5 standouts from Packers’ Week 18 loss to the Bears

cbarto66 | 01/06/2025

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By PACKERSWIRE
Brandon Carwile

5 standouts from Packers’ Week 18 loss to the Bears

The only thing worse than a loss for the Green Bay Packers to close out the 2024 season would be injuries to key players heading into the playoffs.

Welp, to start the second quarter of Sunday’s showdown with the Chicago Bears, wide receiver Christian Watson suffered a non-contact knee injury that could be serious. Then, three plays later, Jordan Love exited the game after landing awkwardly on his right elbow following a desperation pass to Josh Jacobs. Although Watson’s season could be over, Love feels good about his chances of being available for next week’s playoff game.

The injuries didn’t help, but Green Bay did everything they could to squander their 11-game win streak against Chicago. The Bears struck first with a misdirection punt return that fooled the Packers punt coverage, resulting in a 94-yard touchdown for Josh Blackwell. In addition, fumbles by Jayden Reed and backup quarterback Malik Willis robbed Green Bay of two chances to take the lead.

The Packers took the lead during the final minute of regulation but left too much time for Caleb Williams and Chicago’s offense to drive down and attempt a go-ahead field goal as time expired. This time, Karl Brooks wasn’t there to save the day as Cairo Santos’ 51-yarder sailed through the uprights to lift the Bears to a 24-22 victory.

Despite how poorly Green Bay managed the season finale, the result would have had no effect on their playoff seed since Washington won its game against Dallas to lock up the sixth seed.

The Packers officially finished the 2024 season with a record 11-6 and will travel to Philadelphia to face a talented Eagles team. Philadelphia already beat Green Bay this season in the opener in Brazil.

With the regular season officially in the books, let’s do one more standout list to close things out.

Edge Rashan Gary

https://twitter.com/packers/status/1875968515330421052

Chicago’s offense struggled for most of the day, and the first snap was a horrendous start when Caleb Williams bobbled a high snap and was immediately met by Gary in the backfield. Gary, who was named to his first Pro Bowl this week, sacked Williams for a loss of seven. He finished the season with 7.5 sacks, including five over the last eight games. The unfortunate part is that it was the only sack of the game for Green Bay’s defense, but hopefully, Gary will continue to produce during the postseason.

WR Malik Heath

https://twitter.com/ESPN3ALLDAY/status/1876038397955051831

Heath’s opportunities have been few and far between this season, but he’s stepped up when the team has needed him. This week, he filled in for an ill Romeo Doubs and saw five targets for three receptions and a team-high 53 yards–also a career-high. One of those catches was the play of the game, and it came at the perfect time. Down by eight and facing a 3rd and 21 late in the fourth quarter, Willis heaved up a prayer to Heath, who made a leaping 41-yard catch. Heath’s impressive grab set up an Emanuel Wilson touchdown run on the very next play to cut it to a two-point deficit.

S Xavier McKinney

https://twitter.com/packers/status/1875993550283796970

The Bears went deep into their bag of tricks on Sunday. Some of it worked, while others backfired. Coming into the game, McKinney hadn’t had an interception since Week 12, primarily because opposing quarterbacks have avoided throwing in his direction. Well, that doesn’t include wide receivers. When the Bears attempted a trick play with Keenan Allen throwing the football, the wide receiver made a poor decision, which led to McKinney’s eighth pick of the season. He became the first Packers player since Charles Woodson in 2009 to have eight interceptions in a season and the first Packers safety to do so since 2000. The takeaway almost didn’t happen, as McKinney fumbled the ball during the return but was fortunate that Edgerrin Cooper recovered it. It’s the second straight week a Green Bay player has fumbled the ball after an interception. The coaches may need another refresher on ball security with the defense.

CB Carrington Valentine

Two takeaways in two weeks is a good look for Valentine, who the Packers will be counting on to make plays in the playoffs. With under two minutes left in Green Bay’s territory and winning by two, Williams made a quick pass to DJ Moore on a screen, but Valentine’s tackle jarred the ball loose. Javon Bullard recovered the fumble, which led to the Packers briefly taking the lead late in the game.

K Brandon McManus

After Valentine’s forced fumble, the offense moved the ball only six yards. With the ball on Chicago’s 37, Matt LaFleur decided to put his trust in McManus to attempt a 55-yard field goal. With not much room to spare, McManus made the kick to take a 22-21 lead. Unfortunately, LaFleur called a timeout to stop the clock with 54 seconds left, allowing the Bears enough time to drive down and kick the game-winning field goal. Still, McManus delivered in a clutch moment and has missed only one kick since arriving in Green Bay.

Read all the best Packers coverage at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Packers Wire

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