Jan 5, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago Bears place kicker Cairo Santos (8) kicks a 51-yard game-winning field against the Green Bay Packers during their football game Sunday, January 5, 2025 at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Bears end pair of losing streaks with last-second FG vs. Packers

Cairo Santos drilled a 51-yard field goal on the final play of the season finale as the Chicago Bears broke a 10-game losing streak by edging the host Green Bay Packers 24-22 on Sunday afternoon.

The Bears’ win also snapped the longest active winning streak by a team over one opponent. Chicago had lost 11 in a row to Green Bay.

Caleb Williams moved the Bears (5-12) 47 yards to set up Santos’ heroics after Brandon McManus’ third field goal, a 55-yarder, had given Green Bay (11-6) a 22-21 lead with 54 seconds remaining.

Williams went 21 of 29 for 148 yards and a touchdown to DJ Moore, who caught nine passes for 86 yards — including an 18-yarder in the final 15 seconds before the game-winner.

Though they finished with a fourth straight losing record, the Bears won to prevent a team-record 11th consecutive loss in a single season and were victorious for the first time on the road (1-7).

Packers quarterback Jordan Love went 7 for 12 for 69 yards but left in the Packers’ fifth series with a right elbow injury and did not return.

Three plays earlier, Green Bay lost wide receiver Christian Watson, who was carted off the field with a right knee injury.

Malik Willis relieved Love and was 10 of 13 for 136 yards as Green Bay ended the season with consecutive losses.

Pro Bowler Josh Jacobs notched his eighth straight game with a rushing score, breaking Paul Hornung’s team record of seven set in 1960.

On a harmless punt seemingly headed inside the Chicago 10, returner Moore moved way to his left as if fielding the ball near that boundary. Yet the ball actually went far to the right and away from the coverage team, and Josh Blackwell caught it and dashed untouched 94 yards at 6:34.

Love helped the Packers answer by taking them 52 yards. McManus connected on a 37-yard field goal at 2:24.

Cornerback Jonathan Owens’ fumble recovery set up Chicago’s next score, a 4-yard run by D’Andre Swift for a 14-3 lead with 14:17 before halftime.

Jacobs’ record-setting run from 9 yards made it 14-10 at 11:12, and McManus made it 14-13 at the half with a 30-yard kick.

In the fourth, Williams found Moore for a 32-yard catch-and-run with 10:02 remaining for a 21-13 Chicago lead, but Green Bay’s Emanuel Wilson rambled 21 yards at 4:28 in response. Willis’ two-point pass was knocked down.

–Field Level Media

Oct 27, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) scrambles as Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) pursues during the first half at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

Packers QB Jordan Love (groin) ‘realistic’ to not practice, then play vs. Lions

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love gives himself a “realistic” chance to play Sunday against the visiting Detroit Lions, even if he doesn’t practice all week because of a groin injury.

Love didn’t practice on Wednesday, when he was limited to being a spectator and rode an exercise bike during the stretching period. He had strained his groin and exited in the second half of the Packers’ 30-27 victory last Sunday over the host Jacksonville Jaguars.

“Yeah, obviously not practicing during the week is not the ideal format for trying to play a game,” Love said on Wednesday. “Like I said, things happen, if that’s the scenario, I know I’ll be fine. But definitely it’s not the ideal scenario for going into a big week.”

Still, Love called it “realistic” that he could be on the field to face the Lions (6-1), who lead the NFC North by a half-game over the Packers (6-2).

Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur will have something to say about Love playing on Sunday, but as of Wednesday he said it “potentially” could happen.

“He’s moving around better,” LaFleur said. “We’ll see, again, we’ll take it one day at a time. Certainly, yeah, we’ll push the envelope with that. I know he wants to play, but we’ll see where he’s at by the end of the week.”

Love said he will try to get back this week, even though the team has a bye next week. Love understands he has to show LaFleur that he is able to protect himself.

“I think just being able to play, move around in the pocket and not trying to hurt myself further by playing … I think that’s what he means by that,” Love said. “But for me, just being able to move around a little bit and just be myself out there playing and not just trying to be stuck in the pocket not being able to move if I need to move.”

If Love isn’t ready to play, Malik Willis will be behind center. Willis had replaced Love in Weeks 2 and 3 when he was out due to a sprained MCL in his left knee, and the former Tennessee Titan entered in the third quarter last Sunday. Love appeared to get hurt in the first quarter and limped through several series.

Love, who turns 26 on Saturday, has passed for 1,547 yards, 15 touchdowns and a co-league-high nine interceptions in six starts this season.

