The air in Chicago was basically ice on Saturday night, the kind of cold that makes every hit sound like a car crash. For three quarters, it looked like the Green Bay Packers were going to coast. They had that "we own this rivalry" swagger back. But by the time the clocks hit zero, the final green bay score of 27-31 told a much darker story for the Cheesehead faithful.
Heartbreak. That’s the only word for it.
You've probably seen the box score by now, but it doesn't quite capture the sheer collapse that took place in this NFC Wild Card matchup. Jordan Love looked like a superstar for thirty minutes. Then, the wheels didn't just fall off; they disintegrated.
The Tale of Two Halves: How the Final Green Bay Score Slipped Away
Honestly, the first half was a masterclass. Jordan Love, returning from a concussion that kept him out of the final stretch of the regular season, showed zero signs of rust early on. He was surgical. He found Christian Watson for a 7-yard score to start things off, and by the time halftime rolled around, Green Bay held a commanding 21-3 lead.
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It felt over. The Bears hadn't won a playoff game in fifteen years, and Caleb Williams looked like a rookie playing under too much pressure.
But then the fourth quarter happened. It was a 25-point barrage from Chicago that turned a blowout into a funeral. The final green bay score was largely dictated by a Green Bay offense that went completely stagnant in the third quarter, managing just one first down over four possessions. That’s where the momentum died.
Key Plays That Ruined the Night
- The Golden Touchdown: Rookie Matthew Golden caught a 23-yard TD pass to put Green Bay up 27-16 with about six minutes left. It should have been the dagger.
- The McManus Meltdown: Brandon McManus missed the extra point after Golden’s score. Then, with a chance to basically seal the game later, he pushed a 44-yard field goal wide right.
- The Williams to Moore Connection: With 1:43 left, Caleb Williams hit DJ Moore for a 25-yard touchdown. That was the go-ahead score that Green Bay couldn't answer.
Why the Final Green Bay Score Matters for 2026
This wasn't just another loss. It was a franchise-record collapse—an 18-point lead evaporated in the biggest game of the year. When you look at the final green bay score, you have to look at Matt LaFleur’s play-calling. It got conservative. It got scared.
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The defense, which had been harassing Williams all night, suddenly couldn't stop a nosebleed. They let the Bears march 66 yards in just over a minute for the winning score.
Jordan Love by the Numbers
Despite the loss, Love’s individual stats were actually insane. He finished with 323 passing yards and four touchdowns. Zero interceptions. In almost any other universe, those numbers get you a win. But football isn't played in a vacuum.
On the final play of the game, with Green Bay at the Chicago 28-yard line, Love fumbled the snap. He recovered it, scrambled, and heaved a desperation ball that fell incomplete as the clock hit zero. That image—Love scrambling in the dark Chicago night—is what Packers fans will be seeing in their nightmares until September.
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What’s Next for the Green Bay Packers?
The season is over. The Packers finish with a 9-8-1 record, a disappointing end to a year that held so much promise after a hot start. Now, the questions start. Is Matt LaFleur the right guy to lead this team through the postseason? Why can't the special teams unit find a kicker who can hit a clutch 40-yarder?
The final green bay score against Chicago is going to be the catalyst for a lot of difficult conversations in the front office.
If you're a fan looking for a silver lining, it’s that Love is clearly the guy. He’s elite. But as we saw on Saturday, an elite quarterback can't always overcome a total team meltdown in the fourth quarter.
Actionable Next Steps for Packers Fans:
- Watch the All-22 tape: If you want to see where the defense broke down in the fourth, look at the safety rotations on the Moore touchdown.
- Monitor the Kicking Market: Expect the Packers to be very active in looking for Brandon McManus’s replacement through free agency or the draft.
- Check the Salary Cap: With Love’s massive extension on the books, keep an eye on how they restructure veteran deals to bring in defensive help this offseason.
The 2025-2026 season ended in the worst way possible for Green Bay, but the window is still open. They just need to figure out how to finish a game when it actually counts.