Green Bay does what it takes to take another step
A quick recap of the Green Bay Packers’ 35-16 win against the Chicago Bears on Sunday at Soldier Field.
Big picture
Packers safety Adrian Amos led a chorus of Packers players who emphasized that their work isn’t done despite winning the NFC’s top seed and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. Aaron Rodgers finally will get his wish of hosting the NFC championship game if Green Bay wins its first playoff game (against one of several possible opponents; only the Saints and Seahawks are assured of not facing the Packers in the second round). The Packers finished with a 13-3 regular-season record for the second straight year.
Turning point
The Bears kept the game competitive and trailed only 21-16 after kicking a field goal with 5:03 left in the third quarter. They got the ball back when the Packers went three-and-out, and it seemed like a game that could do down to the wire. But after gaining first downs on their first three fourth-down attempts, the Bears were stymied when Packers cornerback Chandon Sullivan broke up a fourth-and-1 pass with 11:22 minutes remaining. The Packers then put together a time-consuming 12-play, 76-yard drive capped by a four-yard Aaron Jones run with 3:47 left to take command.
Thumbs up
Rodgers isn’t always at his best against the Bears, but he put on a flawless first-half performance: 10-for-10 for 155 yards, three TDs and a 158.3 rating. He finished 19-for-24 for four TDs and no interceptions and made earning a third MVP award pretty much a done deal. Davante Adams sure thinks so. “The MVP should be locked up,” the Packers’ star receiver said. “There’s nothing else to really talk about.”
Thumbs down
More special teams mishaps. The game opened with Mason Crosby’s kickoff going out of bounds (through a clever play by Bears returner Cordarrelle Patterson in downing it). That set the Bears up at the 40-yard line and led to a touchdown. Early in the second quarter, Packers punt returner Travon Austin lost a fumble and the Bears recovered at the Packers’ 20. But Green Bay’s defense held firm and forced Chicago to settle for a field goal.
5 things to watch revisited
1. LIFE BEYOND BAKHTIARI: Just like the Packers attacked the spot where injured Bears DT Akiem Hicks lines up in their first meeting, the Bears figured to try to attack any weakness that appeared due to the season-ending knee injury to LT David Bakhtiari. As expected, the Packers opened with Billy Turner at LT, Rick Wagner at RT and Lucas Patrick at RG. Turner started all three games at LT when Bakhtiari had broken ribs, so it made sense to put him there. And the unit didn’t miss a beat when it came to pass protection: Rodgers generally had plenty of time to look for receivers and was sacked only once.
2. TO RUN OR NOT TO RUN: The Bears were without starting cornerback Jaylon Johnson (shoulder) and nickel back Buster Skrine (concussion). With a banged-up secondary, Packers coach Matt LaFleur could look for some yards to be gained through the air, especially if defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano decided to load up on the run. The Packers rushed for 182 yards in the first meeting and while some of that had to do with Hicks being out, the Bears aren’t the run-stuffing team they once were. Following rookie AJ Dillon’s 124-yard performance and with the return of Jamaal Williams (thigh), LaFleur had a triple threat in the backfield. But the running game did have tougher sledding with Hicks in the lineup, gaining 79 yards on 19 carries. Dillon, a week after bulldozing the Titans, had only one carry for 3 yards.
3. NO-PENALTY POLICY: The previous Sunday against Tennessee, the Packers did not commit a penalty in a game for the first time since Nov. 4, 2013. Their last no-penalty game before that was Dec. 25, 2011. Both of those games were against the Bears. The Packers have been fairly disciplined this season when it comes to penalties, and as chippy as a Packers-Bears game can get, the team that kept its cool and played the most disciplined football could gain an advantage. Both teams managed to keep their cool: The Packers were penalized four times for 30 yards, the Bears just once for 16.
4. OUTSIDE IN: The defense’s performance against the Titans last week was notable in that the outside linebacker trio of Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith and Rashan Gary protected the edge in the run game better than it had all year. It was a big reason why running back Derrick Henry didn’t have a run longer than 10 yards. The three continually funneled Henry inside toward the defensive linemen and refused to let him get around the corner. Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine needed another performance like that against running back David Montgomery, especially if Pettine could get some quality snaps out of NT Damon “Snacks” Harrison, who was brought in to clog up the middle. The Bears ran a conservative offense that saw quarterback Mitch Trubisky throw mostly short passes while giving the ball frequently to running back David Montgomery (22 carries for 69 yards and a TD). Trubisky was 33for-42 for 252 yards and a game-sealing interception by former Bears safety Amos.
5. MEANING SOMETHING: Lateseason games between the Packers and Bears haven’t meant much the past six years, but both teams had something at stake Sunday. The Bears were guaranteed a wild-card playoff berth if they win but could sneak in through the back door regardless of the outcome if Arizona lost to the Los Angeles Rams. The Packers were guaranteed home-field advantage if they won but could still get the top seed if Seattle lost to San Francisco. As it turned out, the Packers got what they wanted and the Bears, although they lost, got the consolation prize of a playoff berth when the Cardinals lost 18-7 to the Rams. Chicago will play next weekend at New Orleans and, should they upset the Saints, would earn another date with the Packers at Lambeau Field.
Packers 2021 schedule almost set
Here is the Packers’ 2021 home and away schedule:
Home: Bears, Vikings, Lions, Rams, Seahawks, Browns, Steelers and the NFC East winner (Washington or the Giants).
Away: Bears, Vikings, Lions, Cardinals, Ravens, Bengals, 49ers and Saints.
There also will be an additional opponent if a 17th game is approved, as expected.