The Green Bay Packers fell short in Denver on Sunday, 34-26, to drop to 9-4-1 on the season and back into second place in the NFC North.
However, even though the Packers lost, it felt like the more impactful thing on Sunday was all the injuries sustained in the loss.
The Packers lost edge rusher Micah Parsons, who’s believed to have torn his ACL, receiver Christian Watson, offensive tackle Zach Tom, safety Evan Williams, and more.
How Do the Packers’ Playoff Chances Look?
Overall, the Packers are still in a very good spot to make the playoffs, on paper. However, the reality is that Green Bay’s goals for this season took a big hit depending on the outcomes of Sunday’s injuries.
The Packers currently have an 88.4% chance to make the playoffs and a 36.4% chance to win the division, according to PFSN’s NFL Football Playoff Meter. The playoff percentage dropped a bit due to the loss to the Broncos, and the division percentage dropped about 15%.
However, the Packers still control their own destiny in a big way. The Packers will travel to Chicago in Week 16 with first place in the NFC North on the line, again.
The same was the case two weeks ago when the Bears came to Lambeau Field. The game came down to the wire, and the Packers came out victorious.
Now the challenge is not only doing it a second time, but doing so at Soldier Field. But, if the Packers can do so, they’ll take back first place in the division and likely jolt back into the No. 2 seed in the playoff picture.
Green Bay currently holds the No. 7 seed in the playoffs due to its loss to Denver because the NFC is extremely competitive.
What’s the Latest on the Packers’ Injuries?
The tests for Parsons’ knee injury have not come back yet, but the belief is they will confirm the Packers’ star edge rusher tore his ACL, and that would end his 2025 season.
Not only is that a massive blow for Parsons, who was having another phenomenal year, but it takes a major toll on the Packers’ defense.
Parsons is ranked No. 5 in the NFL among all edge rushers, according to PFSN’s EDGE Impact, and ranks third in sacks and second in quarterback hits.
The next Packer is ranked No. 14. That’s Lukas Van Ness, who hasn’t even played half of the games this season. Rashan Gary is ranked No. 38, and Kingsley Enagbare is ranked No. 94.
Parsons is the leader and bellcow of the Packers’ defense, and his absence will mean many players have to step up in their current roles. The good news is Van Ness was on the field playing on Sunday after missing seven of the last eight games.
The Packers got positive injury news on Watson this morning. After heading to the hospital in Denver with a chest injury, the Packers’ receiver flew home with the team.
Watson had a CT scan done for precaution, and there is no issue with his lungs. He does not have any long-term injury, and his status for the Bears game will be determined later in the week.
That’s about the best news possible for the Packers, as Watson’s injury did not look good when he left the field on Sunday.
Watson has been nothing short of fantastic since he made his season debut in Week 8. The Packers receiver ranks No. 4 in the NFL, according to PFSN’s WR Impact, behind only Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Puka Nacua, and George Pickens.
The next closest Packers receiver is rookie Matthew Golden at No. 24, and then Romeo Doubs ranks No. 44, and Dontayvion Wicks ranks No. 58.
The Packers’ receiver room is pretty deep, and Green Bay has Jayden Reed back now, but Watson’s presence takes the offense to another level.
Williams’ knee injury doesn’t appear to be long-term. He said it feels better than the Grade 3 tear he had in college that kept him out of four games.
The young safety is another pivotal piece of the Packers’ defense that only continues to get better. There’s also no further update yet on Tom, who’s the Packers’ highest graded offensive lineman, according to PFSN’s OL Impact.
The biggest hurdle for Green Bay this week will be determining the extent of all the injuries sustained against Denver. But, regardless of who’s on the field, the Packers need to come out ready to play in Chicago.
Week 16 will likely determine the division and have a large impact on the Packers’ playoff seeding, assuming they don’t lose out and miss the playoffs.