Packers fans wasted no time venting their frustration on social media, pointing to the special teams unit as the primary culprit for the Wild Card exit.

“That’s brutal. You cannot leave 7 points out there in a game like this,” one fan posted on X. “Special teams completely flipping the script.”

The criticism grew sharper regarding the front office’s decision to stick with McManus despite shaky performances down the stretch.

“Willingly keeping one of the worst kickers in the league for the playoffs is an interesting decision,” another observer noted.

The most biting commentary came after a crucial miss from 44 yards out that could have stemmed the Bears’ momentum. “Apparently, a 44-yard FG is a hoax these days. Kick it if you dare. And it will be funny if 44-yarder turns out to be the axe for two respectable head coaches…”

Head coach Mtt LaFleur now faces a long offseason full of “what-ifs.” While the offense put up points and the defense had its moments, the margins in January are razor-thin. For Green Bay, those margins were wide left and wide right.

Packers Fans Erupt After Brandon McManus’ Misses Doom Green Bay in Playoff Loss to Bears

Green Bay Packers fans are not going to forget — or forgive — Brandon McManus anytime soon.

What began as a promising night at Soldier Field ended in heartbreak for the Packers, as they surrendered an 18-point lead and fell 31-27 to the Chicago Bears in a devastating Wild Card playoff loss. While Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams earned national headlines for his fourth-quarter comeback, the box score reveals a far more painful truth for Green Bay: the Packers lost by four points, and their kicker left seven points on the field.

In a postseason game defined by razor-thin margins, those seven missed points proved fatal.

A Nightmare Night for Green Bay’s Kicker

Brandon McManus endured one of the worst performances of his career on the biggest stage. The veteran kicker missed two field goals and failed to convert an extra point — a stunning collapse for a unit that is expected to be automatic in playoff football.

Special teams mistakes are magnified in January, and McManus’ errors loomed large as momentum repeatedly swung toward Chicago. Every missed opportunity drained confidence from the Packers sideline and energized a Bears team that refused to go away.

In a hostile road environment, where sustained drives are rare and points are precious, leaving seven points on the field is essentially a self-inflicted wound. Green Bay didn’t just lose — it gave the game away.

Fans Unleash Their Frustration

It didn’t take long for Packers fans to make their feelings known. Social media erupted almost immediately after the final whistle, with McManus becoming the focal point of a fan base searching for answers.

“That’s brutal. You cannot leave seven points out there in a game like this,” one fan posted on X. “Special teams completely flipping the script.”

Others questioned the organization’s decision-making, wondering why Green Bay continued to trust McManus despite inconsistent performances late in the season.

“Willingly keeping one of the worst kickers in the league for the playoffs is an interesting decision,” another fan wrote.

The criticism intensified after McManus missed a crucial 44-yard field goal — a distance that is typically routine for NFL kickers. Instead of stopping Chicago’s momentum, the miss opened the door for the Bears to mount their comeback.

“Apparently, a 44-yard FG is a hoax these days,” one particularly sharp comment read. “Kick it if you dare.”

The Math That Tells the Story

The Packers offense scored enough points to win. The defense had stretches where it looked capable of closing the game. But the final math is unforgiving.

Two missed field goals.
One missed extra point.
Seven lost points.
A four-point defeat.

In playoff football, teams don’t recover from mistakes like that. Not against a division rival. Not on the road. And not when the opposing quarterback finds his rhythm late.

McManus’ struggles overshadowed otherwise solid performances and turned what should have been a controlled win into a cautionary tale about complacency and risk management.

A Brutal Ending to a Collapsing Season

Saturday night’s loss didn’t exist in a vacuum. It was the final chapter in a troubling trend for Green Bay, which closed the season on a five-game losing streak after once appearing destined for a deep postseason run.

The collapse against Chicago felt symbolic — a team that repeatedly failed to close games finally paying the ultimate price.

For head coach Matt LaFleur, the offseason will be filled with uncomfortable questions. While the offense moved the ball and the defense made plays at times, the Packers once again faltered when execution mattered most.

Special teams, often overlooked when things go right, became the difference between advancing and going home.

Where Do the Packers Go From Here?

The fallout from this loss will linger. McManus’ future in Green Bay is suddenly very much in doubt, and the organization will be forced to reexamine how much value it places on consistency at the kicker position.

For a franchise with Super Bowl aspirations, margins must be tighter. Mistakes must be minimized. And reliability — especially in critical moments — cannot be optional.

For Packers fans, the frustration is raw and understandable. They watched a winnable playoff game slip away not because of a lack of talent, but because of preventable errors.

As one fan summed it up perfectly: in January football, games are decided by inches. For Green Bay, those inches went wide left — and wide right.

And that’s a memory Packers faithful won’t soon forget.