Packers Collapse In Chicago, 31-27
Another playoff heartache for the Packers, this time to their biggest rival.
A suddenly disjointed offense. A defense out of gas, and out of stops. And a special teams unit that’s an abject failure.
The Green Bay Packers wrote the recipe over the last decade for playoff collapses, and Saturday night in Chicago they served another gut-wrenching performance in a 31-27 Wildcard loss to the Bears.
“This one is going to hurt for a really, really, long time,” coach Matt LaFleur said via packers.com. “When you are in complete control of a football game and the script gets flipped in the second half . . . We had opportunities to put them away and we didn’t get it done.”
The Packers entered halftime in complete command of the game, 21-3, even after a forgivable Brandon McManus miss from 55 yards in windy conditions. After all, McManus had been flawless since regaining his health from a mid-season quad injury.
Instead of serving as an inconsequential footnote, the miss foreshadowed the second-half meltdown. McManus missed another field goal and an extra point in the second half. Jordan Love, behind an offensive live that couldn’t move bodies in the run or pick up a blitz in the pass, would only lead one scoring drive in the final 30 minutes despite seven possessions. And the defense, which held tough in the third quarter, fell apart in the fourth allowing the Bears to score 25 points in the comeback.
“A lot of bad things happened,” LaFleur lamented. “I think a pivotal part was we came out in the second half and just could not get anything going. It was too many opportunities when you have the ball and you’re not scoring.”
The Green Bay offense gained one first down on its first four second-half possessions and nine total yards. LaFleur said he didn’t change his playcalling despite the 18-point lead.
“They brought more pressure so we started to go to more of our drop-back protections. They started firing corner blitzes and safety blitzes, and unfortunately there were multiple occasions where they should’ve been picked up and weren’t.”
Despite ample opportunities, Chicago’s offense failed to take advantage in the third quarter. Three drives – one set up by a 37-yard punt return – only amounted to six points. Bears kicker Cairo Santos was a perfect 5-of-5 kicking on the night (three field goals, two extra points), in stark contrast to McManus.
“Obviously one of those kicks was a long kick at the end of the half the conditions were windy,” LaFleur said. “But the difference was, they made theirs and we did not.”
The dam leaked in the third quarter; it busted wide open in the fourth.
A quick seven-play drive by the Bears brought the game back to a one-score difference, 21-16. Love, on his fifth drive of the half, finally regained his groove and the Packers answered with six after McManus missed the extra point, 27-16. Matthew Golden scored the 23-yard touchdown on a wide receiver screen and some broken tackles. It was the rookie’s first touchdown of the season.
However, Williams had found his rhythm. The first overall pick crafted his own “4th & 8 From the 48” when he broke the pocket to his left and completed a tight-window pass to Rome Odunze up the sideline for 27 yards. Five plays later, he registered his first touchdown pass of the game plus a two-point conversion, 27-24.
“He’s a guy that’s tough to contain,” LaFleur said. “The whole plan was to eliminate his ability to go right – that’s what he likes to do. But certainly he made a heck of a play, heck of a throw.”
The Packers could only respond with the 44-yarder barely pushed right by McManus. Before the kick, the offense inexcusably took a delay-of-game penalty coming out of a timeout on third-and-10. Chicago inevitably scored a touchdown on its ensuing drive for the 31-27 lead. The defense burned a timeout on the drive after a substitution error.
Love regained possession down four on his own 28 with 1:36 remaining, and just the one timeout. A fourth-down conversion to Golden kept the drive alive, but a deep drop by Jayden Reed two plays letter negated any real chance at a game-winning touchdown.
For good measure, center Sean Rhyan was injured with no timeouts remaining and a running clock as Green Bay reached the Chicago 23-yard line. An extra 10 seconds ran off as Lecitus Smith – the team’s third-string center to start the night – entered in the game’s waning seconds since backup Arthur Monk was injured in the first half. Love dropped the game’s final snap from his new center, before recovering the ball and throwing a heave to the end zone that fell incomplete.
The Packers suffered a much more critical injury earlier in the half, which had become the norm the last month of the season. Edgerrin Cooper left the game on the second drive of the second half and did not return. Despite the early exit, he still led the team in tackles with eight, and deflected a fourth-down Williams pass at the line of scrimmage in the first half.
Love started out scorching with three touchdown passes to three different receivers: Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Reed. Love finished 24-of-46 for 323 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions – good for a 103.8 quarterback rating.
