Around the NFC North: 2025 Wildcard Round
Is anyone really surprised?
By Mike Price
Some years the football gods are just against us. Say what you will about the offensive line and LaFleur’s timeout management and Keisean Nixon, when you’re up 21-3 and lose because of a missed PI call in the end zone, two dropped possible TDs on the last drive, a superman throw on 4th and 8 and three missed field goals (when the Packers didn’t has a single FG under 50 yards missed against them this year), the game just came down to the football gods.
Bears
Game Notes
- I'm tempted to say this was a game of two halves like the other two match-ups were this season, but in reality, the Bears didn't have an offensive snap in regulation against the Packers this season while they had the lead. They played 0 minutes against the Packers with the lead and won two of the games and were an interception on broken coverage away from winning all three.
- If you're a football gods atheist and you have to pin the loss on one group, it's the offensive line. The team had seven carries for six yards in the second half. Three drives during the comeback ended prematurely because of bad runs and that's not even including the penalties. Early in LaFleur's tenure with this team, when Stenavich was offensive line coach and they focused on lighter pass protecting linemen, the offensive line was a true strength usually ranking in the league's top five. Now they're the reason for a playoff loss. A lot of introspection needs to go into the makeup of that room this off-season.
- We can't forget about the defense's collapse in the fourth quarter when they gave up 25 (!) points. The most depressing part is that the defense kept forcing third and fourth downs and then would completely fall apart and give up a 23-yard pass here and a 22-yard run there to convert for another first down. Make just one of those plays and we probably win the game. Speaking of groups needing a lot of introspection this off-season, you can throw almost the whole defense into that bucket. The linebackers have a lot of flashes but also leave a ton to be desired in pass coverage. The interior d-line gets pushed back on almost every run. The corners are responsible for half of the team’s losses this season. And the highest paid player left on the edge loafs on almost every play. It’s nice that we have good safeties, I guess.
- I guess we should talk about the Bears – the true masochists came here for that. There isn’t a whole lot to say that I haven’t said a hundred times. They played badly in the first half. They kept grinding, got some luck, Caleb Williams made some incredible plays and they won. It’s how about 10 of their games have gone this season.
- Williams didn’t have a great game by box score standards. He had 361 yards and two TDs but it took 48 attempts (and 50% completion) and two picks to get there. Of course, if you watched the game, you understand that his Brett Favre type plays kept the Bears in the game. It’s like he’s a different quarterback on third and fourth down. On first and second down he doesn’t mind throwing the ball away (and never getting called for intentional grounding) on third down he inserts the rabbit foot and inevitably converts. It’s maddening.
- The Bears’ run game had a down day all things considered. (All things includes the Packers having the worst run defense performance in world history two weeks ago). They had 28 carries for 93 yards. 20 of those yards were Caleb Williams scrambles.
- The star of the game for the Bears’ receivers was rookie tight end Colston Loveland. He had 8 catches for 137 yards. It feels insane that, once Edgerrin Cooper went down, the far and away three best players on the Packers’ defense were safeties and they couldn’t figure out a way to match up one of them with the damn tight end.
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Mike Price is a lifelong Packers fan who recently moved from Utah to Stoughton (a Madison suberb). You can follow him on twitter at @themikeprice.
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Comments (31)
PearlyBakerBest
January 13, 2026 at 09:59 am
Seems so long I've felt this way and time's sure passing slow
Cheezehead72
January 13, 2026 at 10:18 am
Yes I hate seeing the Bears win. I really hate seeing the Bears take the division. I hate more when the Bears beat the Packers. I hate even more knowing the Bears took us out of the playoffs. But one thing I keep in mind. This team would not beat the Seahawks. Go Rams.
TarynsEyes
January 13, 2026 at 10:34 am
Are the Bears world beaters, no, but their warts have only placed the 'Bright Light of Shame' (credit Dave Dameshek) on the Packers warts, which were hidden inside the wins, which were warty also.
The Bears are emotional, non-quitters, and have a QB who isn't afraid to play 'boldly' to win the game it appears to have lost. This QB won 10 games with this mentality, while GB was compelled to rely on a 'Cutler-esk' type, without the severe pouting, and a HC that raised him to be like himself, scared to be bold.
Some, or many, brag of Loves' stats for the game as great, and Williams having near equal, though achieved in different manner is lambasted, while ignoring who won and lost, which as I'm always seeing here said, a win is a win, until it's a loss by GB.
I've pointed out that GB, and Love are standing still on the platform thinking it's what moves and not the train, and now we see all those others passing them and up the ladder.
It's also be said a lot, that Love needs to be set free from what is constraining him, and I don't think he is being constrained from bolder play, I believe it simply isn't truly in him and why him and MLF will never have a Rodgers-MLF experience, two peas in the same pod mold, afraid to lose trying to win, even while leading.
The Pack is Back is a mantra that will need more time to ring true.
Lare
January 13, 2026 at 10:59 am
You know Taryn, I've slowly come to the painful realization that the Bears are better than the Packers right now. They have a better GM that is able to improve the poor areas on his roster (namely the OL & DL). They have a better HC that knows how to make adjustments to win games. They have better coordinators & assistants, and even better players.
