Bears 24, Packers 22: Game Balls / Lame Calls
The regular season ends in embarrassing, costly fashion.
In a regular season filled with ups and downs, the Packers saved the lowest for last. With superior playoff seeding on the line, at home and against the Bears — losers of 10 straight and a million in a row to Green Bay — the Packers pooped the bed in every phase, gift-wrapping a 24-22 victory to Chicago and losing Jordan Love and Christian Watson in the process.
Officially now the 7th seed in the NFC, it’s hard to view this team as a serious playoff contender after this performance. Green Bay lost five of their six NFC North contests, the exception being a lucky, last-second win against the Bears in week 10. The Packers must now go to Philadelphia with little to suggest they can win against a team that has developed into one of the NFL’s elites since beating Green Bay in Week 1. Should they somehow get past the Eagles, the Packers would be headed to Detroit, who thrashed Minnesota on Sunday and will be rested after their first-round bye.
Does Sunday’s loss matter, given that Washington eked out a win over Dallas and secured the 6th seed anyway? It does if you care how the team is playing, how prepared they are and how healthy they are. Injuries are out of the team’s control, but the Bears were who we thought they were, and playing down to their level with so much at stake was inexcusable. Matt LaFleur has had a solid track record of bringing the team back strong after a sub-par performance, but his team has now laid down two of those in a row.
GAME BALLS
Should there be any?
Carrington Valentine — Valentine caused the fumble that allowed the Packers to take the lead with the clock clicking down near the end of the fourth quarter. And though the Bears iced the game with a completion to DJ Moore with Valentine isolated on him one on one, that’s a tough situation for any DB on a quick in-breaking route. Valentine was solid in coverage overall, and had some important solo tackles. 🏈 🏈 🏈 🏈
Chris Brooks — With Josh Jacobs sitting out more than half the game, Brooks and Emanuel Wilson once again shined as backups. But Brooks averaged 7.4 yards per carry, and clearly has more juice, while Wilson is more the power runner who likes to hang back and let blocks develop. 🏈 🏈 🏈
Rashan Gary — Gary was particularly effective in the first half, pressuring Caleb Williams and collecting a sack, a QB hit and a tackle for loss over the course of the game. 🏈 🏈 🏈
UNSUNG HERO
Tucker Kraft -- He's hardly unsung at this point, but his blocking on Sunday was critical to the Packers running the ball for 183 yards. He was also second on the team with four receptions on seven targets.
LAME CALLS
Special teams — What a disaster, starting with a penalty when receiving the opening kickoff that ruined good field position. Then there was a terrible snap on a punt that Daniel Whelan somehow managed to field and kick away because Chicago was in full return mode. But the killer was a 94-yard punt return for a touchdown by Josh Blackwell after Moore faked out the entire Packers coverage team by pretending to field the kick on the other side of the field. Perhaps the Packers should track the ball in the air? That touchdown likely cost the Packers the game. The only positives for special teams were the kickers.
The defense — Jeff Hafley’s crew played well in the first half, but once again could not get off the field at the most important moments of the game. The Packers were more disruptive than they were against Minnesota in the previous game, but on too many occasions they let Williams slip away from sacks that could have altered the direction of the game.
The offense — Baffling on many fronts. Once again the run game started off well, then struggled a bit and Jacobs exited the game. But overall LaFleur’s scheme was less creative than we’ve seen in other games, and he seems hellbent on making Love strictly a pocket passer, which makes little sense. Love and Malik Willis both have excellent mobility, yet there was virtually no read-option, no moving pockets, little scrambling and no designed runs. Even play action and screens appeared to be minimized against the Bears. Naturally you don’t want to put Love in harm’s way needlessly, but the reality is that it’s nearly impossible to win in the NFL if your quarterback doesn’t run some of the time. In the two games that Willis started and won early in the season, his legs had a lot to do with Green Bay’s success. He broke off a nice run Sunday as well, but it was erased by a holding penalty. Lack of the QB threat to run might also help explain why Packers receivers seem to have trouble recently getting separation in the middle of the field.
FINAL WHISTLES
Even before losing Watson and Love to injury, Green Bay was without Romeo Doubs, Jaire Alexander, Evan Williams and Zayne Anderson, and it showed. They still would have won the game handily had those who did play performed up to their capabilities, and had there been better game planning across the board. The Packers actually dominated most statistical categories, but simply committed too many miscues and played with too little creativity.
It’s too soon to determine the severity of the Love and Watson injuries, thought it’s hard to see Watson playing again this year. His future, like that of Alexander, is directly tied to his availability, which so far has been unacceptably insufficient. At first, Love’s injury looked like a simple dislocated pinkie, but then came word that it was an elbow problem. The bet here is he’ll play against the Eagles.
The bigger problem is that many key Packers, including ones on large contracts, have not been difference-makers. Kenny Clark, Lukas Van Ness, Love, Alexander and Gary have been good but not great over the course of the season, and that won’t cut it in the playoffs. This week of preparation, and the game Sunday in Philadelphia, will be a big test for the franchise. GPG.
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Jonathan Krim grew up in New York but got hooked on the Packers — and on hating the Cowboys — watching the Ice Bowl as a young child. He blames bouts of unhappiness in his late teens on Dan Devine. A journalist for several decades who now lives in California, he enjoys trafficking in obscure cultural references, lame dad jokes and occasionally preposterous takes. Jonathan is a Packers shareholder, and insists on kraut with his brats. You can follow Jonathan on twitter at @Jkrim.
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Comments (117)
packerbackerjim
January 06, 2025 at 07:12 am
Game: Malik Heath, I don’t know why he is so low on the depth chart. Seeems clutch to me.
Lame: MLF. First drive of the 3rd quarter. 4 straight runs, two first downs. Fifth play, Willis drops back, sack fumble, Bears ball.
RCPackerFan
January 06, 2025 at 07:50 am
"Game: Malik Heath, I don’t know why he is so low on the depth chart. Seeems clutch to me."
