The Green Bay Packers aren't perfect. That much was clear, even before Sunday's surprise loss at Kansas City cost them a shot at an undefeated season.
The defending Super Bowl champions have been giving up too many big plays on defense all season, and injuries now appear to be taking a toll on the offense. Already missing wide receiver Greg Jennings because of a knee injury, the Packers lost starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga to a left knee sprain and backup Derek Sherrod to two broken bones in his lower right leg.
It all caught up to them in a disappointing 19-14 loss to the Chiefs.
"Very quiet plane ride home last night, and understandably so," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Monday. "Everybody's disappointed with the loss and the opportunity to have an undefeated season. But the reality is upon us. We have the goal of getting of home-field advantage right in front of us. We have it at home, against the Bears, and that's what we need to get ready for."
Going into their Christmas night matchup against the NFC North rival Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field, players were disappointed to lose a chance to go through a season unbeaten but reiterated that another Super Bowl was always their main goal.
On NFL Network
"NFL Replay" will re-air the
Chiefs' 19-14 win over the
Packers on Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 8 p.m. ET.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was sacked four times Sunday, and his protection looks thin after injuries to Bulaga and Sherrod. McCarthy said Bulaga would be "challenged" to play this week. Sherrod is recovering from surgery to insert a rod into his right leg after breaking both his tibia and fibula, a source told the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
Of course, the Packers showed last season they have an uncanny ability to shake off significant injuries.
"Everybody goes through different challenges throughout their season," McCarthy said. "We've been hit with some injuries here, and we'll fight right through them like we always have. My confidence hasn't wavered."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