Doubs was reliable all night after his onside gaff a month ago. He snagged eight catches for 124 yards and the score, including an impressive one-handed reception on third down. Golden finally saw more targets (five), and caught four of them for 84 yards and the touchdown.
LaFleur will enter the final year of his contract next season, and new CEO Ed Policy has said he doesn’t want a coach in a lame duck year. LaFleur declined to address his contract status when asked multiple times after the game.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.
__________________________
Jocelyn Hopkinson is a contributor for CheeseheadTV and can be found on Twitter at Packer_FIB
__________________________
Comments (35)
ThunderFromDownunder
January 11, 2026 at 01:21 am
I have seen this movie before , I am pretty sure it`s a horror movie cos it`s scared the hell out of me.
KenEllis
January 11, 2026 at 01:22 am
Feel bad for Nagler and the rest of the Cheesehead staff.
All these years of excuse-making, reflexive defense of MLF, and attacking those who dared criticize the Head Coach's greatness all came crumbling down in one excruciating collapse in Soldier Field.
What were your favorite MLF moments during the past 7 years?
BabeParilli
January 11, 2026 at 01:45 am
Answer: Getting to 2 NFC Championship games with Rodgers, in spite of Gutekunst destroying the Packers receiving corps and the Packers not drafting a receiver in the 1st round since 2002.
Getting to an NFC Championship will never happen with Gutekunst as General Manager and Jordan as QB.
Lafleur's play calls and schemes set up Jordan Love in the first half and allowed Jordan to succeed and pad his stats with easy throws. Jordan dropped back to pass 16 times in the first half and the Packers ran the ball 16 times.
In the 2nd half Jordan attempted 31 passes and completed 15 - a MISERABLE 48.3% completion %!!!
in other words JORDAN CHOKED - AGAIN like against the Eagles last year and the 49ers the year before - with the game on the line. He is mentally asleep - there is no energy or awareness there - Jordan is slow making decisions and this in part explains his low completion percentage in the 2nd half.
SHOCKINGLY, The Packers ran the ball just 7 times in the 2nd half despite having a 21 to 6 lead coming into the 2nd half.
Of the 14 quarterbacks in the playoffs Rodgers has the lowest pressure % (sacks, hurries and knockdowns as a % of drop backs.) - 15%. And this is with the 1st and 2nd string left tackles injured and out and a 3rd string left tackle - and undrafted free agent - starting the last 5 weeks.
Rodgers - like other top quarterbacks - is able to do this because he makes smart and fast decisions.
Jordan Love is the polar opposite, despite top picks on receivers, running backs, tight ends, and offensive lineman, Jordan is just what he was in college - slow in processing the field and clumsy and lacking agility or awareness in the pocket.
If the Packers run more times than Jordan drops back to pass the Packers beat the Bears tonight, but they didn't.
In Lafleur’s first 3 years with Jordan as starting QB, Jordan is now 11 wins 19 losses and 1 tie in games where Jordan drops back to pass more than the Packers run - that is a ABSYMAL 37.1% winning percentage!!!
The NFL is still a passing league you cannot be a Super Bowl contender with a quarterback who after 3 years has an ABSYMAL 37.1% winning percentage when the team passes more than it runs in games!!!
In Lafleur’s first 3 years with Rodgers as starting QB, Rodgers was 34 wins and 12 losses where Rodgers dropped back to pass more than the Packers ran – that is a 73.9% winning percentage.
SinceLombardi
January 11, 2026 at 10:30 am
So we draft a WR in the first round and don’t use him until now. Gutekunst and LeFluer are 1 & 1A
SinceLombardi
January 11, 2026 at 06:05 am
It’s now becoming just plain bad theatre. It’s no longer shocking, but expected. It doesn’t make me angry, just disinterested. No longer hopeful, just resigned.
Seven years of being punched in the mouth and never punching back. Paper tigers, toothless, overrated, middle tier, take your pick. They all fit.
CheeseWhiz1
January 11, 2026 at 01:21 pm
Well said . Did anyone truly feel confident with that lead at halftime. Knowing this team I sure didn’t . MLF has been given his chance. It’s truly time to clean house . Looking forward to next year, GPG.
CheeseWhiz1
January 11, 2026 at 01:32 pm
There are some interesting coaching prospects out there. Stefanski, Saleh, Daboll to name a few.
Lare
January 11, 2026 at 02:05 am
If you liked watching this year, come back next year and you can watch it all over again.