Heath I think is going to play a major role in the Eagles game. He has that "its my ball" mentality and we could use some more of that.
Mister Chievous
January 06, 2025 at 08:41 am
heath is not special. so he made a nice catch. that's what NFL receivers are paid to do. if he was better, he would be on the field. team needs to add two quality receivers in the off-season
dobber
January 06, 2025 at 09:18 am
We'll see what Watson's injury tells us, but it looks like his 2025 might be in jeopardy, and they'll definitely need a downfield guy who can fill that role--rookies are playing more and being more productive than ever, but it's hard to count on an impact guy like that if you don't get him at the top of the draft. Melton's got the speed to threaten deep, but he's not a jump ball guy.
Mister Chievous
January 06, 2025 at 06:35 pm
production, not potential.
and sorry down voters. heath is a developing future all-pro who will solve all the teams' offensive woes. better?
TKWorldWide
January 06, 2025 at 08:42 am
Are you suggesting the “sack-fumble” was a play called by MLF?
If that is truly the case, I will finally agree with questioning the playcalling.
packerbackerjim
January 06, 2025 at 09:16 am
What I was trying to convey, the running game was working nicely, but MLF likes to change things up for no apparent reason.
TKWorldWide
January 07, 2025 at 08:35 am
It’s all about results. If he doesn’t change things up fast enough we say he lacks creativity.
dobber
January 06, 2025 at 09:16 am
Remember...he was going to take turnovers off his play chart this week!
Coldworld
January 06, 2025 at 09:58 am
He set up his justification for keeping starters in as to set the tone for the post season free of dumb penalties and sloppiness.
At some point even the most willfully blind will have to accept the disconnect between the myth we’ve been sold and the product.
DoubleJ
January 06, 2025 at 07:18 am
The O and D seemed to be doing quite vanilla styles in this game. I'm wondering if the plan was more to get out of the game healthy (sadly that didn't happen) and not give up anything to the Eagles. I was at the game and it really didn't seem like they wanted to play yesterday from the energy on the sideline.
coolhand
January 06, 2025 at 10:16 am
If the team can't get motivated for the bears at home and go into the playoffs on a positive note after the loss in Minne, then they should not be in the NFL.
It should be up to the coaches and the team leaders to get everyone motivated and from listening to flower all week, I can see why the team had no motivation for this game.
BAMABADGER
January 06, 2025 at 07:38 am
"Rashan Gary — Gary was particularly effective in the first half, pressuring Caleb Williams and collecting a sack, a QB hit and a tackle for loss over the course of the game." ??????????????????????????????
Gary had a gift sack and other than that was meh, which means he will be named NFL Defensive Player of the Year to go along with his Pro Bowl selection.
egbertsouse
January 06, 2025 at 08:16 am
Gary played well for the first 10minutes but then disappeared.
dobber
January 06, 2025 at 09:19 am
I think someone showed him the film of his sack dance and he shrank in shame.
Bearmeat
January 06, 2025 at 07:42 am
I have been a MLF defender for years. I think he’s a great coach. He finally got the DC hire right. But yesterday, was just… ugly. This team needs to grow up. And that falls at MLF’s feet. I do not expect to be talking 2024 Packers football at this time next week. I hope I’m wrong, but I expect a quick exit. This has been a frustrating year for me as a fan, if only because I expected a Super Bowl caliber team. They have that amount of talent, but they are not that good.
Next year, we need to find a way to get MUCH more out of Love and these WRs. Part of that is natural growth. Most of them are only in their second year playing. That Clark contract looks bad. We also need to find a way to get Gary to be above average, and getting anything out of LVN would be nice too. I would assume Alexander is gone. Which means the CB room will be a four alarm fire. We’ll also need another starting IOL or OT, depending on what is done with Tom when Myers leaves.
Hopefully both Lions coordinators leave, as well as Flores. And the Bears screw up Williams permanently. Tough division.
RCPackerFan
January 06, 2025 at 08:03 am
"Next year, we need to find a way to get MUCH more out of Love and these WRs. Part of that is natural growth. Most of them are only in their second year playing."
I think they need to add another deep threat to the core. Without knowing at this moment about Watson, but he could potentially be missing a lot of next year. They need to find a way to get more pure speed on the field.
"That Clark contract looks bad. We also need to find a way to get Gary to be above average, and getting anything out of LVN would be nice too. "
We definitely will need more help in the defensive front. They need a speed rusher who can fly off the edge fast. Also, with Slaton a free agent who knows if he will be back, but they can use more help on the DL.
"I would assume Alexander is gone. Which means the CB room will be a four alarm fire. "
Regardless of what happens with Alexander, they need more help at CB. Valentine is good. Nixon is ok as a 2-4 type, not a 1. I don't see Stokes back. They need more CB's for sure.
"We’ll also need another starting IOL or OT, depending on what is done with Tom when Myers leaves."
Are we 100% sure Myers is gonna be gone? I think its a good bet, but it wouldn't surprise me if he is back too. But if he is gone I think they may look to move Jenkins to OC and put Morgan at LG. But they will need more OL help.
"Hopefully both Lions coordinators leave, as well as Flores. And the Bears screw up Williams permanently. Tough division."
If you are Ben Johnson what opening would you be interested in? I have to think New England might be an interesting choice. They have Drake Maye, and like 130 million in cap space. Jags maybe with Lawrence and some of the players they have as well.
DoubleJ
January 06, 2025 at 08:43 am
"Are we 100% sure Myers is gonna be gone? I think its a good bet, but it wouldn't surprise me if he is back too. But if he is gone I think they may look to move Jenkins to OC and put Morgan at LG. But they will need more OL help."
I could see the Packers bringing Myers back on a minimum deal. For some reason LaFluer seems to love Myers even though he is a bottom 5 starting center.
