Owning Up to the Moment: Green Bay Sweeps Chicago

Another chapter has been written into the Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers rivalry, and it feels like a page was turned with a few new paragraphs waiting to be written. However, was this the last game against the team Aaron Rodgers self-proclaims to be the owner of? That remains to be seen.

The Packers swept their oldest division rival 28-19 on Sunday as they move to 5-8 heading into their long-awaited bye week. The victory was number 787 total for the Packers and is now the most by any team in NFL history, a mark that ironically surpassed the Bears who held the record at 786.

The way how the game played out was an example of how much these two teams play tough against each other, even with poor records on both sides.

After trailing at the most by 13 points during the first half and then taking a one point lead with under 5 minutes left in the 4th quarter, the Packers intercepted Justin Fields just before the 2-minute warning to essentially ice the game.

Three plays later, a 46 yard touchdown run by Christian Watson on a play that completed faked everyone out and a two point conversion by Marcedes Lewis put the game to bed.

The sequence was a culmination of a solid second-half performance for the Packers that was highlighted by three straight scoring drives, two interceptions, and a blocked field goal. The 18 point 4th quarter was the most for Green Bay in any game this season and the defense only allowed one field goal in the third quarter.

While the Packers owned the second half, Rodgers's contribution wasn't the one that mattered the most. The 39 year old quarterback was 18 of 31 for 182 yards and 1 touchdown, but was 0 for 4 on passes longer than 20 yards. While he had a clean pocket for most of the game, he only averaged 6 yards on his throws inside. Rodgers has been dealing with a broken right thumb for most of the season and a rib injury from last week's game against the Eagles, but will benefit from a week off to rest up and let those heal.

There was plenty of help all around to keep the Packers from letting the game slip away from them. Christian Watson continued his scoring hot streak, catching a touchdown pass from Rodgers and running for another to bring his season total to 9. The rookie has scored 8 touchdowns in the last 4 games and was named the NFC Offensive Rookie of the Month for November.

Allen Lazard kept the Packers offense moving, with 5 receptions for 5 first downs and averaged 13 yards a catch. AJ Dillon rushed for 93 yards on 18 carries and also produced 5 first downs, with the biggest one coming on a 21-yard touchdown run that cut the deficit down to 2 in the 4th quarter.

Despite allowing 121 passing yards, Jaire Alexander had 7 tackles and 3 stops as well as the first of two interceptions thrown by Fields late. Keisean Nixon had the other interception and only allowed one reception thrown towards him as the secondary took advantage of a depleted Bears receiving corp.

Additionally, DeVondre Campbell was active for the first time since Week 8 against the Buffalo Bills. While the ILB allowed 7 receptions, he led the defense in tackles and made 3 stops on the day.

The Packers have won 8 straight games over the Bears dating back to the 2019 season and the one on Sunday eliminated their long-time rivals from playoff contention. Green Bay sits only 3 games out of a Wild Card spot, but are still behind the Detroit Lions in the race and the division.

In terms of tiebreakers, Green Bay doesn't have that advantage against the New York Giants or Washington Commanders in the Wild Card spots as of Week 13. The two losses against both teams, plus an ugly showing against the Lions pushed the Packers too far out of the picture but they're not completely out of frame. Whatever happens in the bye week with the teams ahead of Green Bay in the playoff race will create an interesting setup for the final 4 weeks of the season.