Packer Post-Op Chicago

Lambeau Live WI State Fair
8/3/2018  dwm photo

This game was closer to what I want, but when it came down to it, Chicago was the better team as they took down the Pack, 24 - 17.

This game was an old fashioned game reminiscent of what used to be called the "Black and Blue" division.

The Bears scored on their second possession after a 60 yard drive finished on a 10 yard run to the end zone.  Green Bay managed a 41 yard Mason Crosby field goal to close the gap mid-way through the second quarter.

It was a tough, physical game with the Packer and Bear defenses making most of the noise.

A Green Bay stop of the Bears lead, unfortunately, to an early turning point.  Chicago punted from near the 50.  Their cover man caught the ball at the 2 yard line.  It was a Packer first down in the shadow of their goal post with 2:17 to play in the  half.

The Bears held.  The Packers punted.  Chicago took over with 1:42 remaining.  Green Bay defenders were unable to stop the Monsters of the Midway.  The Bears found the goal line on a 10 yard run to take a 14 - 3 halftime lead.

It felt like a bigger margin than that, and it was hard to picture the Packer offense driving the field to tighten the score after the break... which is why they play the game.

Green Bay put up three the first time they had the ball,  Chicago got greedy and faked a punt, but came up short, giving the Packers the ball at midfield.  Five minutes later Jamaal Williams ran it in and the two point conversion worked to tie the game.

I thought the game turned for good when the Bears fumbled the ball on a trick play, but their outstanding defense forced a Green Bay punt three plays later.  

In the fourth quarter, Chicago posted a field goal; then picked off a deflected Aaron Rodgers pass in the end zone to prevent a score with three minutes left.

The Packer effort was laudable, but not enough, as a field goal with under a minute cut the lead to 7 and the Bears recovered an onside kick.

Packer play-off hopes --- over.

Packer 8 game winning streak in Chicago --- over.

Aaron Rodgers interception-free pass attempt streak --- over, but a new NFL record of 402 throws.

The all-time series with Chicago stands at 97 wins for Green Bay and 95 for the Bears with 6 ties.

All that's left is playing for pride as the  5 - 8 - 1 Pack flies to New York to play the Jets before returning to entertain the Lions.