Tag: Green Bay Packers

With little at stake, Packers and Vikings take aim at goals

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A pair of division rivals have differing agendas as they prepare for their regular-season finale.

The Green Bay Packers want to get healthy heading into the playoffs, where they already have clinched a wild-card berth. This weekend’s game will do nothing to change their No. 7 NFC playoff seed.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings want to put a final stamp on this season as they look toward 2026. They see the final game of this season as an opportunity for players to make a case for prominent roles next season.

So, in the big picture, Sunday’s game between Green Bay (9-6-1) and Minnesota (8-8) in Minneapolis means little in the standings but could mean a lot for both teams and their futures, be it short term or long term.

“We’re still in that wildly significant time where any and all reps and experience (matter),” said Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell, whose team is on a four-game winning streak. “It’s another home game at U.S. Bank Stadium. All those things are important.”

Nothing is more important than health for the Packers.

Green Bay has no shot at the NFC North division title after the Chicago Bears claimed that last week. The Packers know they will open the playoffs on the road next weekend, with the opponent and starting time to be determined.

Packers quarterback Jordan Love participated in practice to start the week but remained in the league’s concussion protocol. Backup Malik Willis, who has started with Love out, was limited to start the week with a shoulder injury.

The dual injuries prompted Green Bay to sign quarterback Desmond Ridder to its practice squad on Wednesday. Ridder, 26, has not played this season but has appeared in 25 games with 18 starts across parts of three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and Las Vegas Raiders.

Packers coach Matt LaFleur was tight-lipped when asked about his starting quarterback for Sunday.

“Here’s what I told the team,” LaFleur said. “We have 53 spots on our roster. You can have two call-ups. You have 48 dressed on game day. So there’s going to be some starters that aren’t going to play. Shoot, they may not suit up, they might suit up. And then you’re going to have some starters that are going to play. So, basically, you guys will find out on Sunday who’s playing.”

There is far less mystery in Minnesota, where J.J. McCarthy is set to make his 10th start in his first season of NFL action. McCarthy missed all of last season because of a knee injury.

The 22-year-old has shown flashes of his ability this season, but he also has struggled with consistency. He has passed for 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in his first nine games, and the regular-season finale could help the Vikings determine how much competition they want to bring in to challenge for the starting role in 2026.

McCarthy’s top target is Justin Jefferson, who needs 53 receiving yards to reach the 1,000-yard mark for the sixth straight season. Jefferson also is looking for his first touchdown since Nov. 2.

Packers running back Josh Jacobs is 71 rushing yards shy of a 1,000-yard campaign, but he has dealt with a knee injury in recent weeks and could be a candidate to rest. He was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. Backup running back Emanuel Wilson has 452 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the season.

–Field Level Media

Packers, Bears take fierce longtime rivalry into spotlight

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Chicago Bears will be looking to solidify their lead in the NFC North when they host the injury-riddled Green Bay Packers on Saturday in the second meeting in three weeks between the longtime rivals.

The Bears (10-4) are a game behind the Los Angeles Rams for the best record in the NFC, have a half-game lead over the Packers (9-4-1) in the NFC North. The Bears are just 1-3 in the division, while Green Bay is 4-0.

The Packers defeated the Bears 28-21 at home two weeks ago, but Green Bay lost more than a game by falling 34-26 at Denver on Sunday when all-pro edge rusher Micah Parsons went down with a season-ending knee injury.

Chicago routed the Cleveland Browns 31-3 at home Sunday to regain the division lead behind two touchdown passes from Caleb Williams and three interceptions by the league’s best take-away defense. The Bears have forced 30 turnovers this season.

“There doesn’t need to be much of a message here this week,” Bears coach Ben Johnson said Tuesday. “They know what’s at stake.”

The loss of Parsons with a torn ACL will weigh heavy on the Packers. Parsons, who had 12.5 sacks after being acquired from the Dallas Cowboys in a blockbuster trade before the start of the regular season, was injured without contact while chasing Broncos quarterback Bo Nix in the third quarter.

The Green Bay defense already was without run-stuffing tackle Devonte Wyatt, who went down with a season-ending ankle injury on Thanksgiving against the Lions.

“We’re not focused on anything other than what’s in front of us and that’s the Chicago Bears,” Packers coach Matt LaFleuer said.

