Jordan Love injured his elbow in the first half against the Bears and was replaced by backup quarterback Malik Willis. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
The Green Bay Packers lost their game and a pair of key players to injury in Sunday’s season finale against the Chicago Bears.
Chicago rallied in the game’s final minute at Lambeau Field with a walk-off field goal for a 24-22 win to snap a 10-game losing streak in its final game of the season. The Packers finished the game without quarterback Jordan Love and wide receiver Christian Watson, both of whom were injured in the first half.
Bears win after wild finish
Chicago took an early 14-3 lead and had a chance to run out the clock late in the fourth quarter. But DJ Moore fumbled on a screen pass with 1:52 remaining, and the Packers recovered.
Green Bay then drove to set up Brandon McManus for a go-ahead field goal attempt with 54 seconds remaining. McManus’ line drive from 55 yards crossed just over the crossbar to give Green Bay a 22-21 lead.
But the Bears answered. They drove 47 yards on their ensuing possession and set up Cairo Santos for a game-winning field goal as time expired.
With the win, the Bears snap a 10-game losing streak with a win over their division rival to end the season. The Packers lock into the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs and will travel to face the Philadelphia Eagles in next-week’s wild-card round.
Packers suffer key injuries
Love suffered an elbow injury in the first half and was replaced by backup Malik Willis. Love remained on the sideline for Green Bay’s next possession, and the Packers listed him as questionable to return. WillIs remained in the game as a Packers rally from a 14-3 deficit fell short.
Watson left with a non-contact knee injury in the first half. He was carted off the field and ruled out of the game at halftime.
The Packers entered Sunday having already clinched a playoff berth and a chance to improve their seeding. The loss ensured that they would remain as the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs. They’ll travel to face the No. 2 seed Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card round. The Washington Commanders, meanwhile, locked up the No. 6 seed with a win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Love injures elbow on hit
Love suffered his injury on a first-and-10 play as the Packers trailed, 14-3 in the second quarter. He faced pressure in the pocket and dumped the ball off to running back Josh Jacobs as he got hit. Love stood up after the hit shaking and flexing his right hand. He pointed to his hand, and trainers took to the field to inspect the injury.
Love then left the field and was replaced by Willis for Green Bay’s next play. Trainers continued to evaluate Love on the sideline before the Packers announced that he had sustained an elbow injury.
Love did not return to the field as Willis continued to lead Green Bay’s offense. The extent of Love’s injury and his prognosis was initially unclear.
Watson suffered his injury prior to Love’s. He fell to the turf untouched while running a route and immediately grabbed his right knee in pain.
Trainers tended to Watson on the field, and he eventually left on the back of a cart with his head in his hands.
Watson is Green Bay’s top deep threat and the Packers’ third-leading receiver. He entered Sunday having tallied 29 catches for 620 yards (21.4 yards per reception) and two touchdowns.
The Packers will open the playoffs on the road next week. It appears likely that they’ll do so without Watson and questions about the health of their starting quarterback.