Overtime, play-action, wide receiver running a deep crossing route, heavily contested but caught, Packers lose. The Packers week 16 loss to the Bears was eerily similar to their 2014 NFC Championship loss to the Seattle Seahawks. An improbable collapse on Green Bay’s end in both games, the one common theme that continues to haunt the Packers in 2025 is their own doing.

Starting with Romeo Doubs failing to recover an onside kick. To a miscommunication between cornerbacks Nate Hobbs and Keisean Nixon on 4th down. Topped off with a fumbled snap by Malik Willis on 4th down that would turn the ball over on downs and set up a Bears game winning pass to DJ Moore soon after.

The collapse vs the Bears was a perfect example of the microcosms that have been unrelenting for Green Bay as of recent years both regular season, and playoffs. Starting with special teams. From failing to recover onside kicks, allowing blocked punts and kicks, to missing field goals.

Defensively not being able to get off the field when they absolutely must. Dropped interceptions combined with a lacking in the “big play.” Combine that with an offense that has struggled to finish off drives, caving in against a pass rush, and letting all momentum be drained following a turnover.

Look in depth to Green Bay’s losses this year, you could argue the greatest demise in those games was self-inflicted harm. Double digit leads being lost within six and two minutes vs the Browns and Bears. Missed kick vs Carolina late, a stalling offense against a Philadelphia team who only mustered 10 of their own points. Along with another two-possession lead in the 2nd half given up vs Denver.

The injuries certainly have not been kind to Green Bay in 2025. Although it is something nobody can control, the loss of players who simply cannot be replaced inhouse has been yet another example of internal struggle.  The loss of those players is truly felt and leaves you with not helping but wondering what it would look like with players like Micah Parsons, Tucker Kraft, Devonte Wyatt, Jayden Reed, and Elgton Jenkins on the field.   

There are multiple ways to comprehend what we’ve seen. As previously explained, it has resulted in 5 losses and extends much further than just this season. The other way to look at it is nobody is beating Green Bay. With the biggest football still to be played, Green Bay has proven to be able to beat anyone, as well as lose to anyone.

Going into the playoffs as a potential 7 seed almost allows some form of carefree confidence for this Packers team. Yet despite being a underdog going into most of those playoff games, Green Bay will still have to execute should they possess a lead.

The never-ending looming of worst-case scenario reflects in most Packers fans due to continuous heartbreak and situations you didn’t believe were possible until they happen. In a year where Green Bay has seemed to only lose games in that fashion, as well as players to season ending injuries, a lot has been left to ponder about.

Perhaps these all have been shaping the Packers into being able to handle anything and not let the fear of the worst be all that dooming after all.

The #Packers losses in review:
• Led Browns 10–0 with 6 mins left — INT & blocked FG
• Tied with Carolina before a walk-off FG
• Shut out for 3 quarters vs. Philly
• Coughed up a nine-point 3Q lead vs. Denver
• Blew a 10-point lead vs. CHI in the final 2 mins/OT

Horrible.

— Kyle Malzhan (@KyleMalzhan) December 21, 2025

The #Packers will likely be the 7th seed for the 3rd straight year.

In each of those 3 seasons there were at minimum 2 games and as many as 5 games they had no business losing.

Not just upsets, but multiple total collapses.

It's just so frustrating knowing this team should be…

— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) December 24, 2025

“I think I’ve seen this film before, and I didn’t like the ending.”

3 plays. So similar.

2014 NFC Champ Game ➡️ 2025 Chicago pic.twitter.com/gJ9lPup2xa

— Hunter Baumgardt (@hunterbonair) December 21, 2025