"Regardless of what happens with Alexander, they need more help at CB. Valentine is good. Nixon is ok as a 2-4 type, not a 1. I don't see Stokes back. They need more CB's for sure."
I see CB being the R1 pick for the Packers in 2025.
RCPackerFan
January 06, 2025 at 08:55 am
I could be wrong, and probably am. But I feel like Myers improved this year. I feel like he hasn't had near the amount of WTF types of plays.
I just look at they like continuity and Myers has been there almost every game. Plus this year he has played with some big injuries according to them.
I definitely see them going CB early in the draft. Probably multiple ones as well.
Coldworld
January 06, 2025 at 09:59 am
Not really. Even Herman, who was pushing that, had backed off and rescinded.
T7Steve
January 06, 2025 at 10:11 am
Unless the teams ahead of the Packers all take offensive players, how would there be a CB that isn't a reach left to draft in round 1? Still one week (at least) too early to start talking draft, but I don't think the biggest problem on this team defense, it's offensive line. Start by putting the D in better circumstances in games like working with a lead, and they seem to be able to take care of business. Of course they need to improve the pass rush, but they need to do that every year.
DoubleJ
January 06, 2025 at 10:17 am
There are two CBs that are possible to be where the Packers pick in R1, Benjamin Morrison and Shavon Revel. The reason is they ended with injuries. Otherwise the CBs other CBs are R2 or R3 prospects that would be reaches.
RCPackerFan
January 06, 2025 at 11:07 am
First off its never too early to talk draft. I love talking draft. And this year with the draft in GB... Ohh Baby!
Pass rush and pass defense need work for sure.
OL has been good this year overall. Our run game has really improved imo.
T7Steve
January 06, 2025 at 12:57 pm
I try to save the draft for after I don't have to fix all the problems with the team during the regular and post season. I can't juggle everything at once like when I was younger (30 yrs ago?).
I may as well take responsibility for not fixing the problems, no one else seems to be.
TKWorldWide
January 06, 2025 at 08:46 am
I think the Myers thing will totally depend on the market. I’d expect GB to give him an offer, but if he gets Runyan/Giants money somewhere, he’s gone.
RCPackerFan
January 06, 2025 at 09:33 am
I agree. I think if he gets a Runyan offer he will be gone.
Coldworld
January 06, 2025 at 10:01 am
If he is seriously considered as a preferred starter next year even on minimum then we have the wrong coaches and GM.
RCPackerFan
January 06, 2025 at 11:08 am
I have no clue what the coaches/gm think. I'm just saying I don't think its as much of a foregone conclusion like many fans think.
I could see GB liking him more then fans.
Mister Chievous
January 06, 2025 at 08:44 am
the Packers have super bowl talent? what would make you say such a ridiculous thing? lol
Coldworld
January 06, 2025 at 10:48 am
“ I think he’s a great coach.”
With what do you credit him to justify that? We were told he’s a genius, but he’s been whipped tactically in the playoffs and key games and now 6 times in one season in 6 division games. What had he gone to elevate these rosters that Dan Devine, for example, would t have?
My answer is not one thing, despite mostly good roster and 2 MVP seasons and now Jacobs. Seven years of hype and precious little reality. When the best hope is other losing good coaches so ours doesn’t fare as badly then that’s no hope at all.
Bearmeat
January 06, 2025 at 03:30 pm
I've told you my answers several times. I think they're reasonable. He resurrected a declining #12. He generally has gotten a lot out of his offensive talent and it looks like he's got the right defensive staff. He's won a lot of games and some big games (SEA in 19, LAR in 20, SF in 21 regular season, Miami in 22, KC, DET, DAL in 23).
But this is not enough for you. Which is fine. It's a difference of opinion.
Leatherhead
January 06, 2025 at 06:42 pm
He's one of the winningest coaches of all time, 34 games over .500 (that's one ahead of Bill Walsh, and currently good for 33rd on the all time list. Holmgren, who finished 50 wins over .500, is 23rd. Mike McCarthy is 62 games over .500, which puts him 15th all time.
All of these guys coached for more than 6 seasons. In fact, every guy ahead of him on the list of games over .500 has coached at least 8 years (McDermott), and most of them have coached for at least 15 years.
So....that's how he compares. Most of the coaches ahead of him on that list are in the HOF, like Holmgren, or headed there. I think it would be insane to fire LaFleur after he's accomplished.
Your insistence that LaFleur had nothing to do with Rodgers resurgence flies in the face of common sense. Look at what Rodgers did the two years before LaFleuer shows up. Look at what Rodgers did the two years after he left. Look at what Rodgers did in four years under LaFleur.
How does somebody look at that and say the stuff you do?
RCPackerFan
January 06, 2025 at 07:49 am
For this game it did not matter to me. Yes I want them to win every time they are on the field. And I wanted them to play well. But the outcome of this game didn't matter to me. I just wanted to get out of this game healthy. And that is where my concern is. Seeing Watson go down the way he did was nothing but a kick to the balls. Watson is the one guy on the offense that puts fear in defenses going deep. The offense just isn't the same without him.
GAME BALLS
Should there be any?
Carrington Valentine —
Valentine has really improved the last month or so. He has been getting turnovers and making game changing types of plays. I feel comfortable with him at one of the outside CB spots.
Emanuel Wilson/Chris Brooks —
I thought the RB's did a good job in this game. Wilson has that ability to run with power but also has deceptive speed that defenders don't think he has. Brooks has that explosiveness to him. I don't know if he will take on to the house, but he can get a lot of yards fast.
Brandon McManus —
Kicking what should have been the game winning FG from 55 yards out in that weather is no easy task and he drilled it.
UNSUNG HERO
Kitan Oladapo --
He got his first true action of the season and I thought he allowed Hafley to call the defense the way he wanted to. He didn't do anything wow in the game, but he allowed the defense to be ran how he wanted it to be. If Williams, Anderson can't go in the playoffs I think they can feel comfortable playing Oladapo.
