The Packers’ Superpower: Resilience
With a postseason berth secured, the Packers may have one critical trait no other playoff team can match.
By Mark Ballard
In a past, pre-CheeseheadTV life, I spent some time working with the founders at Life Is Good. If you’re from the Northeast, you’re probably familiar with the brand and their inspirational t-shirts, hats, bumper stickers, etc. The Life Is Good founders, brothers Bert and John Jacobs, are evangelists on the concept of “superpowers”. Their notion is that we all have a special talent (or talents) derived from our unique natural gifts and/or experiences in life.
For the 2025 Packers, that special talent is undoubtedly “resilience”.
Every Packers fan can vividly remember the deflating feeling in Denver, watching Christian Watson land on his shoulder. In a millisecond, we all processed that moment the exact same way – our beloved player – our offensive spark plug – the young guy who had overcome so many injuries, was down, again, motionless. The game, the Packers’ 9-point lead, and the unfolding Surtain interception, none of that mattered – the only thing any Packers fan cared about was number 9.
And then Parsons went down.
Buckled on a non contact play in full view of the cameras, we all knew, immediately: Parsons was done. If Watson was the catalyst for the Packers’ offense, Parsons was certainly the same (and then some) for the Packers’ defense. He had been taking over games to the point where Lambeau Field was playing “Enter Sandman” to hype his game-closing impact.
Going into the Denver game, Packers fans were still coming to grips with the crushing losses of Tucker Kraft and Devonte Wyatt. Now they had the torment of Parsons and Watson to contend with – and ps, Zach Tom and Evan Williams were also banged up in the Mile High Massacre.
It was enough to wonder: did we Packers fans do something really bad in a past life? What did we do to deserve this much torment and misfortune?
After a couple days of feeling sorry for ourselves, Packers fans got some rare good news: yes, Parsons was done, but Watson might be ok. In fact, he was practicing!
Hope springs eternal in Packerland and with a looming date with the rival Bears, the Packers had little time to feel sorry for themselves. But that hope quickly crashed again. Barely into the 2nd quarter of the Soldier Field rematch, Jordan Love got concussed and was done for the day. Losing their quarterback, the Packers' adversity had turned to absurdity, and to quote boxer Roberto Duran: "No Mas".
Still, despite the loss of Love, and to this team's incredible credit and resilience, they nearly won the game. A heroic effort by Malik Willis and the Packers' Parsonsless defense was only undone by a few critical late game mistakes, handing Chicago an undeserved victory.
For a franchise that has suffered some ugly, gut-wrenching losses in its modern era, this one ranked among the very worst.
And yet, still, despite this Chicago horror show – still – despite this almost unimaginable stretch of injury, bad luck, and non-stop Why-Are-You-Testing-Me-God? challenges — still, the 2025 Packers remain standing. And not only are the Packers still standing – yesterday, on Christmas Day, thanks to a loss from the Detroit Lions, the Packers have again clinched a playoff berth.
Yes, these Green Bay Packers, these never give up, never-say-die, next man up Green Bay Packers are somehow, some way, in the 2025 NFL playoffs. And they now have two weeks to get healthy (and maybe even win the North).
As they begin to prepare for their postseason run, these Packers possess a superpower – resilience – that differentiates them from every other team in the field. After all, what team has overcome more than this Packers team? Nobody. What other team has had their backs against the wall like these Packers? Nobody. What hasn't this group seen or overcome? They’re almost zombies at this point. They can’t be killed.
Adversity builds character. It brings people together. These Packers have that in spades. It's basically their DNA at this point, and I suspect these character tests and team unity will matter greatly when the lights are brightest, when the fights are toughest, and when all the cards are down.
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Mark Ballard is an obsessive Green Bay Packers fan, born in Buffalo Bills country, but raised right by a Mom from Rice Lake, WI. You can find him on X at @ballark
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Comments (24)
ricky
December 26, 2025 at 10:15 am
This sounds good. But all coins have two sides, and there are the unforced errors that are so maddening. Then again, if the Packers can stop the self-inflicted wounds, win the last two games, and maybe even win the North, the playoffs are where they can show that the rest of the season is just a warm-up. What counts is what you do when it is one loss and done. Just ask Eli and the Giants, who managed to do it twice.
the_gavia_pass
December 26, 2025 at 10:17 am
the others do not have????? are you sure you're watching the NFL???????
