It wasn't pretty, but the Green Bay Packers got the job done in Week 2. Despite being on the brink of dropping to 0-2, they're tied with the Chicago Bears for second place in the NFC North.
The Packers' 2026 outlook may have quietly improved dramatically within a matter of minutes. Their gritty 20-17 overtime road defeat of the New York Jets nearly coincided with Bears star quarterback Caleb Williams suffering a hamstring injury.
Williams went down without contact and appeared to be in a good deal of pain. He needed help to get off the field and was eventually carted to the locker room. The Bears ruled him out for the remainder of their 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings shortly thereafter, capping off an ominous sequence of events.
However, early indications are that Williams avoided the worst-case scenario. He was reportedly spotted "walking under his own power" with "maybe a slight limp" (h/t Adam Jahns of CHGO Sports). Further testing will determine how long Chicago might be without him, if at all, which could tip the scales in Green Bay's favor.
What Caleb Williams' injury could mean in the NFC North race
Green Bay notably hosts the Bears at Lambeau Field in Week 5, and it's now unclear if Williams will play or be at 100 percent.
Things are shifting quickly for the Packers. They had a 12 percent win probability with roughly 11 minutes left versus the Jets before erasing a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit, per ESPN Analytics. Their gutsy comeback shouldn't be overlooked, especially the defense's effort on a day the offense struggled to get much of anything going.
Sportsbooks promptly reacted to Williams getting hurt. The Bears had the second-shortest consensus odds to reclaim the NFC North title at +226 as of September 15. Their betting line plummeted to +483, while Green Bay climbed from +440 to +335 during that stretch.
Obviously, Williams' status warrants attention; he's one of the most talented players at football's most important position. Chicago cannot come close to meeting their lofty expectations sans him. Saying his availability, or lack thereof, can single-handedly flip the division — and even the conference — picture isn't hyperbolic, and Vegas evidently agrees.
Any absence for Williams, let alone an extended one, would be tough for the Bears to withstand. It's also a massive potential swing for their rivals, particularly Green Bay, because he fared well in two head-to-head matchups last season. The 24-year-old threw for more passing yards (436) against the green and gold than any other opponent.
Before exiting late in the low-scoring affair with the Vikings, Williams completed 15 of 26 passes for 138 scoreless yards and an interception. He added another 42 yards on five carries and took three sacks.
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