LAME CALLS
Special teams —
Giving up the Punt Return was absolutely gross. I think this offseason they need to get some competition for the LS. He has had way too many high snaps this year.
The defense —
The defense played well all day until when they needed them the most. The final play of the day made absolutely no sense. They let them have the entire middle of the field with 15 seconds left. Not like they had 5 seconds left. It made no sense to me.
The offense —
Love definitely didn't look good overall. I was hoping for a faster start from him. But the common theme from the last 2 games is they had a key offensive turnover early. And that just messes up the rhythm of the offense. And speaking of the rhythm of the offense, they had some rhythm going and the Musgrave catch that was a catch then not a catch then they challenged and it was a catch again. The refs doing their part completely took away all the momentum from that play. GB should never had to have challenged that play. After Love got hurt Willis came in and played well overall. Not perfect, but well overall. If he didn't get hurt on the hit I think they get the 2 point conversion. This offense was doomed once Watson and Love got hurt and didn't play anymore.
FINAL WHISTLES
The Bears got 14 points off of a deceptive Punt Return and by a turnover. That was simply too much to overcome.
Moving forward I think they really need to run through the RB's and TE's as much as possible. That catch by Musgrave to me gives them a ton of confidence moving forward. With the loss of Watson and assuming he won't be playing anytime soon they could perhaps find a good role for him. He has the speed to force Safety's to keep an eye on him. I wouldn't mind seeing him line up wide some.
For the Packers they need to get healthy quickly. They need their best players playing to have a chance to win. They need to have Evan Williams and Quay Walker on defense. They need Doubs on offense. They need guys back.
Defensively I want to see them unleash Cooper. I feel like there is a lot more they can do with him, and Hafley has eluded to that. Well now its playoffs and unload!
Mister Chievous
January 06, 2025 at 08:51 am
lining Musgrave out wide? do you really think the defense is going to send a linebacker out there to cover him? there's a reason teams don't line up tight ends wide in the nfl. Wilson did surprise me with his speed, too.
dobber
January 06, 2025 at 09:22 am
"there's a reason teams don't line up tight ends wide in the nfl."
Teams do it all the time. Not every TE can do it.
Coldworld
January 06, 2025 at 10:16 am
It does depend on the TE, on surprise and what you ask them to do. Athletically, Musgrave at X makes perfect sense as a sporadic situational option.
RCPackerFan
January 06, 2025 at 09:58 am
Sure. They probably would. Which then would take a LB away from the box which should help open the run game up for Jacobs.
MTmind
January 06, 2025 at 10:30 am
I don’t think any fans actually care about the final score or outcome of the game, they care about “how” it was played. And this wasn’t a one-off. Regardless of the close scores, the play calling and execution have been terrible the last two weeks… one against (what we should now consider) a superior team and one to a largely inferior team. If declaring that the team needs to play mistake-free football and players need to miraculously become healthy was a winning strategy, the Packers would have beaten the Bears. It’s clear that that about sums up their preparation for the game.
Doofapotamus
January 06, 2025 at 07:49 am
Game balls - Edgerrin Cooper making plays all over again, Malik Heath being the only receiver to show he can contest for the ball on a regular basis, all of the RB's playing extremely well, McManus and Whelan being a godsend for the worst special teams unit in the league.
Lame calls - 1-5 in the division and 1" away from being 0-6, Lafleur choosing to start the game with the ball only to do nothing with it, AGAIN, the offense simply giving up before halftime despite having 30 seconds and 3 TIMEOUTS knowing the opposing team gets the ball to start the second half, Malik Willis taking 3 sacks in the second half, Matt Lafleur's clock management on GB's final drive and wasting 5 time outs, numerous fumbles, Matt Orzech (how does this guy still have a job?) Rich Bisaccia and his bumbling coverage units, Hafley's baffling prevent decision that cost them the game, and finally injuries to Watson, Love AND Willis.
This team has proven time and time again that they're not disciplined enough to win big games. They can't help but make numerous crucial mistakes every single game and it will absolutely cost them in the future if they can't figure it out. Lafleur, take a good hard look in the mirror because it starts with you.
packerbackerjim
January 06, 2025 at 08:26 am
A 15 play script to begin the game should have the goal of making Love comfortable, developing a rhythm and a few plays to expose defensive tendencies to be exploited at some point. If so, it has failed miserably.
RCPackerFan
January 06, 2025 at 08:32 am
I agree with you on this. There needs to be some sort of 'get on track' kind of plays to get them going.
What I really want is some easy slants or something that can get the players the ball quick.
DoubleJ
January 06, 2025 at 08:47 am
"the defense giving up another score before halftime knowing the opposing team gets the ball to start the second half"
The Packers didn't give up any points on the drive before the end of the 1st half.
Doofapotamus
January 06, 2025 at 08:58 am
You're right, that's my mistake. I was thinking about another instance, my beef with before halftime was Lafleur basically kneeling on it with 30 seconds left and 3 timeouts being down by 1 knowing the team isn't getting the ball in the second half. Dan Campbell would be trying like hell to score a touchdown in that situation. Lafleur lacks the killer instinct to knock opponents out and has repeatedly demonstrated his complacency.
stinkycheesehead
January 06, 2025 at 07:52 am
I'll sum it up in three words the (packers sucked yesterday)!!!
Guam
January 06, 2025 at 08:01 am
The local paper quoted both LaFleur and Love as saying he will be fine for the Eagles game. Love banged his elbow on Tom's helmet and hit his ulna nerve (funny bone). His hand went numb during game time but he has since recovered feeling in the hand. No word formal word yet on Watson yet but the speculation is a torn ACL.
Coldworld
January 06, 2025 at 10:03 am
We are going to have to find or draft a big deep target. Add that to the OL, DL and CB needs. Not good at all. Could MVS be back cheap?
