Packers' Season Ends in Heartbreak After Shocking Playoff Defeat to the Bears
A Brutal Ending to a Promising Night
This was certainly not the ending Green Bay Packers fans had hoped for. The Packers were favored going into Saturday’s game at Soldier Field. They led 21-3 at halftime and still had an 18-point advantage near the end of the third quarter before everything started to fall apart, ending in a 31-27 score.
This loss in particular carried historic weight. The Bears had not won in a playoff game against the Packers since December of 1941, just one week after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Bears’ last postseason win before Saturday came in 2010 against the Seattle Seahawks, only to be followed by an NFC Championship loss to the Green Bay Packers the following week.
The Void Left by Micah Parsons
The absence of Micah Parsons was glaringly obvious as the game wore on, particularly when it became crucial for the Packers to make a big defensive play to win. Parsons usually creates those moments, forcing the defense to rely more heavily on coverage than pressure. Losing him to a season-ending Achilles tear in week 15 against the Denver Broncos was truly the beginning of the end for Green Bay’s 2025 season.
LaFleur and McManus in the Spotlight
The aftermath of Saturday’s Wild Card matchup has put head coach Matt LaFleur and Kicker Brandon McManus under heavy scrutiny. For LaFleur, the loss was another reminder of how thin the margin truly is in January. Green Bay had several chances to create breathing room, but just never did.
McManus also endured a difficult night, missing multiple kicks and leaving 7 points on the field. In a four-point playoff loss, those missed opportunities are incredibly hard to overlook.
Where the Packers Go From Here
This loss is forcing the Packers to take a hard look at what comes next. Green Bay has ultimately reached a point where explanations matter less than results. They reached the postseason and put themselves in position, but ultimately failed to finish when the pressure was on.
Jordan Love’s growth and development do offer some optimism. However, it does not change the fact that this team needs a better execution plan for critical moments. This season, injuries took their toll, and now Green Bay has to prove it can rise above them and come back stronger next season.