Weeks 15 vs Denver and Week 16 vs Chicago

Between losses and injuries, the last two weeks have gone about as poorly as possible for the Packers. With losses against Denver and Chicago, the Packers lost first in the NFC North and fell to 9-5-1. The game versus the Broncos was a defensive disaster. Bo Nix threw four touchdowns and 302 yards with no turnovers. A mediocre Broncos offense was really able to do whatever they wanted to Green Bay’s defense. To make matters worse, Micah Parsons tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the season. About the only bright spot from this game was the fact that Green Bay was able to put up 26 against a top-three defense. 

The Bears and Packers met for the second time in three weeks in a Saturday night showdown. The Bears were looking to get revenge for their earlier defeat to the Packers and take back the north from Green Bay. The first half was a defensive showdown, with the score at the break 6-0, in favor of Green Bay. However, in the second quarter, Jordan Love exited the game with a concussion after a helmet-to-helmet hit during a sack. Malik Willis would play the remainder of the game. 

Chicago opened up the second half with a field goal to get themselves on the board. Green Bay answered by driving all the way down the field to Chicago’s four-yard line before Josh Jacobs would cough up a costly fumble to give away an amazing drive. Green Bay responded by forcing a three-and-out and scoring on a strike to Romeo Doubs to put them up 13-3. Chicago would drain another field goal to bring the score to 13-6 with ten minutes left in the game. Green Bay would run some clock and get themselves in field goal range, bringing it back to a 10-point game at 16-6 with only five minutes left in the game. Chicago hit another field goal to bring it to 16-9 with two minutes left, before recovering an onside kick to give themselves the ball back. They would take advantage, scoring a touchdown to take it to overtime. In overtime, Green Bay had a good drive going, before fumbling the snap on 4th and 1 to give Chicago an all but sure win. Chicago delivered the knockout punch by throwing a bomb to DJ Moore to end the game 22-16. 

A disappointing loss for sure for the Packers, but they fought their hearts out. The defense, with Micah Parsons, held the Bears to no touchdowns until a miracle onside kick recovery with a minute left in the game. Malik Willis and Emmanuel Wilson showed a lot of grit out there, trying to drag the offense to victory. Their next two weeks are against Baltimore and Minnesota. Lamar Jackson's status for next week is still unknown, but the Ravens are facing playoff elimination and will not want to go quietly.

Aaron Rodgers did the Packers one last favor, with the Steelers' win over the Lions, the Packers now have over a 90% chance to make the playoffs. This win also clinched playoff spots for the 49ers and Bears; not sure how Rodgers will feel about that. The Packers can still win the division by beating the Ravens and Vikings, and the Bears losing to the 49ers and Lions.