The Green Bay Packers found a way.
Was it a perfect performance? No. Did they deserve to win? Eh, probably not. But Matt LaFleur is right when he says he will never apologize for winning, and that's especially true in a divisional game. The Packers proved that special teams count, too, blocking a potential game-winning field goal to escape with a 20-19 win over the Chicago Bears.
And it wasn't a fluke. LaFleur revealed that special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia noticed a potential mismatch on tape that could lead to a block. Bisaccia knew his team would get a block the day before the game.
We'll take ugly wins over beautiful losses. Who were the biggest winners and losers for the Packers in Week 11?
Winners and losers for Packers in crucial Week 11 victory over Bears
Winner: Karl Brooks
Karl Brooks had no interest in watching the Bears secure their first win over the Packers in six years. His outstretched arm was the difference in the game, blocking Cairo Santos' attempt at a game-winning field goal.
The second-year player had a relatively quiet day on defense, but his blocked field goal not only changed the landscape of the game but the entire NFC North playoff picture.
RELATED: AJ Dillon hilariously dunks on the Bears after Packers block game-winning FG
Loser: Quay Walker
The Packers have a Quay Walker problem. They have for three years, if we're honest.
Walker has the speed to make plays across the field, especially as a blitzer, but the glaring issues hurt the defense every single week. He looks lost on run plays and often finds himself out of position, including on D'Andre Swift's 39-yard touchdown run.
Eric Wilson completely outplayed him when given a starting job in the two games Walker missed, offering stability and playmaking ability the first-round pick lacks. Yet, for some unclear, unexcusable reason, the Packers have relegated Wilson to a backup job while Walker plays every snap.
Walker shouldn't be a starting linebacker for the Packers. He certainly shouldn't play a team-high 72 snaps.
Winner: Christian Watson
Christian Watson deserves more opportunities. All he does is make big-time plays. Unlike the rest of the Packers' receiving corps, who seemingly make one bad drop each per game, Watson rarely makes mistakes.
He stepped up with four catches for a career-best 150 yards against the Bears, including receptions of 48 and 60 yards on consecutive possessions. Watson made an incredible leaping catch on the game-winning drive—he leaped back up after not getting touched to take the ball to Chicago's 14-yard line.
A DIVING CATCH... but Watson wasn't done!#GBvsCHI pic.twitter.com/3uEZQWBHyT
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) November 17, 2024
Good things happen when Watson gets on the field. He deserves more opportunities.
Loser: Keisean Nixon
The Packers' stubbornness at cornerback continues to haunt them. This is a completely different team without Jaire Alexander, who could only play the first quarter due to an ongoing knee injury. Green Bay has experimented with Keisean Nixon on the boundary this season, and the results are painfully predictable.
Per PFF, Nixon gave up three receptions on five passes, but that doesn't tell the entire story. The Bears went after Nixon, including on a crucial 4th-and-3 that kept the Bears' final drive alive. He looked out of his depth while trying to cover rookie Rome Odunze on the play.
Unfortunately, the Packers might not have a better option.
Winner: Brenton Cox Jr.
Brian Gutekunst's decision not to upgrade the cornerback room is hurting the Packers, but the Preston Smith trade looks even better after Sunday.
The Packers wanted to give second-year Brenton Cox Jr. more opportunities, and he made the most of them. Despite only playing 22 snaps, Cox made one sack, two quarterback hits, and two tackles for loss. His stock is rising after his season debut.