SinceLombardi
January 11, 2026 at 05:37 am
There is no doubt about that. If Ed Policy doesn’t recognize that it’s the HC and extends his contract the LeFailure will continue.
Seven mostly disappointing years. Seven years of poor special teams, offense that can’t perform under pressure, and defense that always collapses when a stand is needed.
You can go position by position, or player by player..but the two constants are the HC & GM. There is a faction that feels this HC is somehow untouchable and would be scooped up if fired. He’s Mike McDaniel with a slightly better roster.
Bearmeat
January 11, 2026 at 02:21 am
Since 2000, there have been 5 playoff losses in OT, and another 5 with a lost 4th Q lead resulting in a 7 point or less loss.
We are playoff cursed. Just sad.
SicSemperTyrannis
January 11, 2026 at 04:12 pm
I can't attribute poor performance to any type of "curse," playoff or otherwise. Under MLF's tenure it's not entirely due to him choking in big moments, but that's always been at least part of it.
BabeParilli
January 11, 2026 at 02:43 am
Rewatching the game.
Caleb Williams in the clutch played like a franchise QB against a tired Packer defense - tired due to Jordan leading 3 three and outs and a 1 five and out on the other of the first 4 Packer possessions of the 2nd half - and the loss of Edgerrin Cooper to injury hurt the Packer defense as well.
And Jordan Love in the clutch played like a career backup.
Jordan Love 15 of 31 in the 2nd half - MISERABLE 48.3% completion percentage.
First 4 Packer Possessions at the start of 2nd half:
3 and out. Punt (3rd quarter)
3 and out. Punt (3rd quarter)
5 and out. Punt (3rd quarter)
3 and out. Punt (4ht quarter)
Jordan 3 completions on 10 pass attempts (including the creative Lafleur play call pass to Kinnard) over these 4 possessions - a miserable 30% accuracy!!.
Just 3 runs over those 4 possessions, including a nice 6 yard run by Jacobs on 2nd and 4 for the only first down on the 4 possessions.
And who were the 2 penalties on during these 4 possessions??
Jordan Love - twice for intentional grounding!
Even if the Packers did not score on these 4 possessions if Jordan could have sustained 1 or 2 drives on these 4 possessions the Packers could have taken 5 or 10 more minutes off the clock.
Over those 17 inept Jordan Love minutes instead of Jordan putting the game out of reach for the Packers the Bears wore down the Packers defense, but the Packers defense still held their own and a 21-6 lead at half was still 21-9 when Whelan punted with 12 minutes and 54 seconds left in the 4th quarter.
And then another penalty on Jordan for delay of game - pushing McManus field goal attempt - which McManus would miss narrowly - back 5 yards!
And the only score that Jordan was to lead the Packers to in the ENTIRE 2ND HALF - WITH THE GAME ON THE LINE - was only possible because Jacobs kick return set the Packers up at their 45 yard line and a short field for Jordan.
Jordan played like he played in the 4th quarter against the 49ers in 2023 and the Eagles last year - lowest passer rating in playoff game in Packers history.
In this game, Lafleur's creative 1st half play calls set up easy throws for Jordan that any of us could have completed - including 3 of 4 of the TD passes - these padded Jordan's stats, and on paper made Jordan's performance look better than it was. Jordan completed just 24 of 46 pass attempts - that is 52.1%
Take away those 1 and 7 yard TD passes to Doubs and Watson and the short toss to Golden that Golden turned into a 23 yard TD pass by breaking tackles and hurdling tacklers - that was 99% Golden - and that 103,8 passer rating is in the low 80s. Those easy passes and other wide open receivers in 1 on 1 pass coverage are all due to Lafleur's offensive play calling and schemes.
In Lafleur’s first 3 years with Jordan as starting QB, Jordan is now 11 wins 19 losses and 1 tie in games where Jordan drops back to pass more than the Packers run - that is a ABSYMAL 37,1% winning percentage!!!
The NFL is still a passing league you cannot be a Super Bowl contender with a quarterback who after 3 years has an ABSYMAL 37,1% winning percentage when the team passes more than it runs in games!!!
In Lafleur’s first 3 years with Rodgers as starting QB, Rodgers was 34 wins and 12 losses where Rodgers dropped back to pass more than the Packers ran – that is a 73.9% winning percentage.
