Packers are playoff bound after Sunday’s win and Rams’ loss
The Green Bay Packers are 11-3 after defeating the Chicago Bears 21-13 on Sunday afternoon and clinched a spot in the playoffs after the Dallas Cowboys routed the Los Angeles Rams in the late-afternoon game.
The Packers jumped out to a 7-0 lead after a touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to Davante Adams on fourth down. The Bears added a field goal in the second quarter, making the game 7-3 GB at halftime. Aaron Jones ran for two touchdowns in the third quarter but the Bears wouldn’t quit, scoring 10 points in the fourth quarter to pull within 21-13. A final pass with a series of laterals came up just short for the Bears and the Packers held on to win the game, sweeping the season series and improving to 99-95-6 vs their longtime rivals.
My thoughts about this game:
This was the 200th meeting between these teams and it wasn’t decided until the final clock hit all zeroes.
As the first half was winding down and the Packers up 7-3, Mitchell Trubisky attempted a Hail Mary pass that fell short and got intercepted by Jaire Alexander. For some reason, the Packers tried a series of laterals. It finally went into the arms of Darnell Savage, who ended up getting tackled to end the half. Perhaps they thought they had something going but I was cringing the whole time during those laterals. The last thing they needed was to give the Bears a cheap touchdown and momentum entering the locker room.
The Packers looked great to start the second half, scoring two touchdowns and playing some nice defense. They unfortunately couldn’t keep it up, leaving the door open for the Bears to make a comeback.
The Packers missed a lot of opportunities to come up with an interception. Leave it up to a defensive lineman to make a huge play. Dean Lowry made a juggling interception with under 7 minutes left in the game. The Packers couldn’t capitalize on it though. Rodgers got sacked on third down, taking them out of field-goal range. They ended up having to punt the ball away.
Jake Kumerow had only one reception, but it was a huge one. He did a great job on staying inbounds running down the right sideline, hauling in a 49-yard catch and run to the Bears’ 11-yard line. Aaron Jones would score his second touchdown of the game two plays later.
The Packers were dreadful in the return game for most of the season, but it looks like they finally found someone who can give them a spark. Tyler Ervin had some nice returns, including a 45-yard kickoff return.
The Bears had two chances to score a touchdown late in the game. With nine seconds left, Trubisky’s Hail Mary pass got knocked up in the air by Jaire Alexander. Riley Ridley couldn’t come up with an athletic catch but the Bears still had one second left.
Trubisky completed a short pass to Tarik Cohen, who lateraled it back to Trubisky, who lateraled it back to Jesper Horsted, who made a bad lateral and Tramon Williams recovered it at the 2-yard line and stayed on the turf to end the game and preserve the victory.
It wasn’t an easy win. The Packers missed a lot of opportunities to put this game away earlier, but the Bears are not a team that will just go away. The Packers don’t have many wins this year that haven’t featured drama late in the game. They still are 11-3 and have a great chance to win their division and host at least one playoff game.
One thing I will not do is put limitations on this team. I have heard that this team is vulnerable entering the playoffs. Every team in the league has their weaknesses. The San Francisco 49ers just lost at home to the Atlanta Falcons. Those same Falcons defeated the New Orleans Saints on the road. The Vikings looked awful on offense when they faced the Bears. By the way, the Packers already have a win over the Vikings. The Cleveland Browns won at Baltimore vs the Ravens. I can give more examples but I think I’ve made my point. Let’s not dismiss this Packer team so quickly. Look at where they were just a year ago. They had two losing seasons and were heading in the wrong direction. This has been a remarkable comeback year for this franchise. I am not giving up on this team.
I don’t know about anyone else but I am going to enjoy this win. It never gets old seeing the Packers defeat the Bears. The Packers have an extra day to prepare for their next opponent as they will face the Minnesota Vikings on the road for Monday Night Football. Enjoy the win and have a great week Packer fans!
Go Pack Go!
@DieHardPackrFan #DHPF #GregGoshaw @gg901