In the first meeting between the teams, Green Bay’s Jordan Love completed 17 of 25 passes for 234 yards with three touchdowns, including two to Christian Watson. However, Watson also left the Broncos game with a chest injury and his status is uncertain, although he practiced Wednesday with limited participation.

“He’s fighting to play, for sure,” said LaFleur, who is 12-1 against the Bears. “Ultimately, it’s just going through the process and kind of seeing where he’s at and then he’s got to prove it.”

The Bears trailed 14-3 at the half in the first meeting after gaining just 71 yards before halftime to 207 for the Packers. They dominated after the break to pull even at 21 midway through the fourth quarter.

After Josh Jacobs’ 2-yard touchdown run put the Packers up 28-21 with 3:32 remaining, the Bears drove from their own 26-yard line to the Green Bay 14 before the Packers’ Keisean Nixon secured the win with an interception of Williams in the end zone on fourth down with 22 seconds left.

In addition to their 30 takeaways, the Bears lead the NFL with a plus-20 turnover differential. Chicago also averages 26.1 points on offense and 369.1 yards gained per game, while giving up 24.1 points and 345.5 yards.

Williams has completed 58.0% of his passes, while averaging 225.0 passing yards per contest, with 21 touchdowns and six interceptions. D’Andre Swift leads the Bears’ ground attack with 935 yards and seven touchdowns, while Kyle Monangai has 681 yards and five TDs.

Chicago wide receiver Rome Odunze, who has missed the last two games with a foot injury, did not practice Wednesday, nor did receiver Luther Burden III (ankle).

Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (groin), tight end Cole Kmet (ankle, knee), and running back D’Andre Swift (groin) were listed as limited.

The Packers average 24.9 points on offense and 341.9 yards per game, allowing 20.1 points and 394.6 yards.

Love has completed 66.4% of his passes for 236.0 yards per game with 23 touchdowns and six interceptions. Jacobs paces the ground game with 890 yards rushing with 13 touchdowns. Jacobs (knee) did not practice Wednesday.

Among other key Packers injuries, offensive lineman Zach Tom (back/knee) and safety Evan Williams (knee) did not practice Wednesday.

“We saw them two weeks ago, you saw what type of game it was,” LaFleur said. “Went right down to the end, obviously. I felt like we were in control for the most part in the first half. It can flip quickly in our league in regards to how fast the game can kind of go the other way.”

–Field Level Media

Report: Packers WR Christian Watson avoids major injury

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Packers wideout Christian Watson avoided a major injury in Sunday’s devastating defeat in Denver, NFL Network reported on Monday.

Micah Parsons, Green Bay’s star pass-rusher, is believed to have sustained a torn left ACL during the 34-26 loss to the Broncos.

Watson, who missed the first six games this season while rehabbing his own torn ACL, left with 12:55 remaining in the third quarter with an apparent chest or shoulder injury that required a trip to the hospital.

Watson, 26, sustained the injury on a deep pass that was intercepted by Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II, who landed on Watson while making the catch.

Watson had three catches for 29 yards at Denver and has 28 receptions for 481 yards and five touchdowns in eight games (all starts) this season.

A second-round draft pick in 2022, the speedy Watson has recorded 126 catches for 2,134 yards with 19 TDs in 46 career games (43 starts).

–Field Level Media

Lions, Packers clash with playoff implications on menu

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Detroit Lions have scored more points than any other NFC team. The Green Bay Packers have allowed the second-fewest points among conference teams.

Detroit’s annual Thanksgiving Day home game will likely come down to whether its explosive offense can solve Green Bay’s stout defense.

The pivotal NFC North showdown will have major postseason implications for both teams. Playing on a holiday with a national audience adds to the intrigue.

“Big-time opponent, really good team, division game, Thanksgiving, first game on,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “You couldn’t ask for anything better.”

Right now, Campbell’s team doesn’t even hold a wild-card spot despite a 7-4 record. It trails the first-place Chicago Bears by a game in the division with the Packers (7-3-1) sandwiched between them.

Green Bay’s defense held visiting Detroit to 246 yards in a season-opening 27-13 Packers victory.

Detroit barely escaped against the two-win New York Giants on Sunday, rallying for a 34-27 overtime victory. Jahmyr Gibbs had 264 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns, including a 69-yard scoring run in overtime.