49ers are playing without Warner and Bosa, perennial dpoy....
the writers level Is going down fast and deep on cheesehead tv
KenEllis
December 26, 2025 at 11:11 am
As you note, SF lost its best 2 defensive players early in the season.
It also played all season without its best WR (Aiyuk), and several other WRs have been injured throughout the season. TE Kittle has constantly been hurt and the 49ers are down a starting offensive lineman.
Oh and the starting QB Purdy has missed more than 1/2 the games this season … but SF is 11-4 and playing for the #1 seed.
When MLF recently and correctly said nobody around the NFL cares or feels sorry about the teams injuries he was obviously overlooking the excuse makers who cover the team.
13TimeChamps
December 26, 2025 at 12:38 pm
"… but SF is 11-4 and playing for the #1 seed."
I agree what SF has done this year with its injuries is impressive. At the same time, with all GB's injuries, had Doubs just hung onto that onside kick, GB would be 10-4-1 and in first place in the North.
The difference? Shanahan is being praised for persevering through adversity, while on this site anyway, "fans" are calling for MLF's head for doing the same exact thing. How does that make sense?
MainePackFan
December 26, 2025 at 01:16 pm
13Time, I was browsing through the comments and came across this and had to sign in to give you a thumbs up. You are absolutely correct. Too many Packers fans give MLF no Love. It's a shame really.
mjbrogno
December 26, 2025 at 10:25 am
The Raven game still has some bearing for the season. I would rest players that would benefit from the additional time to heal. It will still take three playoff wins to get to the Super Bowl. Yes, a playoff home game would be great but, beating the Bears in Chicago would be sweeter revenge than winning at Lambeau. Thank you Detroit for having a S****y season.
dobber
December 26, 2025 at 11:42 am
"Yes, a playoff home game would be great but, beating the Bears in Chicago would be sweeter revenge than winning at Lambeau"
Yeah, sweet or not I'd still much rather have that game at Lambeau.
"Thank you Detroit for having a S****y season."
As someone living in a Lions market, it's been sweet.
Lions gear went on clearance last week.
SicSemperTyrannis
December 26, 2025 at 12:05 pm
It's a complex tactical decision. In hindsight, it's easy to say #8 needed some time for his knee to heal. It'd be possible to say rest anyone questionable to have a better chance to win on wildcard weekend. It will be interesting to see what they do ...
TXCHEESE
December 26, 2025 at 10:44 am
I would say that the "resilience" comes from a deep roster. People can whine and moan about BG, but the Packers sport a pretty deep roster at most positions.
I think GB has to play the Ravens game to win. In the event of a Chicago loss, they could leap frog Chicago in week 18.
SicSemperTyrannis
December 26, 2025 at 12:07 pm
Agreed, I don't see how you can do anything but play to win now.
GregC
December 26, 2025 at 12:25 pm
Yep, if you have something to play for, you play to win. Plus they need to wash away the bad taste of that loss to the Bears.
LambeauPlain
December 26, 2025 at 01:21 pm
I agree! Enter the playoff portal with momentum.
Don't back in like they did last year when they could not improve its seeding with the last two games. As a result they played like it was a scrimmage practice as they were out coached and out played by two Division Opponents. That "losing momentum" continued at the Eagles in the Wildcard.
stockholder
December 26, 2025 at 11:09 am
Love this -
Resilience comes from good coaching.
Thank you- MLF!
Think about this comment
Bill Belichick): "Players win games... without great players, coaches are simply whistle-jockeys".
It's true.
And the biggest failure by management = has been; lack of great players on the defense.
I get the patience is thin.
But there are NO #1s on this offense.
It's been next man up all season.
Thats resilience, and it only happens when a coach gets the most out of a unit.
EricTorkelson
December 26, 2025 at 12:49 pm
Stock, a couple of posts ago you claimed R Walker is a number #1
splitpea1
December 26, 2025 at 11:24 am
A couple of our pass rushers are going to need to find some superpowers if we want to win in the playoffs. Hafley can only do so much, so it's up to these guys to step it up and beat their man with sacks, not just the occasional pressure or hit. Praying for a sustained miracle here... The secondary needs to start capitalizing on interception opportunities as well.
EricTorkelson
December 26, 2025 at 01:01 pm
Split, I think the key now is to play heavy ( Cox, Wooden, Riley, LVN ) I thought that combo gave them the beef, they lacked with the ( Gary, Wooden, Brooks, Parsons ) group. You will get the muscle-bull rush with this group also. Use Gary on 2nd long 3rd long move him around on the line ala Parsons. Brinson, Enagbare, Sorroll gives them quality depth and more size and muscle... Win at the line now they stoned the Bares, Hafley needs to keep it going..
