Green Bays running back scores twice, Christian Watson leaves with chest injury

Wes Hodkiewicz

DENVER As the hits keep coming for the Packers,Josh Jacobskeeps absorbing every blow coming his way.

Listed as questionable with a knee injury entering Sunday's game with Denver, the Packers running back once again blocked out the pain and it was nearly enough to help Green Bay pull of a major road win over the AFC-leading Broncos.

Although the Packers fell 34-26 in front of 75,555 at Mile High Stadium, Jacobs gave the Packers a chance with 14 touches for 91 yards while scoring both of Green Bay's touchdowns.

And he was feeling the aftereffects of the hard-fought game afterwards.

"I'm sore. A little bit of everywhere honestly," Jacobs said. "I told the guys, 'Man, you gotta know that I really care about this group because what we put our body through is crazy.' I'm definitely feeling that today."

Jacobs has been battling a knee issue dating back to last month's 27-20 win over the New York Giants at MetLife. He missed two days of practice this week before returning on Friday.

Jacobs' importance grew in scale when his primary backup,Emanuel Wilson, was added to the injury report with an illness that had him questionable for the game. Wilson played but carried the ball just twice aside from returning kickoffs.

Green Bay moved the ball throughout the first half but was forced to settle for twoBrandon McManusfield goals before Jacobs made a terrific catch on a wheel route before halftime for his second career touchdown reception.

QuarterbackJordan Lovefit the pass in perfectly to Jacobs, who hauled in the 14-yard touchdown over Dre Greenlaw to give the Packers a 13-7 lead with 4 minutes, 29 seconds left in the half.

"I've been asking them to call that all year," Jacobs said. "I like me against a linebacker any time. It's crazy because like two or three plays before that, we were talking like we need to call that, we've been repping it and then we called it.

"I was trying to tell them, trust me. (Jordan) was like, 'I was throwing it either way. I knew what you were going to do.' Shout out to Jordan for that."

Jacobs sparked the Packers out of halftime, too, when he broke a 40-yard touchdown run to extend Green Bay's lead to 23-14.

It was his longest run with the Packers and his longest touchdown run since a 63-yard score against Kansas City in Week 12 of the 2023 season with Las Vegas.

The game turned on the Packers' next possession, though, when Love fired a deep ball to receiverChristian Watson. Not only did reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain intercept the ball, but Watson also suffered a chest injury that knocked him out for the rest of the game.

The Broncos outscored Green Bay 20-3 the rest of the way while converting all four of their red-zone opportunities for the game. Meanwhile, the Packers finished 1-of-4 inside the 20.

"The game the whole day felt weird; even when we were up, the game felt weird," Jacobs said. "We got in the red zone a few times, didn't score. We had a lot more penalties than we did the last several weeks.

"We look at this film and we know if we clean up a few things here or there it could be a totally different game. It still came down to the wire. They're a really good team. It's a really good team they have and we'll see them again."

Injuries took their toll:In addition to losingMicah Parsonsto a non-contact knee injury, the Packers finished the game without Watson, safetyEvan Williams(knee), tight endJosh Whyle(concussion) and right tackleZach Tom(knee).

Tom sustained his injury on the same play Jacobs caught his touchdown.Darian Kinnardfinished the game at right tackle.

"It's definitely weird on the field seeing guys, 'Dang, another one. Another one is happening,' and it's key players," Jacobs said. "It's guys who play big roles on our team. I don't know. In this game, that's part of this game. Sometimes you can't fill those shoes but somebody else is gonna have to step up and contribute. That's why it's a team sport."

Watson's loss was a turning point in the contest, especially considering the impact he's had on the offense since he returned from the torn ACL that ended his 2024 campaign.

While the fourth-year receiver didn't return to the game, Watson was allowed to travel back to Green Bay with the team.

"That's a real critical piece to our offense, obviously," said receiverJayden Reed, who led Green Bay with five catches for 55 yards. "It's our job to go out there and execute and next man step up and make the play."

Back to the Bears:With the Packers' loss and a 31-3 drubbing of Cleveland, Chicago improved to 10-3 and retook a half-game lead over Green Bay in the NFC North.

The two teams will meet this Saturday at Soldier Field, a rematch of last Sunday's game at Lambeau Field that saw the Packers win 28-21 onKeisean Nixon's game-ending INT.

"We got a short week, we gotta flip the page," defensive linemanRashan Garysaid. "Get back on the Bears. I think they had a hell of a game today. Just gotta get back on track and that's what we're gonna do."

Penalty problems:The penalty issues that hampered Green Bay earlier this season resurfaced in Denver, as the Packers were called for 10 infractions for 72 yards.

"It's just our job to go out there and execute the right way, not have penalties," Reed said. "Not hurt ourselves. Even with me, I hold myself accountable because late in the game, in a critical game, I ran the wrong route. so I hold myself accountable."