Campbell hopes to use that game as a springboard for a strong finish.

“I just think when you’re able to come back and win a game in that fashion, it speaks volumes of your team and where you’re at,” Campbell said. “I think it’s good for you to get those. You need one or two of those a year because you’re always tested. Every team gets tested. Those are tough. You’re down two scores in the fourth. To be able to do what we had to do in all three phases, I do think it can pay dividends for you.”

Jared Goff is averaging 261.2 yards passing in home games with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. Counterpart Jordan Love, who is playing with a separated left (non-throwing) shoulder, hasn’t reached the 200-yard passing mark in his last three games and four of his past six.

Love threw for 188 yards in the Packers’ opening-night win over the Lions with two touchdowns. Now, he’ll have to face Detroit in a hostile environment.

“It’s always a test,” Love said. “Obviously, playing them — it’s always a great environment, a very loud environment. We’ve been there before and we know what it’s about. Communication has got to be on point.”

The Packers haven’t allowed more than 20 points in any of the last four games and they enter on a two-game winning streak. They manhandled Minnesota 23-6 on Sunday, holding the Vikings to 145 total yards while collecting five sacks and forcing three turnovers.

“Coming off two wins is great — it’s always going to build confidence,” Love said. “Two weeks that we did what we needed to do. We know what we’ve got in front of us … but with the level we’re at, we’re in a great spot.”

With Josh Jacobs sidelined by a knee injury for Green Bay, Emanuel Wilson rushed for a career-high 107 yards and two scores against the Vikings. Jacobs is questionable for Thursday.

“We’ll just see how he’s feeling on game day,” coach Matt LaFleur said.

Defensive linemen Karl Brooks (ankle) and Lukas Van Ness (foot) missed Tuesday’s practice, as did kick returner Savion Williams (foot).

Detroit safety Kerby Joseph (knee) won’t play on Thursday. Center Graham Glasgow (knee), tight end Brock Wright (neck) and wide receiver Kalif Raymond (ankle) missed Tuesday’s practice.

The Lions snapped a seven-game Thanksgiving Day losing streak last season by defeating the Bears 23-20. Green Bay will be making its third straight Thanksgiving appearance. It defeated the Lions in 2023 and downed Miami last year on the holiday.

–Field Level Media

Emanuel Wilson, Packers stifle Vikings to begin NFC North gauntlet

Posted on | by Field Level Media

GREEN BAY — Injury replacement Emanuel Wilson ran for a career-high 107 yards and two touchdowns to pace the Green Bay Packers to a 23-6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in an NFC North matchup Sunday.

Wilson, filling in for injured starter Josh Jacobs, was the first 100-yard rusher this season for Green Bay. Jacobs, who injured his knee last week against the Giants, was limited at practice, then declared inactive shortly before the game.

Green Bay (7-3-1) entered a half-game behind division-leading Chicago and a half-game ahead of defending division champion Detroit. The game against Minnesota was the first of five against division rivals in a seven-game span.

Minnesota (4-7) managed just 145 yards of total offense in its fifth loss over the last six games.

J.J. McCarthy, making his sixth career start, completed 12 of 19 passes for 87 yards and two interceptions with a passer rating of 34.2. McCarthy was under near-constant pressure and sacked five times.

Jordan Love completed 14 of 21 passes for 139 yards for Green Bay. Christian Watson had five catches for 49 yards.

The Packers capitalized on a muffed punt by Myles Price on the first series of the third quarter to go in front 17-6. Green Bay recovered at the Vikings 5-yard line and two plays later, Wilson scored from 1 yard out.

Brandon McManus added field goals of 30 and 40 yards to extend the lead to 23-6.

Will Reichard’s 59-yard field goal with 10 seconds left in the half pulled Minnesota within 10-6.

Green Bay stopped Jordan Mason short on fourth-and-1 and responded with a 68-yard drive ending in Brandon McManus’ 32-yard field goal for a 10-3 lead with 2:25 remaining in the second quarter.

Reichard’s 52-yard field goal on the opening series put Minnesota in front 3-0.

The Packers took a 7-3 lead on their first possession on a 1-yard touchdown run by Wilson. Love set up the score with an 18-yard pass to Dontayvion Wicks.

