Packers' Playoff Collapse Highlights Closing Game Concerns as 2026 Season Approaches The Green Bay Packers' inability to hold onto a significant lead in their playoff loss to the Chicago Bears remains a focus for quarterback Jordan Love as the team prepares for the 2026 season. In the wild card round, Green Bay entered the fourth quarter with an 11-point advantage, but two Bears touchdowns in the final minutes of the game secured a home victory for Chicago. This outcome echoed a similar collapse from Week 16, when the Packers surrendered a 10-point lead at Soldier Field, resulting in an overtime loss. The Packers' playoff defeat underscored a recurring issue: failing to maintain control in critical moments. Had they preserved their lead in the regular season finale, the team would have clinched the NFC North division title and hosted their first postseason game instead of facing the Bears in Chicago. During an appearance on This is Football, Love emphasized that the primary change for the 2026 season is the team's commitment to improving their ability to close out games. "The biggest difference is our ability to finish," Love said. "I think that's kinda where we had a letdown last season was being able to finish late in games, late in the season, all those things. I think this year that's the mindset. That's the goal for us, to be able to go out there and finish no matter what the situation is." Love did not specify tactical adjustments but highlighted the team's focus on maintaining intensity and attention to detail. "We're stressing the need to continue to focus on all the little details rather than take our foot off the gas once we're in front," he said. This approach aims to counteract the complacency that contributed to past collapses, such as the Week 16 setback and the playoff loss.#green_bay_packers #chicago_bears #nfc_north #jordan_love #this_is_football
