The time is finally here: Wild Card week. The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears will square off for the third time this season. The division rivals split their matchups earlier this season, both filled with late-game dramatics. The Packers won the first battle in Week 14 by a score of 28-21. Keisean Nixon came away with a late, game-sealing interception. The Bears came back and won the second clash by a score of 22-16. The Packers held a 16-6 lead at one point, but a botched onside kick and blown coverage allowed the Bears to come back and eventually win. The first two matchups have been cinematic, and round three is set up to be just as exciting as the first two.

The Packers aren't exactly entering the playoffs with much momentum. They are riding a four-game losing streak, which started with their loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 15. It was the same day they lost the heart and soul of their defense, Micah Parsons. They also had several other key players get injured that day, with the injuries continuing to linger. That said, the Packers chose to get some of their key players rest yesterday against Minnesota. They will head into next weekend as healthy as they’ve been in weeks.

The Bears head into next weekend having lost their last two games, their last win coming against Green Bay. They lost an epic shootout against San Francisco in Week 17, and then lost in a walk-off fashion against the Detroit Lions yesterday afternoon. Chicago’s last two games have been both physically and emotionally draining, so they won’t be entering the playoffs rested and refreshed either.

Next Saturday’s game should be a fun one. Green Bay undoubtedly wanted to play Chicago again instead of traveling to Philadelphia. At the same time, Chicago probably would rather host Green Bay than either San Francisco or Los Angeles. Both teams got exactly what they wanted. The Packers haven’t exactly played inspiring football as of late, but they have shown they have what it takes to beat this Bears team. They need their best players to be at their best, but they could also use a boost from some new and fresh faces. Here are some under-the-radar players who have a chance to make an impact in the playoffs:

Packers HC Matt LaFleur on Jonathan Ford:

"He's a massive human. I'm looking forward to seeing how much he's progressed over the course of a year from when he was last here."

— Jason B. Hirschhorn (@by_JBH) December 31, 2025

Jonathan Ford

The big defensive linemen could definitely provide some help to Green Bay’s run defense, something they desperately need to stabilize. The Packers allowed 683 yards on the ground during their four-game losing streak, including 216 to Derrick Henry. Jordan Riley, whom the Packers were excited about, just went on IR last week. The Packers also decided to move on from Quinton Bohanna after he was being blown off the ball on every snap. That leaves Colby Wooden, Karl Brooks, Warren Brinson, and Nazir Stackhouse as the only other healthy options. At this point, the Packers will take any healthy body they can find that doesn’t get pushed five yards back on every play.

The Packers drafted Ford in the seventh-round of the 2022 NFL draft. The big defensive linemen spent about two and a half years on Green Bay’s practice squad before being signed to the Chicago Bears’ active roster. Now that he’s back with the Packers, Ford knows he has a chance to make an impact, and he can do it against his former team. “[Covington] told me you got a big shot this week. Opportunity to go out there and show that you can help us in the playoffs, and that’s all I want to do is just go and help this team as much as I can.”

Ford isn’t going to come in and solve all of Green Bay’s issues in the run game, but his size and experience in Hafley’s defense can’t hurt. Both Wooden and Brooks are getting worn down. Brinson and Stackhouse have lacked consistency. Chicago has a very physical rushing attack, so it won’t be easy, but it’s not out of the question. Ford just needs to come in and hold his own, which he did yesterday. Over the 30 snaps that Ford played, held up decently at the point of attack and ate up some blocks. He even recorded two tackles. That’s all the Packers can really ask for. He isn’t a pass rusher or a disruptive presence on the interior, but he’s a big body who just can’t get pushed backwards. If Ford can do that, Green Bay’s defense will benefit.

Really nice first NFL start for #99 Barryn Sorrell!

The Packers rookie 4th round pick looks and plays like an NFL starter. pic.twitter.com/GF7a9h8IND

— Daire Carragher (@DaireCarragher) January 5, 2026

Barryn Sorrell

Ever since Micah Parsons went down with a torn ACL, the Packers have been looking for anyone to step up on the edge. Rashan Gary hasn’t made an impactful play since Week 9. Kingsley Enagbare has made a few splash plays, but they’ve been few and far between. Lukas Van Ness is starting to get healthier, but he won’t solve all of the problems either. That leaves Barryn Sorrell. Sorrell hasn’t made much of an impact throughout the season, but he hasn’t had many opportunities. Sorrell’s first big opportunity came yesterday in Minnesota, and he took advantage.

