CHICAGO – The Packers were forced to dig deep into their depth chart once again after several key players left with injuries during Saturday's 22-16 overtime loss to Chicago.
It began with quarterback Jordan Love, who sustained a concussion in the second quarter after Bears defensive lineman Austin Booker's second roughing the passer penalty of the game.
Like he's done for the past two seasons, backup Malik Willis again was solid in relief of Love. He completed 9-of-11 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown (142.8 passer rating) while also rushing for 44 yards on 10 carries.
While disappointed in the result, the Packers' locker room was appreciative of everything Willis did to put the team in position to lead the entire game until Caleb Williams' game-winning touchdown to DJ Moore in overtime.
"Malik balled out," safety Javon Bullard said. "We already know the type of player Malik is, he didn't flinch. When his number's called, he's gonna go in there and go crazy.
"To come in there and do what we did, damn near basically almost won us the game. To play like he played was amazing for us, huge kudos to Malik. We appreciate him for sure."
Running back Josh Jacobs played in a limited capacity after coming into Saturday with a knee injury. He rushed 12 times for 36 yards and didn't return after a fumble on first-and-goal early in the third quarter.
The Packers rode third-year veteran Emanuel Wilson the rest of the way to the tune of 14 carries for 82 yards (5.9 yards per attempt). As a team, Green Bay finished with 192 rushing yards on 44 carries.
The Packers were playing without two starters due to knee injuries, right tackle Zach Tom and safety Evan Williams. Former first-round pick Jordan Morgan started in place of Tom while Bullard shifted to the back end to replace Williams.
Green Bay finished the game with just one tight end after John FitzPatrick left with an Achilles injury. Receiver Romeo Doubs also injured his wrist on an onside kick at the end of regulation.
"Just get back to work," offensive lineman Aaron Banks said. "Just overall, there's always room to improve and we're going to go into this next week and watch the film and see how we can improve and what we can do better at."
Banks said he had a chance to talk briefly with Love during halftime and will look to catch up with him later. He was proud of how Willis handled his spot appearance, especially given the high stakes and playoff-type atmosphere at Soldier Field.
It reminded Banks a lot of how Willis provided a lift last month in New York when Love briefly left with a shoulder injury and the backup QB led a touchdown drive in the interim.
"He's a dog, man," defensive end Rashan Gary said. "Every time in his history it speaks for itself. Every time '2' is called on he does big things and he's consistent. That's a pro's pro. He stayed ready and when he gets an opportunity I don't be surprised because I practice against him every day."
Regarding Booker's hit: Booker was flagged for two roughing the passer penalties in the first 21 minutes, 45 seconds of Saturday's NFC North matchup but was not in any apparent danger of disqualification despite Love's injury.
However, receiver Jayden Reed was one more unsportsmanlike penalty away from ejection for taunting a Bears defender after Doubs' 33-yard touchdown.
"I just don't know how guys get kicked out of games for taunting but if you hit a quarterback late in the head…" Banks said. "That should get the same treatment for something as simple as taunting. I think that has to be re-evaluated."
Red-zone woes: The Packers still are searching for answers to their recent inability to score touchdowns after moving the ball inside the opponent's 20-yard line.
Green Bay went 0-for-5 inside the red zone against Chicago. The Packers kicked three field goals, turned the ball over on downs once and had the lost fumble in the third quarter.
"I just think collectively as a unit we just didn't execute in the red zone like we're supposed to," Doubs said. "That's why we watch the film, go over the tape, see what we gotta do better."
No rest for the weary: The Packers have to move forward quickly as they host Baltimore next Saturday before closing the regular season in Minnesota.
While Green Bay is now 1½ games behind Chicago in the division, it still controls its own destiny when it comes to clinching a wild-card berth.
"We just gotta get back to work, take care of Baltimore and then take care of Minnesota and wherever lies where we're at," defensive end Colby Wooden said. "It's just all we gotta do. Get back to work, keep our heads up. No need to point fingers, I got everybody's back."