–Jim Hoehn, Field Level Media

Packers open 21-day practice window for WR Jayden Reed

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed is participating in Friday’s practice, signifying that team has opened the 21-day window for him to return from injured reserve.

Reed has been sidelined since undergoing surgeries for a collarbone injury sustained during a win against the Washington Commanders in September and a foot injury sustained during the preseason.

Reed, 25, caught three passes for 45 yards and a touchdown in Green Bay’s season-opening win over the Detroit Lions. He didn’t record a catch in Week 2 against the Commanders before exiting the contest.

A second-round pick in 2023, Reed has 122 career receptions for 1,695 yards and 15 touchdowns in 35 games for the Packers.

–Field Level Media

Packers score late, hand Giants 5th straight loss

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jordan Love threw for two touchdowns and Christian Watson caught a pair of scores as the Green Bay Packers defeated the New York Giants 27-20 on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J., stopping a two-game losing streak.

Green Bay (6-3-1) overcame multiple injuries and a string of special teams miscues to win for the first time since Oct. 26. Love connected with Watson for the go-ahead TD with 4:02 left in the game.

Devin Singletary ran for two touchdowns and Jameis Winston rushed for another score, but it wasn’t enough as the Giants lost their fifth straight, and first under interim coach Mike Kafka.

Evan Williams intercepted Winston in the end zone with 36 seconds left. New York regained possession in the final moments, but Micah Parsons forced a fumble on a sack and Rashan Gary recovered it, ending the game.

New York (2-9) took a 20-19 lead with 7:22 remaining as Winston, starting at quarterback with Jaxson Dart sidelined with a concussion, capped a 15-play, 85-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run.

Backup quarterback Malik Willis entered the game for the Packers during the team’s second possession, punctuating the drive with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Watson with 13:54 remaining in the second quarter.

Love started the possession and carried twice for seven yards but injured his left shoulder during a scramble. Lucas Havrisik, active for the first time since Week 7 while Brandon McManus works through a quad injury, missed the extra point, his first of two misses in the game.

Love returned to the huddle to lead a touchdown drive on the next Packers possession. Filling in for Josh Jacobs, who left the game with a knee injury, Emmanuel Wilson scored on an 11-yard run.

Love was 13 of 24 for 174 yards. Wilson and Jacobs both rushed for 40 yards and Romeo Doubs had four catches for 53 yards.

Winston was 19 of 29 for 201 yards and an interception. Tyrone Tracy Jr. gained 88 yards on 19 carries and Isaiah Hodgins had five catches for 57 yards.

New York drove 65 yards in nine plays on the game’s opening possession, scoring on Singletary’s 5-yard run. Winston hooked up with Wan’Dale Robinson and Hodgins for separate 20-yard completions.

The Packers have won nine of the past 14 meetings with the Giants.

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (11) catches a second quarter touchdown pass against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Wm. Glasheen-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Packers WR Jayden Reed has clavicle, foot surgeries

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Green Bay Packers wideout Jayden Reed is recovering from surgeries on his broken clavicle and a Jones fracture in his left foot.

Reed underwent the operations Tuesday for a collarbone injury suffered last Thursday in a win against the Washington Commanders and a foot injury sustained in the preseason.

“Successful foot & clavicle surgery thank you God,” Reed posted on X.

Appearing on Instagram Live from his hospital bed, he said the Packers (2-0) are still going “to the (Super) Bowl.”

“I’m good, thank you for the prayers, bruh,” Reed said after the double surgery. “But we turnt, bruh, we going all the (expletive) way, bruh.”

In the first quarter on Thursday, Reed got hurt while extending to make a 39-yard catch that appeared to put the Packers on the board first. However, a holding penalty negated the touchdown.

Reed, 25, caught three passes for 45 yards and a touchdown in Green Bay’s season-opening win over the Detroit Lions. He didn’t record a catch in Week 2 before exiting.

A second-round pick in 2023, Reed has 122 career receptions for 1,695 yards and 15 touchdowns in 35 games for the Packers.

While Reed is sidelined for the next couple of months, Green Bay still has several options in the passing game with wide receivers Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks and rookie Matthew Golden plus tight end Tucker Kraft.

Green Bay will play its first road game of the season on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns (0-2).

–Field Level Media