Packers dispatch of their oldest rivals to clinch a playoff berth
The Packers are 9-8 and playoff bound after defeating their oldest rivals, the Chicago Bears, 17-9 at Lambeau Field on Sunday afternoon.
The Bears won the coin toss and got the ball first, driving down for a field goal. The Packers answered by driving down the field, but Anders Carlson missed his FG attempt. The Packers scored a touchdown on their next possession, but they were unable to add to their lead before halftime, as they led 7-6. They scored a touchdown on their first possession in the second half and the teams traded field goals. The Packers kept the ball and ran out the clock, punching their ticket to the postseason.
Thoughts about this win:
Jordan Love was efficient through the air, going 27 of 32 for 316 yards and 2 touchdowns. Aaron Jones was efficient on the ground 22 carries for 111 yards, including a 10-yard burst that sealed the win. Jayden Reed had 4 receptions for 112 yards. Bo Melton and Dontayvion Wicks both made huge receptions with Wicks scoring the 2 touchdowns for the Packers. The Packers had 5 sacks on defense.
It was a battle throughout but one that no penalties until the fourth quarter. Neither team had a drive where they went 3 and out. The margin in the game was never more than 8 points, so it was competitive throughout until Jones ran for 10 yards on the first play after the 2-minute warning to clinch it.
It was not without some mistakes, however. Carlson missed a 41-yard FG attempt after Love was sacked for the only time in the game on the Packers’ first possession. Tucker Kraft cut up the field late in the first half instead of getting out of bounds right away, burning away valuable seconds. It came back to bite them at the end of the half as Wicks was tackled out of bounds moving backwards, and the Packers were unable to add to their lead before halftime. Jordan Love had a great game, but he lost a fumble in the second half after scrambling for a first down, the only turnover of the game.
When all was said and done though, the Packers defeated the Bears for the 10th time in a row, matching their longest winning streak over their bitter rivals, a streak they accomplished from the start of 1994 through the 1998 season. The all-time streak is now at 107-95-6 in favor of the Packers.
The Bears came into the game on a bit of a roll and were looking to keep the Packers out of the playoffs. The Packers were having none of that kind of talk though. The crowd was into it all game long, not bad considering there is nothing else to do in Green Bay, or so we’ve been told.
Due to the Rams winning on the road vs the 49ers, the Packers got the #7 spot, which means they will be playing the Cowboys on the road. The game will be next Sunday in the late afternoon on FOX.
This is quite an accomplishment for a team that was a huge disappointment a year ago. With a different quarterback and a receiving corps that has 2 or less years of experience plus a defense that has been shaky most of the season and a new punter and kicker, and with the highs and lows of winning some thrilling games and some heartbreaking losses, they are a playoff team. Now that we are in the playoffs, let’s make some noise and have some fun while we are here. Have a great week Packer fans! Our season continues!
Go Pack Go!
@DieHardPackersFan #DHPF #GregGoshaw @gg901
