Even before Green Bay acquired Micah Parsons in late August, the Packers considered themselves a major Super Bowl contender.
Now, they face the unnecessary challenge of proving their worth without their superstar pass rusher.
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Just when the Packers appeared to be the NFC favorites, they lost their best player when Parsons tore his left ACL in the third quarter of Sunday’s 34-26 loss to Denver.
That puts the Packers (9-4-1) in an even more precarious position with three weeks left in the regular season.
“We still have a chance to do what we want to do – win the division and make a deep run in the playoffs,” safety Xavier McKinney said. “So, yes, obviously guys were injured today, but that doesn’t mean the season is over.”
Parsons’ injury was the most serious of the day, when several Packers players, including wide receiver Christian Watson, were sidelined. Parsons joins center Elgton Jenkins, tight end Tucker Craft and defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt as the Packers’ notable players missing the season due to injuries.
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“It’s kind of weird because it gives you a feeling like last year when we started to struggle toward the end of the year,” running back Josh Jacobs said.
The Packers hope to avoid a repeat of last season, when they lost their final three games, including a 22-10 loss to Philadelphia in the wild-card round of the NFC playoffs.
But they’re in a familiar situation as they look to become the NFC’s seventh and final playoff seed for the third straight year. The Packers still control their destiny in the NFC North race as they prepare to travel to Chicago on Saturday for a rematch with the division-leading Bears, who lost 28-21 in Green Bay on Dec. 7.
Green Bay’s biggest challenge may be how to achieve a consistent pass rush without Parsons, whose 12.5 sacks tied for third in the NFL. The Packers did not sack Broncos quarterback Bo Nix once on Sunday.
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Rashan Gary, who ranks second on the team in sacks, said he hosted a meeting late Sunday to discuss how the defensive linemen could fill the void in Parsons’ absence.
“What do we get for the rest of the season? Three more chances?” Gary asked rhetorically. “Let’s see how the front line plays out.”
what’s working
The big-play ability Green Bay showed against the Bears a week ago carried over into the first part of Sunday’s game. The Packers completed seven plays from scrimmage for at least 24 yards, five of which came before halftime, against a Denver defense that was the best in the NFL. … Green Bay gained 5.8 yards per carry, holding Denver to 2.9 yards per carry.
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What help do you need?
The offense, which scored 23 points in the first 16 minutes of the game, only scored a total of three points in the final six series. … QB Jordan Love was sacked three times. …Nix threw for 302 yards and four touchdowns without an interception, shredding the Packers’ secondary. …The Packers defense couldn’t catch a ton of potential interceptions thrown their way. …The Packers took 10 penalties, tying their second-highest total of the season.
Stock up
Jacobs overcame knee issues and scored two touchdowns – one rushing and one receiving. One of those touchdowns came on a 40-yard rush all season. … LB Edgerrin Cooper recovered a fumble in the first quarter and had two fourth-down plays in the fourth quarter.
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Inventory decline
Lt. Rasheed Walker received four penalties. … DL Rashan Gary has no sacks in Green Bay’s past seven games after recording 7 1/2 sacks in Green Bay’s first seven games. … S Javon Bullard committed an unnecessary roughness penalty, turning a potential second-and-11 situation into an automatic first down for Denver’s first touchdown.
Injuried
Along with Parsons and Watson, other players injured against the Broncos include RT Zach Tom and S Evan Williams, both with knee issues.
“I don’t have any update on how long this is going to last,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said after Sunday’s game. “Long term, I think we’ll be fine, but whether it’s a week, two weeks or three weeks, I can’t tell you.”
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key number
28 — That’s the number of touchdowns Josh Jacobs has in two seasons with Green Bay. The only NFL player with the most touchdowns over the past two seasons is Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs, with 29.
Next steps
The Packers will play the next two Saturdays — visiting Chicago (10-4) this week and hosting the Baltimore Ravens (7-7) on Dec. 27 before concluding the regular season on Jan. 4 at Minnesota (6-8).
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