Bears' Season Finale Ends with Defeat to Packers: Rapid Recap

The 2023 season concluded on a disappointing note for the Bears as they suffered a 17-9 defeat to their arch-rivals, the Packers, at Lambeau Field. In a game marked by offensive struggles, the Bears failed to score a touchdown for the second time in the season, settling for three Cairo Santos field goals. The offense managed only 192 yards and 13 first downs.

The Bears defense struggled to contain Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who had an impressive performance, completing 27 of 32 passes for 316 yards with two touchdowns and a 128.6 passer rating. Green Bay's Aaron Jones added to the challenge by rushing for 111 yards on 22 carries.

 

Bears quarterback Justin Fields connected on 11 of 16 passes for 148 yards, earning a passer rating of 97.9. However, the Bears' rushing attack struggled, mustering only 75 yards on 25 carries.

The loss sealed the Bears' fourth-place finish in the NFC North with a 7-10 record. Their woes against the Packers continued, as they dropped their 10th straight game to their rivals, last winning in 2018, and extended their losing streak at Lambeau Field to eight consecutive games, last winning in 2015.

Despite the disappointment, Coach Matt Eberflus acknowledged the team's development throughout the season, highlighting their resilience after an 0-4 start. The Bears finished the season 5-3 after that challenging start.

The Packers' victory secured them a wild card berth in the NFC playoffs, with crucial wins from other teams affecting their postseason fate.

The game featured an unusual low number of possessions, with the teams combining for only 13 drives. The Bears struggled on third down, converting just 27.3% of opportunities, while the Packers capitalized on 70% of their chances.

Key factors in the game included the Bears' limited pass rush, producing only one sack of Love while allowing five sacks of Fields. The discrepancy in third-down conversions played a pivotal role in the outcome.

The game saw early success for the Bears with Cairo Santos' 50-yard field goal, but the Packers responded, and an 11-play, 92-yard drive culminated in Love's 10-yard touchdown passes to Dontayvion Wicks.

Despite a close score throughout the game, the Bears couldn't overcome the Packers, who ultimately secured the victory with a 17-9 score. The loss marked the end of the Bears' season, reflecting both disappointment and acknowledgment of the team's growth throughout the challenging year.