back of a cart with his head in his hands.
Watson is Green Bay’s biggest threat and the Packers’ third-best receiver. He entered Sunday with 29 catches for 620 yards (21.4 yards per reception) and two touchdowns.
The Packers open the playoffs next week against the Eagles. It seems likely they will do this without Watson and questions about the health of their starting quarterback.