Willis, 25, is 29-of-39 passing (74.4 percent) for 380 yards, three TDs and no picks in four games (two starts) in his first season with the Packers.

Green Bay was without Love at Wednesday’s session as well as running back Josh Jacobs (ankle), cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) and three starting offensive linemen in left tackle Rasheed Walker (knee), left guard Elgton Jenkins (glute) and center Josh Myers (wrist).

–Field Level Media

Oct 27, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

Report: Packers QB Jordan Love (groin) could play vs. Lions

An MRI confirmed that Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love strained his groin in the Packers’ win at Jacksonville, the NFL Network reported Monday.

Love’s status is day-to-day and he has a chance to play in Week 9 at home against the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions (6-1), per the report.

The Packers improved to 6-2 with Sunday’s 30-27 win over the Jaguars.

Love, who was sidelined for two games earlier this season with a sprained MCL in his left knee, appeared to reinjure the knee while throwing an incomplete pass with 11:50 remaining in the first quarter. He later went into the medical tent and returned to the game.

He limped through several series before the team announced he had a groin injury. He was replaced in the third quarter by Malik Willis, who played the rest of the game and guided the final drive that culminated with Brandon McManus’ game-winning 24-yard field goal as time expired.

Love finished 14-of-22 passing for 196 yards and one interception. Willis went 4 of 5 for 56 yards and a touchdown.

Love, who turns 26 on Saturday, has passed for 1,547 yards, 15 touchdowns and a league-high nine interceptions in six starts this season.

–Field Level Media

Oct 27, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) walks into the locker room for half time against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

QB Jordan Love exits with groin injury in Packers’ win over Jaguars

Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love suffered a groin injury and left early in the second half of the Packers’ 30-27 victory over the host Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

Love, who was sidelined for the second and third games of the season with a sprained MCL in his left knee, appeared to re-injure the knee while throwing an incomplete pass with 11:50 remaining in the first quarter. He later went into the medical tent and returned to the game.

He limped through several series before being replaced in the third quarter by Malik Willis, who played the remainder of the game and guided the final drive culminating with kicker Brandon McManus’ 24-yard field goal as time expired.

Love finished 14-of-22 passing for 196 yards and one interception. Willis went 4 of 5 for 56 yards and a touchdown as Green Bay improved to 6-2.

Selected by Green Bay in the first round (26th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft, Love has passed for 1,547 yards, 15 touchdowns and a league-leading nine interceptions this season.

–Field Level Media

Oct 6, 2024; London, United Kingdom; New York Jets coach Robert Saleh reacts against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Robert Saleh joins Packers in ‘fluid’ role

Robert Saleh has joined the Green Bay Packers’ coaching staff less than three weeks after he was fired as the head coach of the New York Jets.

Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur said Saleh will work with the Packers in a “fluid” role, per ESPN. That reportedly entails the defensive-minded Saleh offering advice and perspective to Green Bay’s offensive staff, which includes LaFleur, who is in charge of calling plays.

Saleh spent part of Wednesday’s practice watching the Packers’ offense, per ESPN. LaFleur said Saleh will also work with the team on Thursday ahead of Sunday’s game at the Jacksonville Jaguars.

LaFleur and Saleh have long been friends and were graduate assistants together for the Central Michigan University football team in 2004. Saleh helped LaFleur land his first NFL coaching job in 2008, convincing then-Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak to hire LaFleur as an assistant.

Saleh was fired by the Jets on Oct. 8, two days after a 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London that dropped New York to 2-3.

The Jets entered the season with a presumably solid chance to end a 13-year playoff drought, the longest in the NFL, especially with quarterback Aaron Rodgers returning from a torn Achilles he sustained in the 2023 opener.

But the team sputtered over the first five weeks, and the Minnesota loss prompted owner Woody Johnson to fire Saleh after he went just 20-36 over three-plus seasons as head coach. New York is 0-2 under interim coach and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich and has lost four straight games.

The Jets (2-5) and Packers (5-2) do not meet in the regular season.

–Field Level Media

Oct 6, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Confident Cardinals seek to keep momentum in visit to Packers

The Arizona Cardinals were looking like a team en route to a dismal season before posting a startling victory over the San Francisco 49ers last week.

Now the Cardinals (2-3) have a chance to reach the .500 mark when they battle the host Green Bay Packers (3-2) on Sunday afternoon.

Arizona recovered from a 13-point halftime deficit on the road against San Francisco for a 24-23 victory. Just as impressive was the way it was achieved.