Leatherhead
January 06, 2025 at 06:53 pm
Well, Watson won't be playing Sunday,that's for sure. Good news on Love's elbow. I'm surprised more QBs don't hurt themselves on helmets.
Reed, Doubs, and Wicks are going to have to do it. They're going to have to make some contested catches under tight coverage.
zoellner25
January 06, 2025 at 08:12 am
MLF's recent end of first half and now end of game decision making really needs assessment. He's so emotional and indecisive, it is costing the team. One thing I respect about Dan Campbell, he's decisive and doesn't second guess his plan. MLF can't decide if he wants to huddle/run hurry up, timeout or no timeout, what range his kicker has or not, why prevent defense doesn't work, and on and on and on and on. He looks like a first game coach, not a 100 game coach far too often.
Rebelgb
January 06, 2025 at 08:30 am
100% agreed. I was a MLF fan for the most part, however the last half of this season has me questioning how good he really is? He is going to be given a long leash because of his w/l record, but if we have another year like this year it will be time to consider changes.
Injuries are not an excuse, look at the Lions and what they have been able to do. That game against MN yesterday was a masterpiece.
"Youngest team in the league"- is no longer an excuse. Most of our young players are going on year 3. You can only use that excuse so long. People dont want to hear it anymore.
Packerpasty
January 06, 2025 at 10:10 am
I agree, this "youngest team" B.S. can end now...its a weak excuse...there are rookies in the league playing excellent smart football...anyone, and I suspect most people who are football fans, watched the Lions Vikings last night and saw exactly how a team should be run....as in the Lions...their coaching staff is excellent, I hope Johnson doesnt end up at Chicago...MLF was a hot commodity his first couple of years but he has shown zero growth as a head coach...can anyone expect MLF and Love to play a clean, intelligent game next week? It will surprise me..
vin0770
January 06, 2025 at 09:40 am
I’m concerned the Pack is in limbo with MLF. He’s not bad enough to deserve firing but plenty of data points especially in big games and playoffs to show his team isn’t ready and gets out coached too often. Lack of big jump improvement this year especially at QB1 has me concerned too. I’m preparing my expectations next week to be easily handled and one and done to put a bow on this 12 win season and feel like ☹️ Why isn’t he a better in game coach after 100 games and leader able to get his team absolutely ready to play on fire?
Coldworld
January 06, 2025 at 10:08 am
Because he can’t lead and has been exposed as not a tactical genius or a great play caller. 7 years in and we are still buying the line we were sold, failed to materialize and then was excused by inexperience and the Rodgers. In reality it’s got no better, and now it seems our divisional rivals know it and how to play him.
We are mediocre until we move on. He doesn’t lift rosters, he rides them and has a tendency to hold them back at critical moments. He never was the real thing. He is a media friendly paper tiger. The sooner we move on, the sooner we have a chance to break the cycle.
The reality has never matched the myth, and now there’s no inexperience or Rodgers to blame it on, but plenty of games where we can’t be consistent, effective or disciplined and get tactically whipped to boot.
Packerpasty
January 06, 2025 at 10:12 am
spot on....
porupack
January 06, 2025 at 11:47 am
I fully agree with this, CW. I supported MLF until sometime last year. He rides the players, not lifts them. He's up and down. Just when you begin to think he is getting the team on track, confident, and good game strategy, then he utterly fails to have the team ready...and even if there is some fluky adversity, he can't get the team to get to execute good football. What would this 2024 team be without JJacobs? Somewhere around say...Jacksonville, Miami, NY, or New England.
Gman1976
January 06, 2025 at 07:20 pm
MLF is making Coaching 101 mistakes. He is not progressing but regressing. He is a nice guy, but he is costing the team wins. I hope I'm wrong, but we are in for another 1 or 2 tears of frustration.
Guam
January 06, 2025 at 08:12 am
I thought the defense played okay yesterday except for the incomprehensible prevent defense on the Bear's last offensive play. I would love to know if that was Hafley's call or LaFleur had a hand in it.
The Bears pulled the same deception last year on a punt return only to have that TD called back by a penalty. How does Bisaccia not have his special team's prepared for a similar attempt this year? Major preparation fail.
LaFleur's clock mismanagement fiascos have reached game losing levels. The timeout before McManus's last field goal gave the Bear's the time they needed for a game winning drive. Let the clock run before McManus's field goal and the Packers win. One of LaFleur's off season goals has to be to find a way to improve clock management. I don't care if they have to hire a coach to do nothing but that. LaFleur can no longer be in charge of clock management.
Bitternotsour
January 06, 2025 at 09:07 am
If it wasn't LaFleur's hand, it was certainly his DNA. Every D-coordinator came in with an aggressive stance and left as a bend not break shell of what they promised.
Ask yourself what the common thread is
jannesbjornson
January 06, 2025 at 01:51 pm
LaFleur called the prevent.
stockholder
January 06, 2025 at 02:14 pm
He doesn't call a thing for the defense.
jannesbjornson
January 06, 2025 at 11:47 pm
He over-ruled Hafley. As the man stated, it is in his DNA. The same bullshit with Barry. A defensive coordinator knows how to stop the first tier threat, the most probable threat, which in the case of yesterday's debacle, was to stop the Bears from gaining ground for the FG attempt. Three points win the GAME. They didn't need six. LaFleur is trending in a not-so-good manner when it comes to decisive action.
barutanseijin
January 07, 2025 at 02:14 pm
People complained about Capers, Slowik, Sanders, Donatell etc. under Shermie & MM. So no, it’s not the coach. I think it’s the complainers that are the constant in the equation.
BAMABADGER
January 06, 2025 at 08:32 am
Packer fans can criticize him, but who wouldn't want to play for Dan Campbell. Love his comment to Kevin O'Connell after last night's game... "Great season, I'll see you in two weeks."
