In all of sports, there may be no rivalry that is bigger than the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears. It is the type of game that means just as much as the entire season. As a Packers fan, I would only be able to stomach a losing season as long as my team won both games against the Bears.
Heading into Sunday, this was a season-defining game for the Packers. The convincing 37-3 win propelled them to 5-5 and put them even with the Bears. A loss at this crucial point in the year would have dropped them to 4-6 and place insurmountable pressure on the Packers’ first year starter, Aaron Rodgers.
No doubt, the vicious Packers’ secondary was drooling at the chance to face the battered Bears passing game led by Quarterback Kyle Orton. Orton was coming off an ankle injury, causing him to miss last week’s game. Clearly, Orton, a Purdue alum, was bothered by his ankle as he was rather ineffective throwing for just 138 yards on 13 of 26 passing, with no touchdowns. Rex Grossman relieved Orton late in the fourth quarter.
Leading the offensive surge for Green Bay was the running back tandem of Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson. Grant accumulated 145 yards on the ground on 25 carries, while finding the end zone once. Brandon Jackson, the second year back out of Nebraska, finally proved he belongs, as he had 50 yards on 10 carries and contributed well in the receiving game as a weapon for Rodgers out of the backfield.
In the passing game, Rodgers was 23 of 30 for 227 yards and two touchdowns. His only blemish came on a poor throw intended for Donald Driver that was picked off by Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher.
Greg Jennings and Donald Lee caught the touchdowns for Green Bay. Driver added 60 yards on four receptions.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Pack’s defensive unit played a stellar game despite the absence of middle line backer Nick Barnett. Bears’ rookie running back Matt Forte was held to a modest 64 yards on 16 carries. Packers’ linebackers AJ Hawk and Brandon Chillar led the team with seven tackles apiece, while Charles Woodson had the lone sack, his second of the season.
Adding to the well-rounded performance was the Packer’s special teams unit as kicker Mason Crosby put last week’s crucial miss behind him as he was a perfect 3 for 3.
The victory puts Green Bay in a tie for first place with the Bears and the Vikings, who lost to the Buccaneers on Sunday. With the New Orleans Saints due up next for the Packers, they have to be riding high following a 37 point performance against the Bears.
Sunday’s win for the Packers improves their record to 80-90-6 all time in this rivalry, which has been taking place since 1921.
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