With first place in the NFC North on the line, the Packers played clean, did not turn the ball over against and Bears, and won 24-14 at Soldier Field Sunday afternoon. “That defense is one of the top in the NFL… tough to run against and tough to throw against,” said Packers’ Head Coach Matt LaFleur following the win. LaFleur is now 5-0 vs Chicago and Green Bay is 5-1 on the season.
The Packers’ balanced attack, passing for 195 yds and rushing for 154, wasn’t spectacular and yet was enough combined with a decent-ish effort from the Pack D, which turned over Bears’ Rookie QB Justin Fields with a pick late in the first half.
He Said What?
With 4:30 to go in the 4th, up 17-14 Packers QB Aaron Rodgers may have thrown some gasoline on the NFL’s oldest rivalry. “All my f*cking life I own you!” Rodgers screamed towards the Bears’ fans after scrambling into the end zone for a six-yard game-clinching TD run. “I still own you!” Rodgers added as he and his offense celebrated in the Soldier Field end zone.
In his post-game presser, Rodgers addressed his scream-celebration. “I looked up in the stands and in the front row, all I saw was a woman giving me the double bird. So I’m not sure what came out of my mouth next,” he said.
Maybe Rodgers “isn’t sure” of what was said, but you can bet the Bears will remember it. And, so do Rodgers teammates. “I love it,” said Packers’ RB Aaron Jones, “what can you say? He’s right.” Rodgers is now 21-4 vs Chicago in the reglar season.
The Feelings:
For most Packers’ fans, no feeling can ever exceed beating their hated rival the Bears. Especially on the road and on their home turf. Especially to secure first place in the division. Especially with such an emphatic pronouncement of domination by their reigning MVP QB.
Pack fans are sure to wake up today feeling good about the last 5 games, all solid wins and the last 2 on the road. What about the defense? The Packers D is still extremely shaky and has given up TDs 100% of the time the opponent has gotten into the red-zone. And as bad as they have been on D, they seem bo be getting stopps when needed – or at least enought stops to allow the offense to win games. The Bears were just 5 for 13 on 3rd and 4th downs. And Fields was 16 for 27 passing.
You likely missed it:
Packers punter Corey Bojorquez boomed an 82-yard punt to close out the 3rd quarter. His monster punt traveled some 65 yards through the air rolling into the end zone for a touchback. Packers fans, many of whom questioned the trade for Bojorquez, are liking the trade now. The punt actually traveled 101 yards as it left his foot at the 7 and rolled 8 yards into the end zone. Shades of David Beverly and Paul Hornung.
The Facts:
Packers 24 Bears 14
Turnovers 0/1
Sacks 4/37 vs 3/26
3rd&4th DN 3/9 vs 5/15
Rushing 31/154 vs 26/140
Passing 17/23/323 vs 16/27/277
Penalties 3/51 vs 7/54
The Packers host Football Team Sunday at Noon at Lambeau Field.
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