Windy City Gridiron
A little less than two weeks ago, the Bears put up a valiant effort against the Green Bay Packers in Lambeau Field but came up short. We all know that this is the NFL and there are no moral victories, but the way the team performed was certainly a confidence booster to know what level this team can play as it heads towards the playoffs.
The Packers are back; this time, it’ll be at Soldier Field in Chicago. The winner of this game will be sitting in first place in the NFC North, so with so much on the line, we sat down with Justis Mosqueda from Acme Packing Company (SB Nation’s Green Bay Packers site) to get the Packers’ perspective heading into this game.
1. We have to start with Micah Parsons. Do you think this ends the Packers’ Super Bowl hopes?
I’m going to be honest: It’s never been more over.
There are still games to be played (we would need some help from others to miss the postseason even if we lose out), but expectations have certainly shifted with the fan base. The staff is saying all the right things, but it’s just tough to imagine the team overcoming season-ending injuries with tight end Tucker Kraft, center Elgton Jenkins, Parsons and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt…and then going on a four-game run in the postseason…all while Josh Jacobs is dealing with a nagging knee injury and there being other injuries on the roster, too.
If there is a Super Bowl to be won (DOUBT), Packers fans are going to have to see it unfold on a game-by-game basis. I don’t think anyone believes they actually have a solid chance to get it done with how the roster is set right now.
2. How do you think the defense will perform without Parsons?
Jeff Hafley will probably change the defense’s structure up a little bit and go back to what they were doing in 2024, when the team was blitzing and disguising a lot more. This year, the Packers have mostly only sent four pass rushers because teams were getting the ball out quickly. Without Parsons, opposing offenses should hold onto the ball a little longer.
The combination of Parsons and Wyatt being out, along with Lukas Van Ness dealing with a lingering foot issue, really hurts their pass-rush. Those are their three best pressure players, as Rashan Gary has seemingly fallen off a cliff, despite recording some clean-up sacks. It’s a tough scene.
3. Anytime I check in on Packers Twitter, they seem to be in a love/hate relationship with Matt LaFleur. How do fans think he’s done navigating this season?
Well, it doesn’t help that the new president/CEO Ed Policy came in and immediately turned down the opportunity to extend Matt LaFleur, essentially an admission that LaFleur’s 67-33 record going into the year doesn’t meet Policy’s standard.
After the Carolina Panthers/Philadelphia Eagles stretch, it was looking bad. LaFleur really wants to run the football as his...
