NFC North-leading Packers will face
major challenges in back-to-back road games
[December 09, 2025]
By STEVE MEGARGEE
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Jordan Love realizes the Green Bay Packers
can't afford to get complacent now that they have regained first
place in the NFC North.
Their schedule won't allow it.
The Packers (9-3-1) leapfrogged Chicago for the division lead with a
28-21 victory over the Bears, who had reeled off five straight
victories. Now they must go on the road to try halting the Denver
Broncos' 10-game winning streak.
Then they continue the toughest stretch of their schedule by going
to Chicago for a Dec. 20 rematch with the Bears (9-4). Those
upcoming assignments give the Packers no chance to catch a breath
after Sunday's emotional win.
“It’s all about finishing,” Love said after the game. “We’re here.
We’ve been here before, but we’ve got to finish it. So, it doesn’t
really mean anything right now, but tonight was a huge win and going
in the right direction going forward.”
The Packers have won four straight, including three consecutive
victories over NFC North opponents. That's particularly notable
since the Packers went 1-5 in divisional games last year.
They've done it with a team effort that was most apparent in Keisean
Nixon's game-clinching interception in the end zone Sunday. The
interception came with the Bears facing fourth-and-1 from Green
Bay's 14-yard line in the final minute.
Nixon wasn’t even responsible for defending Chicago’s Cole Kmet on
the play — that assignment had gone to Evan Williams — but Nixon
still noticed how the play was developing and alertly put himself in
position to make the leaping catch.
”(I) was praying that somebody was behind me to make the play on the
corner, and sure enough, like, Jesus himself, 25 (Nixon) comes out
the blue and makes a play,” Williams said. “I was just like, ‘Thank
you, thank you so much.’ ”
The Packers will need plenty more of those types of efforts to
maintain their division lead.
“It means nothing right now,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “I
mean, it means a lot, but also, there’s four weeks left, and you’ve
got to take it day by day. You’ve got to really embrace that grind,
embrace the challenge. It’s not going to be easy from here on out.”
What’s working
The defense is starting to produce takeaways in clutch situations,
whether it's Williams' game-clinching interception against the New
York Giants to start this winning streak or Nixon's interceptions
that sealed Sunday's win. ... The Packers have allowed a total of
two sacks over their last three games. ... Green Bay gained 4.5
yards per carry. ... The Packers showcased their big-play ability,
as Love had touchdown passes of 45, 41 and 23 yards. The 41-yarder
was actually a short pass that Christian Watson caught in stride
before racing about 35 yards. ... The Packers went 8 of 12 in
third-down situations.
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) celebrates with
guard Aaron Banks (65) after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago
Bears during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 7,
2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
What needs help
Green Bay had done a great job of avoiding penalties leading into
the game, but the Packers were flagged six times Sunday. Their 55
penalty yards marked their highest total since an Oct. 19 win at
Arizona, when they had 10 penalties for 94 yards. ... The Packers
went three-and-out twice and allowed Chicago to go 7 of 9 in
third-down opportunities in the second half. Chicago had 40
offensive snaps and Green Bay had just 19 in the second half.
Stock up
Jordan Love has seven touchdown passes and only one interception
over his last two games. ... Watson has five touchdown catches over
his last four games. ... Josh Jacobs got his 12th touchdown run of
the season, putting him three away from the career high he set last
year. ... Bo Melton broke into the NFL as a receiver but has
practiced primarily at cornerback this year, though all 56 of his
non-special-teams snaps this season have come on offense. Melton's
versatility was apparent Sunday by scoring on a career-long, 45-yard
catch.
Stock down
Romeo Doubs was held without a catch in a game he played for the
first time since the Packers' 2023 regular-season finale with
Chicago. Doubs has totaled 43 yards receiving over his last three
games, though he did score a touchdown in a Thanksgiving Day win at
Detroit.
Injuries
Linebacker Kristian Welch, who contributes mostly on special teams,
left with a concussion. Defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness (foot)
didn't play for the seventh time in Green Bay's last eight games.
LaFleur said wide receivers Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) and Matthew
Golden (shoulder) were dealing with injuries that limited their
playing time. Golden, who had missed three of Green Bay's last four
games, played just five snaps. Wicks played only six snaps, a week
after scoring two touchdowns against Detroit.
Key number
16 — The Packers have allowed just 16 first-quarter points all
season, including none on Sunday. That's the third-lowest total
through the first 13 games of a season by any team since 2000. The
2002 New York Giants yielded nine first-quarter points in their
first 13 games. The 2018 Dallas Cowboys gave up 14 over the same
span.
Next steps
The Packers will be seeking to win at Denver for the first time
since 2007. The Packers have played the Broncos on the road just two
times since, losing 29-10 in 2015 and 19-17 in 2023.
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