Packers ready for new start in
playoffs after closing regular season with four straight losses
[January 06, 2026]
By STEVE MEGARGEE
The Green Bay Packers believe their lack of momentum heading into
the postseason shouldn’t make much of a difference now that they’re
in the playoffs.
Green Bay’s recent history tells a different story.
Two years ago, the Packers won their last three regular-season games
to sneak into the playoffs and then upset the Dallas Cowboys in the
wild-card round before squandering a fourth-quarter lead at San
Francisco in the divisional round.
Last season, the Packers dropped their final two regular-season
games and then lost 22-10 at Philadelphia in the opening round of
the playoffs.
Now the Packers (9-7-1) are heading into the postseason on an even
longer slide after losing their last four games. That skid included
a 22-16 overtime defeat on the road against the Chicago Bears, the
team the Packers will face Saturday night in the wild-card round of
the playoffs.
“I’m definitely confident in everybody in this locker room,” safety
Evan Williams said after the Packers’ 16-3 loss at Minnesota on
Sunday. “I feel like we have all the pieces necessary to get this
done, go all the way. I think it’s just about playing with the edge,
playing with that little bit of extra energy.”
There’s not much to read into the Packers’ performance Sunday since
they rested most of their top players to assure they’re as healthy
as possible for the playoffs. But the three losses leading up to
Sunday’s game offer cause for concern.
Green Bay blew second-half leads at Denver and Chicago and allowed
307 yards rushing while falling 41-24 at home to the Baltimore
Ravens. The Packers defense struggled without Pro Bowl pass rusher
Micah Parsons, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament at Denver.
But being in control most of the way in their loss at Chicago gives
them reason to believe they can beat the Bears (11-6) this time
around. The Packers and Bears split their two regular-season
meetings, with the home team winning each time.
“I think our guys are excited,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said.
“They’re excited for the challenge. They’re excited for the
opportunity. And that’s how we’re going to attack it, and that’s our
mindset. Because right now, when you get to the postseason,
everybody’s 0-0. It’s a, I mean, it’s a clean slate, so we have an
opportunity, and that’s all you can ask for.”
What’s working
After the Packers lost WR Christian Watson to a torn ACL in their
2025 regular-season finale, their main objective for this game was
to avoid any major injuries. They accomplished that for the most
part.
What needs help
Resting their starters means the Packers could be dealing with a
rust factor as they head into the postseason. QB Jordan Love hasn’t
played since a helmet-to-helmet hit in the second quarter of the
Dec. 20 loss at Chicago sent him into concussion protocol. He has
since been cleared, but that long layoff is concerning. … Green
Bay’s run defense also must perform much better. The Packers allowed
150 yards rushing against Chicago and then got steamrolled by
Baltimore’s Derrick Henry, who ran for 216 yards against the
Packers. The Vikings gained 137 yards on 31 carries against a Green
Bay defense that consisted primarily of backups.
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Green Bay Packers head coach Matt Lafleur watches from the sideline
during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota
Vikings, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ross D.
Franklin)
Stock up
Just four days after the Packers claimed him off waivers from the
Dallas Cowboys, CB Trevon Diggs played nearly half the defensive
snaps Sunday and performed well. LaFleur didn’t rule out the
possibility of starting Diggs against the Bears. “I think
everything’s up for discussion,” LaFleur said. … DL Barryn Sorrell
and DL Brenton Cox capitalized on their increased playing time. Each
of them recorded a sack. … P Daniel Whelan averaged 53.9 yards on
his eight attempts. He landed five of his eight punts inside the
Minnesota 20-yard line and had one touchback.
Stock down
WR Matthew Golden played the entire game but had just one catch for
8 yards, though the Packers attempted only 11 passes. The rookie
first-round draft pick finished the regular season with 29 catches
for 361 yards and no touchdowns.
Injuries
WR/CB Bo Melton left the game after hurting his knee in the second
quarter. S Javon Bullard also hurt his knee late in the game, though
LaFleur and Bullard both expressed confidence he’d be ready for the
playoffs. “I’m good,” Bullard said after the game.
Key number
4 — The Packers are the fourth team ever to reach the playoffs after
losing at least four straight games to close the regular season. The
others were the 1986 New York Jets, 1999 Detroit Lions and 2024
Pittsburgh Steelers. The only team in that group to win a playoff
game was the Jets, who beat the Kansas City Chiefs in a wild-card
matchup before losing to Cleveland in overtime in the divisional
round.
Next steps
This will be the third time the Packers and Bears have faced off in
the postseason. The Bears won a Western Division playoff game over
the Packers 33-14 at Chicago’s Wrigley Field on Dec. 14, 1941. The
Packers beat the Bears 21-14 in an NFC championship game at Soldier
Field on Jan. 23, 2011.
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