Kyler Murray guided the Cardinals on a 12-play, 73-yard drive for a touchdown and followed up with a 14-play, 75-yard drive for Chad Ryland’s decisive 35-yard field goal with 1:37 left.

Murray’s performance prevented Arizona from falling to 1-4 and staring at another lost season.

“This league is really hard and I was frustrated with just the way we were playing (in the) first half,” Murray said. “… I feel like the score didn’t represent how well we were moving the ball and the way we were playing.

“When I said, ‘This league is hard,’ the margin for error is very tight and I feel like we were not necessarily giving the game away, but we just weren’t capitalizing on the opportunities we had.”

Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson had an interception and fumble recovery in the second half. The sixth-year pro is in his first season with Arizona and had just one total takeaway in his first five NFL seasons (three with the Cleveland Browns and two with the New England Patriots).

Now he feels he is on a team that can make a major jump.

“We’re sitting at 2-3, and I still feel like we’ve got a hell of a football team,” Wilson said. “We’ve got a lot of ball ahead of us, going to continue to take it one day at a time. There’s still something brewing in the desert.”

The Packers are entering a stretch in which they play five of seven at home.

Green Bay is coming off a 24-19 road victory over the Los Angeles Rams. Jordan Love threw two third-quarter touchdown passes to aid the Packers.

Love has thrown six touchdown passes in two games since returning from a knee injury. But he also has been intercepted four times.

“We’ve just got to continue to encourage (him) to take what’s there,” Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur said. “He’s always wanted to push the ball down the field, which I respect. One thing we always talk about is sometimes you’ve got to earn the right to throw it down the field.”

Defensively, safety Xavier McKinney has interceptions in each of the first five games to match the franchise record set by Packers legend Irv Comp in 1943.

“I’m on a mission,” said McKinney, who joined the team as a free agent in the offseason.

McKinney, 26, spent his four seasons with the New York Giants. He has matched his career best of five picks in 2021.

“The guy just has a knack for the football and he’s got great ball skills,” LaFleur said. “He’s very instinctive and smart to allow him to anticipate, to make plays, and then he generally makes the play.”

The Packers had receivers Romeo Doubs (suspension) and Christian Watson (ankle) on the practice field Wednesday. Watson was a limited participant. He was injured against the Minnesota Vikings late last month and sat out against Los Angeles.

Doubs was suspended for the game against the Rams due to “conduct detrimental to the team.” Published reports say he was unhappy with his role.

Defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt (ankle) missed the practice.

Arizona receiver Zay Jones is expected to be active after completing a five-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Right tackle Kelvin Beachum and left guard Evan Brown both sat out practice with hamstring ailments.

The Packers defeated host Arizona 24-21 in 2021 in the most recent matchup.

–Field Level Media

Sep 22, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA;  Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs (87) makes a catch against the Tennessee Titans during pregame warmups at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Packers suspend WR Romeo Doubs for conduct detrimental to the team

The Green Bay Packers suspended starting wide receiver Romeo Doubs for one game for conduct detrimental to the team and he will miss the game Sunday against the host Los Angeles Rams, the team announced Saturday.

Doubs missed practices Thursday and Friday with the team’s explanation as personal reasons. He was listed as doubtful for the game against the Rams (1-3) before the Packers (2-2) placed him on the reserve/suspended list.

“Unfortunately, we had to make the difficult decision to suspend Romeo for this week’s game,” Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said on the team’s website. “His decisions and actions during the week negatively impacted the team and required us to take this action. While we are certainly disappointed, we are confident that we will be able to move forward in a positive manner. Romeo is a valuable member of our team and we look forward to welcoming him back next week.”

ESPN reported that Doubs was not absent because of an injury or a family matter. Sports Illustrated reported that he was unhappy with his use in the passing game.

Doubs, 24, has 12 receptions on 20 targets for 169 yards in starting all four games this season.

The Packers selected him in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Nevada. He has 113 career receptions for 1,268 yards and 11 touchdowns in 34 regular-season games (27 starts). In two playoff games in 2023, Doubs caught 10 passes on 12 targets for 234 yards and one TD.

Doubs figured to get more opportunities on Sunday with starting wide receiver Christian Watson missing practice this week and doubtful for the game because of a left ankle sprain sustained in the loss last Sunday to Minnesota.

Only teammates Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks, with 22 each, have more targets than Doubs’ 20. Watson has eight. Doubs had a team-high 96 targets in 2023.