Lafleur – a very very smart and aware coach – recognized that Rodgers passing accuracy, arm strength, ability to think and quickly process the field, and agility in the pocket and pocket awareness made passing a winning formula with Rodgers as starer so the Packers passed more than they ran in 46 of the 53 games - that is 86.8% - that Rodgers started under Lafleur in Rodgers first 3 years with Lafleur.
Lafleur – a very very smart and aware coach – recognized that Love had poor passing accuracy, weaker arm strength than Rodgers, an inability to think and quickly process the field, and a lack of agility in the pocket and pocket awareness made passing a losing proposition with Jordan as starter so the Packers have passed more than they ran in just 31 of the 52 games – that is 59.6% - that Jordan has started under Lafleur in Jordan’s first 3 years with Lafleur.
Lafleur's record now after 3 years - 52 games - with Jordan as the starter- OVERALL - whether passes exceed runs or runs exceed passes - is 28 wins 23 losses and 1 tie - 54.8% winning percentage.
Lafleur after 3 years - 53 games - with Rodgers as the starter was 41 wins 12 losses - a winning percentage of 77.4%.
Overall 77.4% winning record with Rodgers after 3 years compared to 54.8% overall winning percentage with 3 years of Jordan starting!!
AND JORDAN HAD A TOP 10 Packer Defense in 2 of the 3 years and this year's 11th ranked defense was in the top 10 through week 16 of 18. The Rams allowed only 20 and 19 points in week 17 and 18 relative to the Packers 41 and 16 points allowed after which the Rams overtook the Packers for the 10th position. Rodgers had a top 10 defense just 3 times in his 15 years as a Packer starter.
And Gutekunst has bent over backwards to gift Jordan with 1st 2nd and 3rd round draft choices on wide receivers - including the 1st receiver in Golden drafted in the first round since Javon Walker in 2002 - tight ends, running back, and offensive lineman.
And then Gutekunst way over pays for a great pass rusher in Micah Parsons because Gutekunst knows Jordan cannot carry the Packers as Rodgers did for 15 years with mediocre and poor defenses.
Jordan is our Carson Wentz.
Malik Willis is our Jalen Hurts.
Trade Jordan like Howie Roseman traded Carson Wentz.
Keep Malik Willis!
Fire Gutekunst!
the_gavia_pass
January 11, 2026 at 02:49 am
they will fire mlf and keep gutey and love because this franchise Is rotten from the top.
SinceLombardi
January 11, 2026 at 05:46 am
It’s a lot more than Jordan Love’s inability to play under pressure. The franchise is heading in the wrong direction. They need a change. Matt LeFluer does not have the ability to get to that next level. It’s always something.
To watch Nagler condescendingly say LeFluer isn’t going anywhere, was especially nauseating…. Only because it’s true, both figuratively and literally.
Packerpasty
January 11, 2026 at 10:57 am
Nags was probably on his tenth beer so there's that....
jvole
January 11, 2026 at 04:53 am
I'm not really sure what went wrong with the "offensive" in the second 1/2, but it didn't look like receivers were open and the run blocking fell apart. Not sure I'm ready to cast blame on Lafleur or Love until I watch the 2nd half again. One thing is clear---The Oline is a major mediocrity on this team.
But who would have guessed that special teams would have lost a game for us?
SinceLombardi
January 11, 2026 at 05:53 am
Please, you can watch all the tape you want. Keep them in a file that reads : Packer collapses under LeFluer. Seven years of choking offense, porous defense and horrible special teams.
There are two constants throughout this seven year disaster. Gutekunst and LeFluer. Seven years. Not two, or five.. seven years of failure, collapse and embarrassment. The Packers are becoming a punch line under LeFluer.
jvole
January 11, 2026 at 06:37 am
Agree on these points. I've said it many times--LaFleur cannot be a play caller and head coach. When team's adjust, he does not and so they lose the second half.
Gman1976
January 11, 2026 at 05:04 am
We will know within 24 hours if next season will be a repeat of this season and the previous seasons.
SinceLombardi
January 11, 2026 at 05:59 am
I think we already know. Unfortunately it will probably take back to back seasons of missing the playoffs to get LeFluer fired. Making the playoffs seems to be good enough for the current board of directors.
Maybe it would take Malik Willis leading the Vikings over the Packers in a wildcard game to shake them up.
Collapse, excuses, disappointment are all synonymous with Matt LeFluer. He’s Charlie Brown trying to kick that ball. And the NFL is Lucy pulling it away, every time.
SinceLombardi
January 11, 2026 at 06:14 am
The first step to fixing a problem, is identifying the problem.
