In a sloppy 24-22 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday at Lambeau Field, the Green Bay Packers ended their 2024 regular season. Wide receiver Christian Watson and running back Jordan Love left the game with injuries, which will cast a shadow over the squad heading into the playoffs.
For the second year in a row, the Packers will enter the NFC playoffs as the seventh seed, and they will face the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card round.
The Packers had won their previous eleven meetings against the Bears. The most recent of them was in Week 11, when Green Bay just avoided defeat, 20-19, on November 17, thanks to a block by Karl Brooks on the Bears’ game-winning field goal attempt.
After missing a 51-yard field goal with the clock ticking down on Sunday, Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos made amends with a successful third-down convert by Caleb Williams.
With 54 seconds remaining in the game, Brandon McManus kicked a field goal from 55 yards out, then Santos kicked the game-winning kick. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was the victim of a Packers horse collar penalty at the beginning of the drive, and the defense afterward played too softly, giving the Packers a chance to win.
The Bears’ season finished with a 5-12 record, although the win broke a 10-game losing run. After letting head coach Matt Eberflus go in late November, the Bears head into the summer seeking a replacement.
Meanwhile, the Packers have clinched a postseason spot for the second year in a row with a record of 11-6. On the other hand, they’re barely making the playoffs this year.
Two injuries—to Love and Watson—forced them to exit Sunday’s game; their health, along with that of the other defensive players who have been out with injuries in recent weeks, will be major concerns as they attempt to thwart the Eagles’ explosive offense in Philadelphia.
During the Packers-Bears game, Tom Silverstein had an exclusive discussion with fans that were available to subscribers only.
In addition, the Journal Sentinel provided live coverage of the game, including scoring updates and highlights of the most important plays. Below is a summary:
Scoreboard for the Packers vs. Bears game
Thomas Kuhagen
TeamEach quarter begins with a bear.0; 10; 24
Footballers: 3–10–0–9–22
Jordan Love announces his engagement
Thomas Kuhagen
Listen to Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love’s post-Bears loss comments. Due to an elbow injury, Love exited Sunday’s game during the second quarter.
He left the game with 69 yards on 7 of 12 attempts.