Packerpasty
January 06, 2025 at 10:19 am
because he's pretty sure it wont be the Packers...
jimtalkbox
January 06, 2025 at 08:33 am
1-5 against division teams and losing all of the divisional home games is an absolute disgrace. The Packers took a step back this year and the Lions and Vikings surpassed us by a wide margin.
RCPackerFan
January 06, 2025 at 08:58 am
Going 1-5 in the division correct.
They lost all 5 games by a combined 19 points. Compare that to the Vikings/Lions game last night when the Vikings lost by 22 points.
3 of the 5 losses Love was injured in as well.
Bitternotsour
January 06, 2025 at 09:09 am
yet, if they repeat a 1-5 division record next year it should be LaFleur's last.
RCPackerFan
January 06, 2025 at 09:35 am
Why? If they go 12-6 and win a Super Bowl, they should fire him?
Coldworld
January 06, 2025 at 10:20 am
Seriously? You lose all your division games, go 11 and 1 over 2 years? Lose them all you aren’t going to a Super Bowl and the chances of winning all the other games are extremely low. Yes, the third worst coach in division is bad enough. The 4th worst should be fired. Good grief, are you that much of a fan of the man to trot that out?
RCPackerFan
January 06, 2025 at 11:13 am
Did anyone give GB a chance of going to the Super Bowl in 2010? They barely got into the playoffs as a 6th seed and needed help getting there. Went on a run and won. Once you are in the playoffs it doesn't matter who's record was what in the regular season. The game is won on the field that one day. You just have to be better then your opponent 3 days to get to the super bowl.
13TimeChamps
January 06, 2025 at 10:34 am
It's kind of a pointless question. Has a team EVER lost all 6 division games and then went on to win the Super Bowl the same year? I don't have the time...or interest really...to look it up, but I highly doubt it.
Going 1-5 (and a fingertip from 0-6) in your own division is bad, no matter how close the games were. I've never been part of the "fire everybody after every loss" crowd, but if they repeat (I personally don't think they will) that next year, changes will probably be coming.
RCPackerFan
January 06, 2025 at 11:11 am
No clue...
What if we Win a Super Bowl this year?
And we repeat the 1-5 next year?
13TimeChamps
January 06, 2025 at 11:33 am
What if I suddenly grow a full head of hair? The possibilities are endless!
Leatherhead
January 06, 2025 at 07:01 pm
What if we just win this Sunday? I mean, I know that it's highly unlikely that we're suddenly going to catch fire and win three playoff games in a row. But our chances of playing well in one game and winning is a lot higher.
Can we at least wait until the corpse has quit moving before we begin the autopsy?
In any event, win or lose,the Packers will return in 2025 with a new CEO, the same GM and HC, and most of the same core players. Clamoring for big changes is just howling at the moon.
jimtalkbox
January 06, 2025 at 09:19 am
That seems misleading. We were behind at half time in every single divisional game. That seems like evidence of bad game-planning against the teams that you should be most familiar with.
During the Vikings and Lions games we were down at LEAST 10-14 points at half time.
Mad scrambles to make up points in the second half isn't a sustainable model for winning. At that point you're not "dictating" to the other team, you're just hoping to get lucky.
RCPackerFan
January 06, 2025 at 09:38 am
Its not misleading its exactly what happened.
The last Vikings game they were down 10 points because the Refs gave them 3 points. That changed the game.
The last Lions game they had a TD taken away on a horrible call. That is a fact as well.
They got down big in the first Vikings game which was week 4. Love was clearly not comfortable in that game and it took a while to get comfortable.
jimtalkbox
January 06, 2025 at 09:45 am
You can blame the refs if you want, but bad calls happen to every team and go both ways. To me, that's not a "winning mentality".
RCPackerFan
January 06, 2025 at 09:56 am
You pointed out that they were behind by 10 points in the Vikings game. The refs handed them 3 points by calling the Packers offsides which they weren't. Its not rocket science. Packers literally did nothing wrong, got flagged for doing nothing wrong, Vikings rekick and they get the FG. That was handing them 3 points. Should have been a 7 point game, but then ended up being a 10 point game.
The Lions game, its a fact that the Refs changed the game. I'm not saying the Packers lost because of it, but it drastically changes the mentality of the end of the game. Packers would have been up 4 points instead of being tied, and only needing a FG to win.
jimtalkbox
January 06, 2025 at 10:07 am
Every single NFL game is literally about overcoming obstacles.
You either figure it out and win or you don't and blame something else.
RCPackerFan
January 06, 2025 at 11:13 am
Just pointing things out.
Coldworld
January 06, 2025 at 10:15 am
If you genuinely think that point margin was indicative of the differential between the teams in any of those games, I can’t take you seriously. If you don’t, then trotting it out in denial is just self deluding.
Mister Chievous
January 06, 2025 at 08:37 am
week by week, our receivers look worse and worse. there is no a game breaker threat among them. I watch a lot of football and YouTube highlights and see so many receivers who are a threat to break a tackle, make a man miss and make a big play. who on the Packers can do that after the catch. every team has one or two more dangerous receivers than us. hell, the Bengals have three. and once again, love's inaccuracy is becoming a problem the team can no longer ignore. good thing he is locked up with a quarter billion dollar contract.
Aldo
January 06, 2025 at 09:02 am
Love simply isn't that good. He consistently is off target, throws off his back foot and too often into coverage. He increasingly is looking like a glaring mistake. He does not play wth confidence. We need a QB who takes charge and has the talent to back it up.
Coldworld
January 06, 2025 at 10:25 am
The first thing we need is a realistic appraisal of our OL. It’s clearly the 3rd worst in the division. It’s nowhere near as good as the coaches have insisted. Until we change that, everything else is distorted.
13TimeChamps
January 06, 2025 at 10:50 am
If this OLine is as bad as you make them out, how do you explain them being the 5th best rushing team in the league, including rushing for 183 yards yesterday...as well as Love only being sacked 14 times?
Sorry, but that doesn't compute.