The Packers are not a particularly good team.
The Packers are not particularly well coached.
See how easy that was Mr Policy?
CanPackFan
January 11, 2026 at 05:48 pm
We badly need a strong and football insightful GM like Ton Wolf in the 90s. Someone who will demand football excellence and accountability. Not some kiss as* who got his job by how brown his nose got when talking with the president...
blacke00
January 11, 2026 at 06:58 am
Hold the phone everyone! Take a deep breath. Cool down.
Give this a day or two and then analyze.
What happened in this game also happened in a number of games this past year. Please review those games and see if you can identify what is really wrong.
This is not unlike situations that have happened in past years....that should give you a hint.
It is easy on 1st glance to blame the head coach. Remember, there were injuries to key throughout this past season.
By blaming La Fleur only you may be missing the real elephant in the room.
Get back to us in a couple days after your collective heads have cleared. Hopefully, by then you'll have made the right analysis.
Since'75
January 11, 2026 at 04:03 pm
Correct analysis.....
"We don't use injuries as an excuse, but..........."
CanPackFan
January 11, 2026 at 05:44 pm
You just answered your own question. It keeps happening year after year to this coaching / management group. It's time for CHANGE of the HC and an incredibly incompetent GM!
mjbrogno
January 11, 2026 at 08:35 am
The decision on what Policy should do is a no brainer. No coaching staff should be able to continue after this debacle. Yes, injuries did hurt us but, other playoff teams have injuries as well. When the Packers realize that SP teams are 1/3 of the game that would help. MLF continues to say dumb S**t like they flipped the script on us. Wow, did he not know the bears suck against the pass. Here’s the deal , you’re not going to win in the playoffs if you’re O line and D line are in adequate. I rest my case. Packer nation be safe, enjoy the New year and let’s hope for the best regarding our team.
coolhand
January 11, 2026 at 09:30 am
And Flower said the Bears were blitzing and the line wasn't picking them up? Well who's fault is that? Who coaches the players? Or are the players just not that good. We had a 1st down inside the 1 yard line and tried 2 runs up the middle that went no where. You can't get 1 yard?
I didn't see any play action or quick plays to counter the blitzes. Just the same old shotgun on every play.
Same old sad story with Flower as the HC. And we hear the same old excuses at his post game pressers as well.
I'm really tired of these reruns.
lou
January 11, 2026 at 09:24 am
I have played the game on the high school, college, and military (El Toro Marine Team) levels and after the first three series of the second half I could not believe there was no adjustment to the pressure on Love, the BASIC REACTION is to utilize draw plays and screen plays to slow the rush down. Apparently our genius play caller with all his sophisticated scheme's could not make an in game adjustment. It made me sick to my stomach.
coolhand
January 11, 2026 at 09:33 am
I was thinking to myself that flower was going to lose this game with his lack of adjustments. He has done this his entire coaching career in Green Bay. He was lucky he had Rodgers his first 4 years or this team would never have been in the playoffs.
SinceLombardi
January 11, 2026 at 10:28 am
LeFlounder basically blamed it on the protection schemes in his pitiful post game.
The Bears had every reason to fold.
Down 18 at halftime, and injury after injury. But they have a different culture now.
We don’t.
AntiGravity
January 11, 2026 at 12:51 pm
Can this team draft players to play just one position on the offensive line and let them learn to excel at it? The LaFluke Regime would have Bahktiari (sp?) playing center.
lou
January 11, 2026 at 01:35 pm
"LaFleur's second half has to be on the short list of worst playoff coaching performances this century," Bill Simmons of The Ringer writes.
The Bears adjusted in the second half, and LaFleur had no answer. They had gone man-heavy in the first half, and Jordan Love had no trouble shredding the secondary repeatedly. But Chicago brought more pressure in the second half, and LaFleur failed to learn the lesson.
Where were the quick screens? The easy play-calls to stay ahead of the sticks when the Bears sent extra rushers? LaFleur, and the Packers' offense, went into their shell. As the pressure mounted, they wilted.
Packerpasty
January 11, 2026 at 10:58 am
STEFANSKI.....he put up with a lot of crap from management, he's a good coach....anything is better than the "same old" again next year...
Starrbrite
January 16, 2026 at 11:57 pm
Yes indeed
CanPackFan
January 11, 2026 at 05:41 pm
25 points scored against us in Q4. This will not enhance the polish on Hadleys' apple...