I hate to admit it but it is what it is.
TarynsEyes
January 13, 2026 at 11:02 am
Reality hurts, but no matter how slowly one comes to accept it, welcome.
jlc1
January 13, 2026 at 12:15 pm
Not to fully disagree but the Bears have had a ton of early picks in recent years. That is likely one reason their GM is looking good right now. Those picks are because they sucked. Not sucking and drafting later is a price I'll pay. But your point is taken, that franchise is not going to be drafting early for the foreseeable future.
WorseWisconsin
January 13, 2026 at 03:14 pm
"the Bears have had a ton of early picks in recent years. That is likely one reason their GM is looking good right now."
You have to admit that with prior Bears GMs, having high draft slots didn't stop them from making poor picks.
In the 1st round, Poles has done well:
* Wright (All Pro)
* Williams (this pick is looking promising :) )
* Odunze (ditto, though I'd like to see him get injured less)
* Loveland (future star)
Poles bugaboo are the 4th and (especially) 3rd rounds.
T7Steve
January 13, 2026 at 11:09 am
I think it's kind of off base to put that loss on Love. Both QBs could have played better at times, but the Bears won regardless of their QB's mistakes.
The clear cause of the loss was the O-line and coaches not adjusting and doing their jobs.
You could blame the missed kicks but what caused those kicks to have to be tried (except the extra point, of course).
Control the line of scrimmage and you can turn a pedestrian QB into a top 5.
Lare
January 13, 2026 at 11:18 am
"Control the line of scrimmage and you can turn a pedestrian QB into a top 5."
Unfortunately the Packers have a terrible OL, and terrible coaches coaching it. Gutekunst should be given an ultimatum- Fix the OL & DL, get rid of whoever is bad, draft or sign as many people as you need to improve it. If not, get a different job.
TarynsEyes
January 13, 2026 at 11:21 am
I'm in no way putting the loss on Love, I'm saying he is unable to do what Williams, and others, Allen, Nix, Maye, Burrow Stafford etc. can do. This should be very obvious, and those willingly closing the eyes and minds to it, is an issue that is as big an issue as the Packers have, denial of what is and will end up as. What these QBs do, has nothing to do with stats.
Rebelgb
January 13, 2026 at 11:29 am
LOL do you watch the games? Love has been criticized and praised for constantly taking risks "down field". He threw more deep balls this year then ive seen a Packer QB take in af very long time.
The idea that he is risk adverse is a total joke. In fact Love was asked halfway through the season if he is comfortable maintaining his "gunslinger" ways and he said he wasnt going to change. So tell me again how he doesnt take risks?
Love is fine, if you rewatch the Bear game again your left with one very defining observation: our Oline sucked really really bad in the 2nd half. Patrick Mahomes wasnt doing anything behind that 2nd half oline.
TarynsEyes
January 13, 2026 at 11:39 am
"Love is fine, if you rewatch the Bear game again, your left with one very defining observation: our Oline sucked really, really bad in the 2nd half".
You can say the same about the Bears Oline, but what did Williams do and Love not do.
Every QB can throw the ball downfield, some better to much better than others. When has Love done what the QBs I mentioned done, and as consistently as them when needed.
Stay away from the box score to help justify what Love isn't doing.
Rebelgb
January 13, 2026 at 11:57 am
Your the one who seems stuck on the "box score".
I actually watch and rewatch every Packer game. Which you apparently dont. Which is fine most fans dont.
If you HAD rewatched the game you would have seen a nice, clean, wide open pocket for the majority of Williams drop backs.
Not sure what your talking about. Yes Williams made some amazing throws while on the move, but that was after he had all day to survey the field, forced our DB's to run around for too long, and was able to get outside the pocket thanks to our Dline not keeping contain.
Love had no such opportunities except one time that I saw in the 2nd half on a 3rd and 2 I thought he could have run for a first. Otherwise he had nowhere to go.
J-Rome
January 13, 2026 at 01:15 pm
Love put the ball right on Reed on the last drive that would have put us in the red zone with plenty of time left, but Reed dropped it. The throw seems plenty bold to me, but, the play wasn't made. Love can't make the catches too, and he can't make up for a whiffed block. I didn't see any whiffs by Chicago.
Rebelgb
January 14, 2026 at 09:36 am
Good call.
And yes every single time we sent a 5th rusher, Chicago had zero issues picking it up. Our oline on the other hand let the 5th rusher through at least 4 or 5 times (MLF's own words).
splitpea1
January 13, 2026 at 11:29 am
Looking up at the Bears now, ugh. It's been a while, and just like before, it needs to be short-lived.
NFLfan
January 13, 2026 at 11:56 am
Bears built a powerful O-L-ours is expensive but weak.
Bears will likely spend most of their resources on building a DL-a real one.
WorseWisconsin
January 13, 2026 at 12:16 pm
"Bears will likely spend most of their resources on building a DL-a real one."
1: Yep, it's easily the Bears #1 need, especially at DT. Fortunately the '26 draft is deep at DT and DE (though the Oregon D-lineman Washington and Uiagalelei are returning to college, which hurts the draft depth). But...