Coldworld
January 06, 2025 at 10:55 am
The Bears aren’t exactly the best run D. Have a look at the yards after contact stats. Not just for Jacobs either. They are historically unsustainable. I was, this time, referencing the ability to keep pockets clean. If you think we are in a par with the Lions or even Vikings, then you aren’t watching the games I have been.
coolhand
January 06, 2025 at 09:25 am
And lately Love is holding the ball too long, or is it the plays being called are long developing plays downfield. Very few quick hits. Love looks totally out of rhythm while in the pocket. And even when things break down he doesn't run. And, our O line is not looking good, giving up too much pressure in many key situations.
HarryHodag
January 06, 2025 at 08:43 am
As we begin, lets first consider: who among us thought the Packers would win the Super Bowl this year? If you did you're a dreamer. That's ok but not realistic. Why? They don't have the players.
To me there's a bigger issue. The team came back this year mostly intact from a positive ending to last season. Yet they seem to have walked backwards. The defense is better but the offense is not better excepting Josh Jacobs who was outstanding.
Lets get special teams out of the way before we go on. That special teams touchdown won it for the Bears. That trick play should never happen at the professional level. The failure of the kicking game early on also cost the Packers their season. I think MLF needs to look at a new special teams coordinator.
The larger issue is how MLF prepares this team. Every team can have a bad first half of a game. But the Packers repeatedly seem to take forever to get going. The fact they can get going tells me they can play superior football but aren't prepared to do so. More than one observer has said that MLF is at fault for having the team play 'uptight'. The winning teams go out full throttle from the get-go. Love is playing tentative, trying not to make a mistake, rather than going for it. Favre taught us all that if you do more good things than mistakes you will win. MLF has to do a lot of soul searching this off season and decide how he can get this team to play full throttle, especially Love.
MLF also has to forget he learned end of game clock management from Mike McCarthy(joke) and study hard to improve that.
This offseason, after the upcoming humiliating loss to the Eagles, Gute will face the ultimate test: can you get this team more difference makers? If not, 2025 will be a rinse and repeat of this year.
21Savage
January 06, 2025 at 09:24 am
The biggest thing for me this season was we were fed all this stuff by Packers media during training camp that the pass catchers were scary good. After preseason, we were going to have to cut two legitimate starting-caliber WRs because there was just that much depth. And then Musgrave got hurt (can't predict that, TBF), Wicks and Reed both decided to be top 3 in the league in drops, Doubs kind of was the same guy he was last year, and Watson got the injury bug all year (this last one was kind of predictable). The only pass catcher on the roster who seemed to legitimately make a leap was Kraft. I feel like outlets like Cheesehead and the Green Bay Press-Gazette just completely led me astray on what this team actually was, and it turned out to be pretty much the exact same team as last year, but with a better running back room and easier schedule.
I'm expecting to lose to Philly by 3 scores, and unless Gutekunst has something in the chamber like signing Higgins or getting lucky on drafting an elite difference-maker at pick ~20, I think 2025-26 will be another season where we're the 5th or 6th best team in the NFC again. Which, IDK, maybe management is fine with that.
13TimeChamps
January 06, 2025 at 10:58 am
"I feel like outlets like Cheesehead and the Green Bay Press-Gazette just completely led me astray on what this team actually was"
Maybe you should ask for your money back.
21Savage
January 06, 2025 at 02:12 pm
Tell me where the writers are that won't lie to the fans and I'll put my money there instead
mrtundra
January 06, 2025 at 08:45 am
1-5 in the division. That ain't gonna get it done, Dude!
RCPackerFan
January 06, 2025 at 09:51 am
Lost 5 games by a combined 19 points.
Packerpasty
January 06, 2025 at 10:16 am
a loss is a loss...points dont count, W's and L's do...why do you minimize shitty football??
RCPackerFan
January 06, 2025 at 12:21 pm
You lose by 2 points in 3 games, 3 points in another and that is shitty ball?
barutanseijin
January 07, 2025 at 03:01 pm
I wouldn’t care if they lost by a total of 5. I want to see them destroy their midwestern neighbors, not lose to them. And especially the Bears!!!!
Lphill
January 06, 2025 at 08:53 am
too bad Love didn't play like the former Bears owner did yesterday.
13TimeChamps
January 06, 2025 at 11:02 am
Green Bay...11-6 and heading to the playoffs.
NYJets...not so much.
This over the top man-crush is really not healthy.
Lphill
January 06, 2025 at 11:44 am
Rodgers would have beaten the Bears, he enjoyed it, just facts .
TXCHEESE
January 06, 2025 at 09:04 am
The last pass play for Chicago was maddening. That was Barry Ball all over again. Rookie QB, needing 11ish yards with little time on the clock. Defending 11 with 8 is asinine. Max pressure and crowd the receivers. Hell even if he gets the pass off, having more than one defender on the receiver give you a better chance of batting the ball away or jarring it loose. If he completes it and you put Williams on the ground, there's a decent chance he can't get up and get to the line to spike it.
Entire team excepting the RB's played like it was preseason. WTF! There's no such thing as flipping the switch, but that's the only option now. We keep hearing that MLF is demanding execution and concentration and improvement. Well he's doing a really crappy job of it. Kind of like that parent that keeps telling the kid to stop misbehaving, but never popping them on the butt to show them any consequences of that behavior.
Bitternotsour
January 06, 2025 at 09:10 am
Now perhaps you understand that it isn't "Barry ball" it's LaFleur ball.
TXCHEESE
January 06, 2025 at 09:19 am
You may be right. He's the HC and could have demanded pressure instead of passive on that play.
