The Green Bay Packers scored touchdowns on the first and final possessions of Sunday’s matchup against the Chicago Bears, but it still took a blocked field goal by Karl Brooks to secure a 20-19 victory over their NFC North rivals at Soldier Field.
The dramatic finish – Brooks caught several fingers on Cairo Santos’ field goal as time expired – gave the Packers their 11th straight victory over the Bears, a franchise-record winning streak.
Here are the good, the bad and the ugly from the Packers’ loss to the Lions:
Good
Christian Watson and Josh Jacobs: The pair combined for 284 yards and five explosive plays. Watson had a career-high 150 receiving yards, including 27 yards and 60 yards for touchdowns. He also had a third-and-long conversion and a controversial 48-yard downfield catch. Jacobs was once again productive, turning 21 touches into 134 yards and a score. The veteran running back had a season-high 58 yards, including two catches of over 20 yards. Jacobs has six straight games with 90 or more yards and three straight games with 100 or more yards.
Karl Brooks: What a play that saved the day. The 2023 sixth-rounder shot the ball, overcame his block and captured the ball enough to complete a field goal attempt as time expired. This could be a season-changing game. The difference between 7-3 and 6-4 with an 0-3 record in the NFC North is huge.
Bad
Another interception by Jordan Love: Make it eight straight games with an interception by Love, who sent a throw to Tucker Kraft on third down in the red zone. It was his worst shot of the day, by a significant margin, but it was a huge turning point in the match. Instead of the Packers taking a 10-3 lead, or even a 14-3 lead, Love threw a pick inside the 20-yard line and the Bears charged down the field and took the lead before halftime.
Red zone: Although the Packers scored three touchdowns inside the 20, they also had two empty trips to the red zone and failed to convert a two-point conversion. Love threw a pick at the 20 in the first half, and the Packers also had a turnover on downs from the 6-yard line in the second half. The two-point attempt had no chance but was stuffed. The Packers continue to leave far too many points on the field each week.
Ugly
Third and fourth defense down: The Packers couldn’t get off the field. The Bears converted nine third and three fourth attempts, and then gained a decisive advantage in the course of action (68-43) and time of possession (36:21-23:39). Caleb Williams twice attempted first downs on third-and-long, both times passing Edgerrin Cooper to the corner. Quay Walker had the chance to end two different attacks but failed at significant moments. On every Bears scoring drive, the Packers allowed multiple third- or fourth-down conversions. And on their final drive, the Packers backed the Bears on third-and-20 but allowed the conversion, opening the door to drama on a behind schedule field goal. It should never come down to a blocked field goal.
