With a gritty 28-21 win over the Chicago Bears in Week 14, the Green Bay Packers now sit atop the NFC North with a 9-3-1 record. But their grip on the division is anything but secure - and Sunday’s matchup against the AFC-leading Denver Broncos is shaping up to be one of their biggest tests yet.
The stakes are clear. With the Bears hosting the struggling 3-10 Cleveland Browns, Green Bay likely needs a win in Denver to maintain its lead in the division. But the challenge goes beyond just the opponent - the Packers are facing a potential running back crisis heading into this crucial game.
Backfield Uncertainty in Green Bay
The Packers elevated Pierre Strong Jr. from the practice squad ahead of Sunday’s game, a move that signals trouble in the running back room. Josh Jacobs, the team’s leading rusher, has been ruled questionable, while Emanuel Wilson was a late addition to the injury report on Saturday due to illness.
That’s not a small concern. Jacobs has been the engine of the Packers’ ground game this season, racking up 817 rushing yards and punching in 12 touchdowns.
Wilson, the next man up, has chipped in with 351 yards and three scores of his own. If both are sidelined, the Packers will be missing their top two rushing threats at a time when they can least afford it.
Strong, meanwhile, hasn’t logged a single carry for Green Bay this season. He’s a talented back, but stepping into a high-leverage situation against one of the AFC’s top defenses is a tall order.
It’s unclear whether Wilson’s illness could impact other players, but the Packers will be monitoring the situation closely. In a season where depth has been tested across the league, Green Bay can’t afford to lose more key contributors.
Jordan Love’s Moment
With the backfield in flux, the spotlight shifts to quarterback Jordan Love. If the Packers are going to stay in the driver’s seat in the NFC North - and make a real push in January - Love has to show he can carry the offense when the run game isn’t there to lean on.
The good news? Conditions in Denver should be favorable for airing it out.
While much of the country is bracing for wintry weather, forecasts call for partly cloudy skies and a high around 60 degrees at Empower Field at Mile High. That’s about as good as it gets for a December road game in Denver.
Love has shown flashes this season, but Sunday presents a different kind of test - facing a top-tier opponent on the road, potentially without his top two running backs. It’s the kind of game where franchise quarterbacks show they can rise above the circumstances and put a team on their back.
This is the stretch of the season where playoff contenders separate themselves. For Green Bay, it starts with finding a way to win in Denver - and that likely means Jordan Love stepping into the spotlight and delivering when it matters most.