The Green Bay Packers (4-2) are back. Green Bay pummeled the injured Bears 26-10 at Lambeau Field for their second divisional win of the season. Green Bay needed this one badly and dominated the second half after a sloppy first half in the red zone. Let’s take a look at what happened.
Sloppy First Half
The Bears went 3 and out to start the game and looked sluggish. They were forced to punt and Trevor Davis fumbled on the return but the Packers luckily recovered. Green Bay marched 53 yards on 13 plays but had to settle for a Mason Crosby field goal when Randall Cobb couldn’t get his second foot in bounds on 3rd down. Packers led 3-0.
The Bears responded with one first down on a 25 yard play to Josh Bellamy (for the injured Eddie Royal). Hoyer missed deep to a wide open Bellamy on the next third down and the Bears had to punt again. Green Bay drove 90 yards on 11 plays but got stuffed on a 4th and goal run by Ty Montgomery. All those yards for nothing and the score remained 3-0.
The Bears showed signs of life with Hoyer with four first downs on the next drive. However, the drive stalled on 3rd and 6 when Hoyer was pressured by Matthews and Peppers. Hoyer threw incomplete and broke his arm on the play. This was a tough break (literally) for the Bears because they had to turn to third string QB Matt Barkley for the rest of the game. Kyle Long was also injured. The Bears were missing 7 offensive starters and a backup QB at this point.
Chicago defense held strong after two first downs allowed and forced Green Bay on their lone punt of the night. Chicago had life with Barkley. The Bears running game showed life with a 24 yard run by Kadeem Carey and a first down run by Jordan Howard. Barkley threw an 11 yard strike to Alshon Jeffrey. The Bears earned a field goal and tied the game at 3-3.
Green Bay responded with a 10 play 52 yard drive. The drive stalled at the Bears 22 yard line and Green Bay led only 6-3 at half time.
Dominate Second Half Sans One Play
Green Bay started at their own 15 yard line after a stupid return by Jeff Janis coming out of the endzone. The Bears defense made Green Bay pay on 3rd down. Rookie 1st round pick Leonard Floyd stripped Rodgers and returned the fumble for a touchdown. The Bears were pulling off a miracle up 10-6.
They angered Aaron Rodgers. You won’t like him when he’s angry. Green Bay drove 13 plays and 85 yards for a TD to take the lead. Davante Adams finally broke out (though facing undrafted CBs) and Ty Montgomery and Randall Cobb ran and received well for Green Bay. A questionable catch on 3rd down that was reviewed and upheld continued the drive for Green Bay in the red zone. This play may not have changed the result of the game but it was huge for momentum for Green Bay at the time. Settling for another field goal would have been frustrating. The trap/catch allowed the Packers to get their mojo back.
Green Bay led 13-10. The Bears got two first downs on the next drives but punted yet again. Nick Perry had a 9 yard sack that killed the drive. Green Bay was hot and drove 88 yards in 8 plays. Rodgers was on fire hitting Adams, Cobb and Montgomery. A back-shoulder fade wasn’t well thrown but Adams adjusted against a clueless Bears CB. Adams caught his second TD of the night and had a huge game. Adams wasn’t supposed to play but passed the concussion protocol the day of the game. Green Bay Packers fans are glad he did.
The Bears went 3 and out as expected. Green Bay drove 74 yards in 13 plays. Rodgers went over 300 yards and had 100.2 rating. Rodgers hit Randall Cobb for Rodger’s third touchdown of the day. Green Bay led 26-10 after a missed Crosby extra point.
Matt Barkley threw an interception to Blake Martinez. The Packers drive stalled and Crosby’s 31 yard field goal was blocked. The Bears had one more chance but Barkley threw his second interception. This time Nick Perry nabbed it. Perry is having a very strong season on a one year deal for Green Bay. Time to pay the man. Rodgers kneeled and the Packers won 26-10.
This was an expected performance for Rodgers after struggling against the Cowboys. Green Bay travels to Atlanta for a big showdown in the Georgia Dome. The Bears (1-6) host the Vikings (5-0) next. Chicago’s seasons appears to be done by October. The Pack are back at least for one week.