Special teams struggles early and late-game miscues in the fourth quarter doomed the Green Bay Packers in a 24-22 loss to the Chicago Bears in Sunday’s regular season finale. Jordan Love threw only 12 passes before exiting with injury, Malik Willis wasn’t consistent or effective in the passing game and lost a fumble, and the Packers defense failed to get a late stop.
Based on grades from Pro Football Focus, here are the best and worst players from the Packers’ Week 18 loss to the Bears:
Top 5 offense
1. LG Elgton Jenkins: 80.8
2. LT Rasheed Walker: 79.8
3. RG Sean Rhyan: 79.7
4. RB Josh Jacobs: 76.8
5. RT Zach Tom: 72.9
The offensive line was charged with allowing only seven total pressures, and none of the three sacks taken by Malik Willis were given to the offensive line. Jenkins, Rhyan and Tom all received strong pass-blocking grades, while Walker, Jenkins and Rhyan were excellent in the run game. Walker earned an elite run-blocking grade. Jacobs had two runs over 10 yards, a 9-yard touchdown, 35 yards after contact and five first downs or touchdowns on six carries.
Top 5 defense
1. LB Edgerrin Cooper: 76.2
2. DL TJ Slaton: 76.0
3. CB Carrington Valentine: 74.7
4. S Kitan Oladapo: 73.9
5. S Javon Bullard: 72.6
Cooper missed three tackles, but he also produced a team-high five stops and three pressures (including a QB hit) across 57 snaps. Slaton had two run stops and a strong run defense grade over 17 snaps. Valentine forced a fumble and gave up only two catches against his coverage. Oladapo didn’t give up a catch in coverage and had four tackles without a miss. Bullard created two stops and allowed only 15 yards against his coverage.
Bottom 5 offense
1. WR Christian Watson: 39.3
2. QB Malik Willis: 42.5
3. WR Jayden Reed: 51.9
4. RB Chris Brooks: 52.7
5. WR Bo Melton: 56.6
Watson had a drop and zero catches before exiting with a significant knee injury. Willis took three sacks and lost a fumble. Reed lost a fumble. Brooks had a low pass-blocking grade. Melton missed a block on Reed’s failed fourth down jet sweep and wasn’t targeted.
Bottom 5 defense
1. DE Kingsley Enagbare: 43.4
2. DE Arron Mosby: 45.2
3. LB Isaiah McDuffie: 47.3
4. S Xavier McKinney: 51.6
5. DL Devonte Wyatt: 52.7
Enagbare had only two hurries on 19 pass-rushing snaps and also missed two tackles, and his 15-yard penalty sparked the Bears’ final drive. Mosby missed on two different sack attempts of Caleb Williams. McDuffie was charged with giving up two catches for 47 yards, including D.J. Moore’s 32-yard touchdown. McKinney earned a season-low coverage grade. Wyatt rushed the passer 22 times but had only two hurries.
Special teams
The Packers missed six tackles on special teams, had a poor snap on a punt and gave up a 94-yard punt return for a touchdown. Ty’Ron Hopper, Kitan Oladapo, Carrington Valentine and Eric Wilson had tackles covering kicks or punts. Chris Brooks was flagged for holding on the opening kickoff. Brandon McManus made all of his kicks, including a huge 55-yarder in the final minute.
Quarterback play
Jordan Love: 61.5
Malik Willis: 42.5
Love completed 7 of 12 passes before exiting with an elbow injury. He didn’t have a turnover worthy play, and receivers dropped one of his passes. His average depth of target was just 6.5 yards, and he held the ball for 3.18 seconds on average. Willis completed both of his attempts over 20 yards (2-of-2 for 72 yards) on excellent catches from receivers, but he also took three sacks and lost a fumble. Neither quarterback was credited with a big-time throw.