Bitternotsour
January 06, 2025 at 11:22 am
my belief is that he orders the passivity, and this is who he is.
harleycops
January 06, 2025 at 09:18 am
Everything I wanted to complain about has been written nicely in the comments before me. But this 11-6 record doesn't feel like a playoff team. The Pack used to rule the North and now we're losing to the bottom feeder Bears. This is disgusting for all the reasons others have said. But I compare LaFleuzy to Campbell and there is no comparison. I don't even see LF get mad for bonehead plays. He just holds his play sheet and yells at refs. The Lion players have taken the personality of their coach: tough, rough, gutsy, we're gonna beat your @$$, and not let up. What is the Packer personality? I fear we have grown wimpy, soft, timid, predictable, and we're scared of your @$$. We have some $60m in cap space so what will Guter & LF do with that this off season? Sign some players, pick up some tier 2-3 players, and maybe strike gold with 1-2 FAs like McKinney & Jacobs. This offseason will be another roller coaster.
Packerpasty
January 06, 2025 at 10:15 am
Sadly the Packers are stuck with both MLF and Love...perhaps a different coach could get more out of Love who has become rather mediocre under MLF...watching the Lions last night and their coaching staff and how they get the players to perform certainly sets a high bar for the rest of the division...cant see MLF reaching those heights...
the_gavia_pass
January 06, 2025 at 10:16 am
love has excellent mobility???? he is a dinosaur! SLOW, AWKWARD it is horrible to see him run come on...
Packerpasty
January 06, 2025 at 10:20 am
I sure dont see excellent mobility...he looks dazed and confused way too often out there...he's shown no growth this season and that should be a big concern....OH I FORGOT...HE'S YOUNG!!!
coolhand
January 06, 2025 at 10:31 am
Love can run, though he's not a gazelle. He did last year but this year he seems to never want to leave the pocket and holds the ball too long. I wonder if his leg injuries still bother him and he has lost his mobility.
the_gavia_pass
January 06, 2025 at 12:17 pm
it's pretty clear lafleur turned him into a pocket passer for short-medium passes. why? because he can't run, he's slow and he easily fumbles. why not long passes? because he is an interception machine
Starrbrite
January 06, 2025 at 03:39 pm
It’s a good point —he does (as someone once said), run like a giraffe. Imo, he’s effective when he does it; but he seldom tries it. It seems he would rather attempt to throw it 20 yds to unopen wr’s.
Coldworld
January 06, 2025 at 11:11 am
He averages 4 yards per carry for 356 yards and 5 TDs with a longing 37 yards last year. I suspect we’ve seen less of that due to the injury as much as anything. He’s no Willis, he’s just a little faster than Rodgers, but he can normally move very effectively, but he’s more a straight line runner than a guy who will juke you. This year his long is 14.
the_gavia_pass
January 06, 2025 at 12:29 pm
rodgers at 41 is way much a better runner than love. see dolphins jets yesterday
MainePackFan
January 06, 2025 at 02:54 pm
Love runs like a giraffe. He moves pretty good in a straight line, just don't ask him to try to juke a defender. That's when it gets ugly.
porupack
January 06, 2025 at 12:03 pm
Announcers said that the Bears have only one of their initial 5 OLineman due to injuries. Yet, GB couldn't sack Williams more than once. Uh, huh. Yeah. They did as well as GB's OL, even though Williams avoided a few sacks with his elusiveness.
MLF is so maddening. GB has enough talent. Even with injuries, they field a better 25 than most teams this time of year. Detro and Chigo aren't playing right now with a superior roster. Soooo, that leaves us with a devoid of effective leadership. Move out, Matt. Matt's don't make good HC. NFL should know that by now. Matt's mats.
Hitnhope23
January 06, 2025 at 01:41 pm
As long as the packer fans keep drinking the Kool aid that gutey and lafleur are selling no changes will be made.
Rhah
January 06, 2025 at 04:43 pm
I really hate zone defense. I want what Detroit has. Man to man and come after the QB. That's how you can beat a team like Minnesota.
JohnnyLogan
January 06, 2025 at 07:07 pm
Let's take the focus off La Fleur and tackle the pass rush. None of our DEs has any dip or twirl or is good at hand-to-hand combat. It's all just too easy for tackles to handle them. Gary and Van Ness, especially, are one-trick ponies; they charge into tackles like horses with blinders, and it's all too easy to corral them. Take away two games where somehow we had seven sacks; for the most part, without blitzing, we haven't been able to rely on much pressure being put on the QB from the DEs or the rest of the front four. Clark has one sack this year, and few QB hits. What's happened to him? The new scheme? If it's not working, change it. The rest of the inside guys are just that, guys.
Everyone is clamoring for a CB in the draft, and I'd like to see one or two. But a stud DE is still more valuable, in my estimation. I'd trade for a proven one, sign one if he's out there in free agency, or trade up for the best one in the draft if he's available. What we have now are Gute's mistakes.
croatpackfan
January 07, 2025 at 02:50 am
Reading most of the posts, I'm amazed that nobody see the main problem. Main Packers problem is change of phylosophy of the game. Last year Packers were more through the air type of team, using Jordan Love and the receivers. This season it is more on the ground. To me it looks like you'll be better through the air than to force run game.
Do not missunderstand me, I love how Packers RB room produce, but that put passing game in dissarray. It is obviously there is no rythm between Jordan Love and his receivers. And that is main problem (MHO). Because when you have to play passing game, there is no way you can get it in rythm at the end of the game, if you are pushing run snaps on so many occasions.
And, second big problem I believe Packers have is poor feeling MLF has for the moments in the game. That last TO on Sunday was more than idiotic. And when you see how they changed D after that TO it is amazing what happened. As I understood MLF at his press conference, he wanted D to play so called "preventive" defense instead to believe his players to do the job. I believe we can all agree on the explanation for term "preventive defense" - that kind of D prevent your team winning.
Because of what I just wrote I believe "honorable call in Lame Ball part" should go to MLF.
Also, MLF statement how Adam Stenavich impressed him with new ideas and schemes for the "run game" tells me that MLF get new toy he love so much, that he wants to play with new toy all the time. Bad, bad coaching...