2: While the Bears D was ravaged by injuries, the O-Line was pretty stable and lucky on that front (except at LT, and now Trapillo is out for likely part of the '26 season). The Bears likely won't be so lucky next season and really need to ensure they get at least 1 Day-2 O-lineman with starter upside.
Brewcity_BearsFan
January 13, 2026 at 12:59 pm
D Line is their most pressing need, and LB will likely be there as well. Edwards had an injury marred season, and may not be back.
If Chicago brings back most of its key offensive pieces (Moore and Kmet are question marks I think), and focuses mostly on defense, Allen could have a unit on par with Johnson's offense.
WorseWisconsin
January 13, 2026 at 11:59 am
"The Bears’ run game had a down day"
The Bears did none of the things people thought needed to happen in order for the Bears to win:
1: 'Bears defense must win the turnover battle.' Nope, Bears had 2 turnovers and the Packers had zero. Bears won anyways.
2: 'Bears running game must dominate.' Nope, Bears had a 'down day' as you said. Bears won anyways.
"The star of the game for the Bears’ receivers was rookie tight end Colston Loveland."
It's really clear that Loveland is going to be a star in the NFL. The 2025 draft had 3 truly excellent TEs (Loveland, Warren, Fannin) and I'd easily take Loveland over either of those 2.
IMO, the NFC North has 2 of the top 3 TEs in the NFL (Bowers, Loveland, Kraft). Sorry SF and Detroit.
dobber
January 13, 2026 at 12:06 pm
I think he just caught another 20 yard out.
jlc1
January 13, 2026 at 12:20 pm
I think late in the 4th quarter I saw McKinney line up across from Loveland when he was on the outside. The play resulted in a completion to someone else. Here the answer just created a different problem that the Bears saw and exploited.
WorseWisconsin
January 13, 2026 at 12:28 pm
"McKinney line up across from Loveland"
McKinney's a very good Safety (a good signing, I have to admit). I could see how a player like McKinney could shut down a rookie like Loveland as he has elite-like coverage skills for a safety.
But once Loveland learns to use his size to his advantage, no-longer-a-rookie Loveland will eat up players like McKinney in the future.
Cheezehead72
January 13, 2026 at 12:34 pm
I had made the comment before the draft that I thought Loveland was the best true TE in the draft and that Warren would be the most versatile.
Our two INTs came on 4th down. The Packer's DBs have shown that they can catch 4th down INTs but not on the other downs.
Brewcity_BearsFan
January 13, 2026 at 01:04 pm
Loveland, if he stays healthy, will be a match up problem for opposing defenses for a long time.
The knock on him coming out was he couldn't block. That part of his game has improved dramatically. If Kittle is the standard, Loveland is rapidly ascending there.
bjkdad44
January 13, 2026 at 02:35 pm
Coaching??!!??
Tlatum21
January 13, 2026 at 01:38 pm
The Packers priorities for next season need to be:
1. Upgrade the O line
2. Upgrade the O line
3. Upgrade the O line
When you have a dominant O line you:
1. Run the ball consistently and well
2. Protect the passer consistently and well
3. Allow your skill players to be consistently successful and, as a result . . .
Dominate time of possession, wear out the opposing team's defense, score, score, score and WIN, WIN, WIN. So, Packers front office, go get the players and coaches to make it happen. As some cigarette ad from the 1950s said: "It's what's up front that counts."
crayzpackfan
January 13, 2026 at 03:52 pm
Aside from Tom, they have proven the exact opposite of how to build and coach up an offensive line. So who's gonna build it and coach it next year?
Starrbrite
January 13, 2026 at 02:23 pm
I think the bears simply had a Cinderella year. Every bounce and situation seemed to have fallen their way. If your qb is completing 50% of passes and you’re still winning; some divine intervention is happening.
I remember we had a similar year with Majik in’86-I think?
They’ll return to 500 next season.
Meanwhile, if the Packers do not have enough motivation to beat them now, especially following Johnson’s classless comments—then never.
Why I don’t want Lafleur retained—his teams seldom ever play with passion.
Go Packers!!!
Brewcity_BearsFan
January 13, 2026 at 02:32 pm
I can understand the Cinderella mentality to a point
Saturday night, almost all the breaks went the Packers way. 2 picks, and 3 or 4 fumbles, all of which Green Bay recovered.
Chicago just wanted it more in the second half.
Williams had several of these comebacks last year as well, however the defense couldn't hold serve at the end.
Some QBs just have that "Clutch" trait, and early on, he appears to be one of them.
Johnson changed the culture, which had been heartbreak, poor play, and simply losing. Lots of losing.
WorseWisconsin
January 13, 2026 at 03:35 pm
"I think the bears simply had a Cinderella year."
There's a risk of regression, I won't deny that. But that's true with EVERY team. Just ask Detroit, Minnesota, Washington, Kansas City and Baltimore.
Baring injuries, I like the Bears chances of being competitive next season. I think their BIG needs are DL, Safety, O-line depth (there's really nothing proven after Trapillo, Thuney, Dalman, Jackson and Wright) and linebacker roughly in that order.