In other moves Saturday, Green Bay signed cornerback Robert Rochell from the practice squad to the active roster, and elevated fullback Andrew Beck from the practice squad to the active roster for game day.

–Field Level Media

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) celebrates a 16-10 victory agianst the Indianapolis Colts during their football game Sunday, September 15, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Packers QB Jordan Love active, CB Jaire Alexander out vs. Vikings

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love was active for the first time since injuring his left knee in the season opener and is expected to start Sunday against the visiting Minnesota Vikings.

Love practiced all week and was listed Friday as questionable on the injury report, the same status he had the previous two weeks but was inactive for both games.

Love was 17-for-34 passing for 260 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in the season-opening 34-29 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 6 in Brazil. He sprained the MCL in the final seconds.

Malik Willis led the Packers (2-1) to consecutive wins while Love was out, completing 73.5 percent of his passes for 324 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Willis is also averaging 9.5 yards per carry, rushing for 114 yards on 12 carries.

Packers starting cornerback Jaire Alexander (quad) was inactive for the first time this season. He had been listed as questionable, while cornerback Carrington Valentine (ankle) was doubtful. Offensive lineman Jordan Morgan already was ruled out.

They are on the inactive list along with safety Kitan Oladapo, offensive tackle Travis Glover and defensive linemen Brenton Cox Jr. and Colby Wooden.

Alexander, 27, started the first three games for the Packers and had 11 tackles and two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown.

The Vikings (3-0) list of inactive players: quarterback Brett Rypien, linebacker Ivan Pace Jr., wide receiver Trishton Jackson, defensive lineman Levi Drake Rodriguez, offensive tackle Walter Rouse and cornerbacks Fabian Moreau and Dwight McGlothern.

–Field Level Media

Sep 22, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA;  Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) look on during pregame warmups before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Reports: Packers QB Jordan Love to start against Vikings

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love is expected to start against the visiting Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, three-plus weeks after he sprained the MCL in his left knee, according to multiple reports.

Love practiced all week and was listed Friday as questionable on the injury report, the same status he had the previous two weeks but was inactive for both games.

Love, 25, said that he felt like he was “close” to being ready to start last week at Tennessee. He was limited in Friday’s practice and wore a brace on his left knee.

He had four total touchdowns in his last start against the Vikings, including one on the ground.

“I’m trying to push it and I’ve been trying to get back as fast as I can no matter who the opponent was,” Love said.

Love was 17-for-34 passing for 260 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in the season-opening 34-29 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 6 in Brazil. He was injured in the final seconds.

Malik Willis led the Packers to consecutive wins while Love was out, completing 73.5 percent of his passes for 324 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Willis is also averaging 9.5 yards per carry, rushing for 114 yards on 12 carries.

Packers quarterback Sean Clifford, who had been elevated to the active squad to serve as Willis’ backup the previous two weeks, remained on the practice squad Saturday.

Last season, Love went 9-8-0 in starting all 17 regular-season games. Love completed 64.2 percent of his passes for 4,159 yards and 32 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. He also rushed 50 times for 247 yards and four TDs.

The Packers reached the second round of the NFC playoffs, as he was 37 of 55 (67.3 percent) for 466 yards, five TDS and two picks.

Love signed a four-year, $220 million contract extension in July, including $155 million guaranteed and a then NFL-record $75 million signing bonus. Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys has since received an $80 million signing bonus.

–Field Level Media

Sep 6, 2024; Sao Paulo, BRA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws during the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Neo Quimica Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Packers list QB Jordan Love as doubtful vs. Colts

The Green Bay Packers downgraded quarterback Jordan Love from questionable to doubtful on Saturday for their home opener Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.

Love suffered a sprained MCL in his left knee in Green Bay’s Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil and did not practice this week. Yet on Friday, he was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game despite not being medically cleared to play, according to coach Matt LaFleur.

The Packers haven’t ruled him out nor have they placed Love on injured reserve, which would require he miss at least four games.

LaFleur had previously said the Packers would not place Love on injured reserve as they went “day to day” with his evaluation.

Love, 25, was helped off the field with six seconds left in the 34-29 loss to the Eagles Sept. 6. He went 17-for-34 passing for 260 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Malik Willis was elevated to the starting role until Love’s return. Willis, 25, was acquired from the Tennessee Titans on Aug. 26 for a 2025 seventh-round draft pick and was the No. 2 quarterback behind Love entering Week 1.

Green Bay elevated quarterback Sean Clifford from the practice squad on Saturday to be Willis’ backup if Love is ruled out.

–Field Level Media