SicSemperTyrannis
December 26, 2025 at 12:00 pm
Over the PA, "introducing, the Green Bay ZOMBIES"
Lol I'm having trouble finding the appropriate theme song, but turning up some fun finds. There's a talented studio group, The Mummies. (No that doesn't work) Zombie by the Cranberries is about the IRA. The Zombies was a group in the 60's - nothing appropriate I can find there.
Here's a fun rendition of Ain't No Grave https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OYaz9yWLEWg
Packerlifer
December 26, 2025 at 12:02 pm
Talk about resilience. Today is the 60th anniversary of the 1965 Colts-Packers "sudden death" overtime playoff for the NFL Western Conference title. Without this one the "three-peat run of 1965-67 doesn't happen.
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=1965+Colts-Packers+...
GregC
December 26, 2025 at 12:28 pm
They didn't look very resilient at the end of the Bears game--or the end of the Broncos game for that matter--but I guess this is what we gotta go with. To their credit, the offense got back on its feet after a couple of bad games following the loss of Tucker Kraft. The defense needs to do the same after losing Parsons. They blitzed a lot more than I thought they would against the Bears, and it almost worked, but maybe the blitzes got too predictable at the end. I think they will need to generate some pressure with four pass rushers at least some of the time.
Not sure why the author thinks the Packers have had their backs against the wall this season. I don't think that's been the case at all. They started 2-0, and the worst they've been is 2-1-1.
Leatherhead
December 26, 2025 at 01:29 pm
Quite a few things have to line up to make the playoffs, and advance, and that certainly includes the ability to adjust to who's available for practice and games any given week.
It hurts to lose Kraft, but Musgrave isn't a terrible replacement.
It hurts to lose Jenkins, but Belton has filled in on the line.
It hurts to lose Parsons.
It hurt to lose Watson, and Reed. It hurts to lose Walker and VanNess and Wyatt. But the guys behind them have played well enough for us to have a chance.
And a chance is all you can ask for. If it's the 4th quarter, and you have the ball in your hands with a chance to win the game, that's what you play for.
pantz_bURp
December 26, 2025 at 01:32 pm
I just looked into my Packer Stock(ings) and found a fortune cookie.
I ripped open the wrapper, ate the cookie and read the message:
"A diamond was once a chunk of coal that did well under pressure."
9.8 meters/second (squared),
Burp
Packerpasty
December 26, 2025 at 01:33 pm
This some heavy duty green & gold kool-aid, this article……
LambeauPlain
December 26, 2025 at 01:57 pm
Labelling the Packers as resilient would have more identity if they won one of the last two games...or at least by finishing off the bares in the 4th qtr. after the disaster vs the broncos.
However in support of Mark's "resilient" label, looking at the entire season, after they lost to the Browns and tied the cowgirls, they won three in a row. Then after losing two in a row to the Panthers and the Eagles, they ripped off 4 W's straight.
Bit of trend that after losing two consecutive games, they seem to turn it on. Well, just lost two in a row again!! The stage is set for a redux of the 2010 season when the won two straight to finish the regular season to get a playoff ticket. That team then ripped off 4 more for the Lombardi.
I do note they are also discouraging "non-finishers" too many times. Can't hold a lead and seem to find ways to lose or tie winnable games this season in jaw dropping fashion. The 5 losses and one tie were all winnable and influenced many observers to think their talented roster is less than the sum of its parts leaving too many wins on the field.
They aren't wrong. Too many self inflicted wounds at critical times.
Let's see if the coaches can do their best work of the season to get the players do theirs.
the_gavia_pass
December 27, 2025 at 06:49 am
the NFL is not about resilience it's about SB and ring.
we forgot that in GB and it's 15 years we are not in the SB.
we all know gutey Is good at signing good players but he is bad at finding great players and Is great at missing 1st round picks.
that Is why he had to trade for parsons.
Ed Policy needs to go back to vince Lombardi mentality, SB or nothing.
and lafleur has proven enough to be a very good HC but not a great one, he panics in the big moments. and on top of that his play style Is boring, very boring, we are missing a lot the great vertical play style of Mike McCarthy.
So I Say It again, please CLEAN the house Mr Policy.