GREEN BAY – This time, there was no game-saving field goal block.
This time, Cairo Santos' 51-yard attempt cleared the uprights as time expired in Chicago's first victory over the Packers since 2018, a 24-22 win that snapped a 10-game losing streak for the Bears.
But that's not what bothered Xavier McKinney.
Regardless of whether the Packers won or lost a regular-season finale that didn't have any impact on next week's NFC playoff field, McKinney wasn't happy with how the team performed.
Because it wasn't about just getting to the postseason. It's what the Pro Bowl safety hopes to accomplish once Green Bay gets there – a road that'll see the seventh-seeded Packers travel to Philadelphia next week for the NFC Wild Card round.
"Honestly, it don't matter if we would've won or lost this game. We didn't play good enough today," McKinney said. "That's just what it is. We all know that. We gotta watch this film and see what we can do."
Santos exorcised some demons with his game-winning kick, reversing fortunes from the 43-yard attempt that Karl Brooks blocked during Green Bay's 20-19 win in Week 11.
It was the final blow in a topsy-turvy rematch that saw the Packers give up an early punt return for a touchdown, a fumble off a strip sack of backup quarterback Malik Willis and an 18-yard pass to DJ Moore on third-and-11 that set up Santos' field goal after Caleb Williams clocked the ball with two seconds left.
There were plenty of positives. McKinney caught his eighth interception off a double-reverse pass from receiver Keenan Allen, the most by a Packers defender since Charles Woodson had nine during his NFL Defensive Player of the Year campaign in 2009.
Carrington Valentine, who's stepped up in Jaire Alexander's absence, generated his third takeaway in four weeks when he forced a fumble of Moore to set up a Brandon McManus 55-yard field goal that gave Green Bay 22-21 lead with 54 seconds left.
But it wasn't enough. According to Head Coach Matt LaFleur, there were strong words said in the postgame locker room in a rallying cry to get things right before a hopeful playoff push.
"It was emotional. It's win or go home now," said Valentine of the postgame vibe. "We're going into the postseason, and if we lose, we're out. So we've got to get our (stuff) together and go to Philly and get it going."
As disappointing as Sunday's performance was, McKinney still believes in his team. He's seen it at several turns this year.
To keep playing, the Packers know they must get past a talented Eagles team that beat Green Bay 34-29 during the season opener in Brazil.
"We do. I know we do," said McKinney when asked if the Packers have a locker room it needs to get on a run. "I've seen it. Once we get to our gamedays, we gotta be ready to go. We gotta be locked in. We gotta be on every single detail. That's what it's going to take."
Back-to-back losses hurt, but the Packers feel like they can be the same team that upset Dallas as the No. 7 seed last year.
"Coming off two losses, that just burns that fire under us even hotter," guard Sean Rhyan said. "That's what it is. The hungriest dog is going to fight the longest and that's what it is."
Back to Willis: For the third time this year, the Packers turned to their quarterback in place of an injured Jordan Love.
Willis went 10-of-13 for 136 yards after Love injured his elbow in the second quarter and sat out the remainder of the game as a precaution, according to LaFleur.
Still, Willis was critical of himself after losing the ball on a hard hit from Bears safety Kevin Byard in the third quarter and taking a 6-yard sack on second-and-4 in the fourth.
"It was just unfortunate more than anything," Willis said. "Just trying to make sure we're taking care of the ball after the earlier fumble. I probably held on to it a little too long. I just had to throw it away. I think I'll learn from the film and do my best to not put us in that situation again because that can be the difference between winning and losing a game."
With a 109.8 passer rating, Willis became the first QB in team history to post a 100-plus rating in each of his first three games with the team in which he attempted 10-plus passes.
Jacobs feeling fresh: Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs said he feels ready for the playoffs after carrying the ball just six times for 44 yards and a touchdown vs. the Bears.
That 9-yard score in the second quarter extended his streak to a franchise-record eight consecutive games with at least one rushing touchdown. It also turned out to be his final play.
"I feel great," said Jacobs, who's the first Packers running back to have 1,300 yards in a season since Ahman Green in 2003. "I got six carries today, so I didn't even feel like I played, for real. So I feel good."
The Packers still ran the ball well without Jacobs, finishing with 183 rushing yards and two TDs on 33 carries (5.5 yards per carry) behind backups Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks.
"A lot of guys that might not get to play all of the time played a lot of key roles in today's game," Jacobs said. "It was good for them going forward to be able to build their confidence and to see what we have as a team. I liked the fight in the guys today."
Another new face: While rookie Javon Bullard started at safety, rookie fifth-round pick Kitan Oladapo played alongside McKinney when Green Bay was in nickel.
Oladapo, who missed the offseason and most of training camp after undergoing toe surgery, finished with four tackles in his most extensive playing time of the season.
"It's been a long year. I could say that," Oladapo said. "God willing, just keep pushing me forward. Just one day at a time, it's always one play at a time. That's always how I take it."
Feeling for Watson: Receiver Christian Watson left in the second quarter and didn't return after sustaining a non-contact knee injury, which LaFleur told reporters he didn't feel "super confident about" in terms of severity.
The third-year receiver sat out last week's game in Minnesota with a knee injury he suffered against New Orleans in Week 16.
"I don't know what he did, but he was in pain," Jacobs said. "Seeing his face and talking to him in here, just trying to be encouraging for whatever he has going on. I know this, it hurts us as an offense, but I'm really more so caring about him as a man. So, I'm going to check in with him tonight and make sure he's doing all right."
