Packers Reeling After Two Costly Losses, But Playoff Hopes Still Alive If They Refocus on the Fundamentals
The Green Bay Packers are in a tough spot. Two straight losses - both games they led by multiple scores - have left a sour taste and a growing injury list.
Blowing a 9-point lead to Denver and a 10-point advantage against Chicago isn’t just frustrating; it’s the kind of back-to-back gut punch that can derail a season if a team lets it. But here’s the thing: the Packers’ season isn’t over.
Not even close.
Despite the recent slide, Green Bay still controls its own playoff destiny. Yes, the path to the NFC North title has narrowed - they’ll need to win out and get some help, specifically from the 49ers and Lions taking care of the Bears - but the door is still open. And in a league where momentum can flip in a heartbeat, that’s all you can ask for in late December.
This Team Has Been Here Before
This isn’t the first time Green Bay has hit turbulence this season. Earlier in the year, after back-to-back losses to Carolina and Philadelphia - games marked by offensive miscues and missed opportunities - the Packers responded with four straight wins.
That’s not ancient history. That’s a team that’s shown it can bounce back when things get tough.
And let’s not overlook just how close they were to pulling off a win against Chicago, even with a roster missing key contributors like Micah Parsons, Jordan Love, Evan Williams, Zach Tom, Tucker Kraft, and Devonte Wyatt. That game was one or two plays away from flipping the narrative. The margins in the NFL are razor-thin, and Green Bay is still playing within that margin.
Fixing the Fundamentals
If there’s one thing that’s clear from the last two weeks, it’s that the Packers don’t need a total overhaul - they need to clean up the basics. The little things have become big problems.
Red zone execution? They went 0-for-5 against the Bears.
Ball security? Josh Jacobs lost a fumble at the two-yard line.
Special teams? Romeo Doubs misjudged a crucial onside kick.
And against Denver, Jordan Love threw two costly interceptions.
These aren’t unsolvable issues. These are fixable, detail-oriented mistakes that championship-caliber teams eliminate in December.
And the good news? The Packers know it.
Jacobs has already emphasized the importance of ball security, especially near the goal line. Doubs owned his mistake after the game, and Matt LaFleur didn’t sugarcoat the red zone struggles in his postgame remarks.
There’s no denial in the building - just a clear-eyed understanding of what needs to improve.
Winning Isn’t Just About the Playoffs - It’s About Identity
Yes, the playoff race is still alive. But this next win - whenever it comes - needs to be about more than postseason math.
This team needs to remember what it feels like to win. They need to reestablish the identity that carried them through their midseason surge: disciplined football, smart execution, and a belief that they can beat anyone when they play clean.
That’s what the Packers are chasing right now. Not just a spot in the playoffs, but a return to the kind of football that got them in the conversation in the first place.
The opportunity is still there. Now it’s about the details - because in this league, the little things are everything.