Be ready for any snap to be crucial

Mike Spofford

GREEN BAY Short or not, it's been a week unlike any other this season at 1265.

With the NFC North on the line for a trip to archrival Chicago, the Packers have been figuring out both how to proceed defensively withoutMicah Parsonsand who exactly will be available on a banged-up offense.

However that all shakes out, the two-pronged message Head Coach Matt LaFleur and his assistants have been preaching is this: No superhero complexes required, and be prepared for any given play to decide the game.

"I don't think anybody has to go above and beyond," LaFleur said earlier this week as he processed the team's long injury list. "Everybody's got to do their job and everybody's got to be dialed in, and then just understanding the importance of every play because you just don't know what play is going to be the difference."

That last point is an understated element to a complex game amidst the highlight-driven consumption of the NFL.

While the memorable clips from last week's tussle in Denver featured Broncos QB Bo Nix's four TD passes, Packers RBJosh Jacobs' two dynamic scores, and QBJordan Love's only two-interception game this season, LaFleur brought up an easily forgotten play midway through the third quarter.

The Packers were leading, 23-21, and the Broncos faced third-and-13 from their own 27-yard line. It was a huge chance for Green Bay's defense to get its second three-and-out in a span of three possessions in the second half.

The Broncos played it safe, with Nix avoiding any potential pass rush from Parsons & Co. by dumping a quick screen to tight end Evan Engram, who proceeded to break a tackle or two and gain 12 yards. Now, instead of punting, Denver was in position to go for it on fourth-and-1.

After the conversion, everything turned the wrong way for Green Bay. SafetyXavier McKinneymissed an interception when a deep ball went off his hands, Parsons got injured four plays later, and the Broncos never faced another third down in taking the lead for good.

That third-and-13 wasn't on any highlight reels, but it turned out to be one of the most important plays in the game.

Every game in this league is like that. The week before,Keisean Nixon's game-saving interception in the end zone on fourth-and-1 beat the Bears in the first meeting at Lambeau Field, butKingsley Enagbare's big hit on running back Kyle Monongai on third-and-1 set up the deciding snap.

Before that? On Thanksgiving in Detroit, the Packers and Lions combined to go for it on fourth down five times. Green Bay converted three, Detroit zero, and if any one of those five plays had gone the other way, the entire game would've unfolded differently.

So it's easy to see LaFleur's point.

"These playoff-atmosphere games, you've got to be able to go out there and not leave anything on the table," Love said. "I think we left some stuff out there (in Denver) that you make a couple of those plays, it's a different game. That's the difference late in the season and especially going into the playoffs is you've got to find ways to make every play."

In other words, the focus is on the micro making the play that presents itself rather than the macro worrying about replacing Parsons and any other key players not available. It's of the utmost importance Saturday night at Soldier Field.

Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley was practically providing the rallying cry at the podium Wednesday, juxtaposing the seismic loss a player like Parsons with the belief his teammates possess in their ability to get the job done without him.

"This is a confident defense" Hafley said. "It's a prideful defense with a lot of good players.

"We're going to do everything we can to win games. Period. This group is not wavering at all, and we're not going to allow that to happen."

On the offensive side, there's hope for both Josh Jacobs andChristian Watsonto play through their injuries, but no guarantees. Plus the offensive line's most accomplished player, right tackleZach Tom, could miss some time.

Adjust personnel? Tweak the scheme here or there? Plan for any and every contingency? All of the above.

"At this time of year and the magnitude of these games, it's whatever it takes," LaFleur said. "If there's one thing that we have, it's we've got a lot of confidence in everybody in that room. I don't think there's anybody in that room that can't pick up the slack."

With three games left, the Packers have another chance to move back into first place in the division. They need two wins to make the playoffs without any help.

They know what they need to do, and any given play along the way could be the one that does it.

"I definitely know for a fact we won't be losing any confidence in who we are as a team," Love said. "But I think as a leader and for the other leaders, it's just keep pushing that message out there that we've still got everything we want right in front of us."