The rookie edge rusher finished yesterday’s game playing ___ snaps. He recorded eight total tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss, and a fumble recovery. Sorrell held up well against the run, including a third-down stop where he was able to tackle Ty Chandler for a one-yard loss. He was a part of five run stops on the day. Sorrell also flashed as a pass rusher, recording one of the Packers' two sacks and three pressures. Sorrell was happy with his performance, and the Packers had to have been as well. "I think that was the thing going into this game," Sorrell said after the game. "Knowing we all got our opportunity, and we want to make the most of it. I'm happy with what I put on tape."

It’s important to keep things in perspective: Sorrell still will be fourth on Green Bay’s edge depth chart. He’s not going to come in and replicate what Micah Parsons did. But Sorrell doesn’t need to do that. He just needs to play his role at a high level. If Sorrell can carry any of last week’s successes into next week’s game, the Packers would certainly welcome it with open arms. If Rashan Gary isn’t going to make an impact, maybe Barryn Sorrell can.

Watch those blinds spots, Diggs pic.twitter.com/gPJtXPHnLj

— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) January 5, 2026

Trevon Diggs

Green Bay’s cornerback room is beaten, battered, and broken. Kamal Hadden and Nate Hobbs both were both placed on IR last week. Keisean Nixon has been playing some of his worst football of the season. Carrington Valentine might have found himself in the coach’s doghouse after his embarrassing display of tackling. Even Javon Bullard and Bo Melton left Sunday’s game banged up. Enter Trevon Diggs.

The Packers acquired Diggs last week on waivers after the Cowboys decided to release the former All-Pro cornerback. Diggs had been struggling to stay healthy, but even when Diggs was healthy, he wasn’t playing very well. But for the Packers, they’ll take whatever help they can get. The Packers took a chance on a veteran corner with elite ball skills, and the early returns are encouraging.

The Packers got to see Diggs in action yesterday, and his debut went about as well as it could have. Per PFF, the veteran corner was only targeted once and didn't allow it to be caught. He also showed physicality when tackling, recording three tackles on the day. After the game, Matt LaFleur said Diggs can “absolutely” help the Packers in the playoffs, and they may even consider starting him next week. "You have no idea of how it's going until you look at the tape," he says. "I think it was good for him to just hear some of the calls, get acclimated with our defense, and I think we can build on that going into this week."

Diggs might not have the same impact that Rasul Douglas had when the Packers brought him in midway through the 2021 season, but he should get the opportunity to make his mark. He could go out there next week and be terrible, but that’s not really any worse than what the Packers were getting from Valentine and Nixon. Diggs has the pedigree and experience to make an impact on this defense. He also seems to be in the right mindset. "Green Bay is a wonderful place,” Diggs said after the game. “It feels like a family here. These guys, I have a lot of my old teammates here, and everything feels tight. I’m clicking with all the guys. It’s perfect."

Diggs looked very comfortable in his first game in Jeff Hafley's defense https://t.co/o5YjMepkHG pic.twitter.com/DLaj7KqyS6

— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) January 5, 2026

Jakobie Keeney-James

This addition to the list might be grasping for straws, but Keeney-James is at least worth consideration. The range of outcomes for Keeney-James is as wide as anyone on the roster. He may not even play next weekend. The Packers may end up releasing him from the active roster and hope to get him back to the practice squad. The other possibility is that Keeney-James could end up opening the playoffs as Green Bay’s primary returner. The rookie wide receiver lined up as both the punt and kick returner yesterday in what was his NFL debut. With Savion Williams and Bo Melton both banged up, Keeney-James could find himself thrust back into action next weekend in Chicago.

Keeney-James’ debut as a return man wasn’t anything special, but neither are Green Bay’s special teams units. Keeney-James returned two kicks on the day for an average of 23.5 yards per return. He made a mistake on one of the kickoffs by taking a knee while one of his feet was outside of the end zone, which resulted in a touchback, but the Packers got the ball at the 20-yard line instead of the 35. It was a rookie mistake by the rookie return man.

Keeney-James possesses the skill set and physical traits to be a quality returner. He’s listed at 6’0”, 190 pounds, and moves very well. He ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash and tested very well in the agility testing. Keeney-James looked very comfortable catching both kickoffs and punts, moreso than Romeo Doubs and Savion Williams. A change wouldn’t be the worst thing, since the Packers rank 23rd in average kick return yards and 32nd in average punt return yards. If the opportunity comes, Keeney-James could provide a much-needed lift to Green Bay’s return units.