Brian Urlacher was a Packer killer for 13 seasons. We’re happy he had such a great career and yes, we will miss him – especially all those wins the Packers had over him and his Chicago Bears teams.
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports photograph

After 13 seasons of manning the middle of the field and blowing up backfields across the National Football League, Chicago Bears linebacker extraordinaire Brian Urlacher has called it quits.

Like longtime Green Bay Packer Charles Woodson, Urlacher has been waiting for a team to call for his services this offseason. Woodson signed with the Oakland Raiders yesterday, but after his prolonged wait, Urlacher decided today it was time.

Here’s the statement Urlacher released this morning:

“After spending a lot of time this spring thinking about my NFL future, I have made the decision to retire. Although I could continue playing, I’m not sure I would bring a level of performance or passion that’s up to my standards. When considering this, along with the fact that I could retire after 13-year career wearing only one jersey for such a storied franchise, my decision became pretty clear.

“I want to thank all the people in my life that have help me along the way,” Urlacher continued. “I will miss my teammates, my coaches, and the great Bears fans. I’m proud to say that I gave all of you everything I had every time I took the field. I will miss the great game, but I leave with no regrets.”

So, as Packers fans, we here at Lombardiave.com congratulate Urlacher on an incredible career and oddly enough, we will miss him. For every single of those 13 years, Urlacher has been a Packer killer. Some of the biggest plays in his career have come against the Bears’ arch-rival Green Bay.

In addition to the interception Urlacher returned a bazillion yards against Brett Favre in 2007, there are two other plays that stand out … the first was on Sept. 17, 2004, when he stripped Ahman Green in the backfield on the 3-yard line and then leveled Brett Favre with a block that led to a touchdown return by Mike Browns; the second was when he intercepted Aaron Rodgers at the goal line in the 2010 NFC Championship Game that he returned to midfield before being tripped up by Rodger in a touchdown-saving and possibly game-saving tackle.

Yes, we will miss Urlacher, but wish him the best in the years to come. He was a great competitor and represented Chicago well.

Here’s Urlacher’s interception of Aaron Rodgers … just for old-time’s sake:

Packers vs. Bears – it’s the best rivalry in all of football, bar none.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears, in my opinion, is still the number one rivalry in all of the National Football League – that’s despite the recent number three ranking by Russell S. Baxter over at The Bleacher Report.

Number three?

Really?

And the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. the Baltimore Ravens and Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning rank above the most storied rivalry in all of football?

Really?

Players come, players go, but the Packers vs. Bears continues to be a huge rivalry.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

No offense to Mr. Baxter, who admits in his ranking that the Packers vs. Bears certainly deserve to be top 3, but says that because the Packers have dominated the Bears of late that it slips the rivalry out of the top two spots.

Well, if you’re taking the “what have you done for me lately” perspective, I can see Mr. Baxter’s ranking. But if you’re looking at a more broad spectrum – like the past 90-plus years – there isn’t a rivalry that holds a candle to Packers vs. Bears. And that’s considering not just the NFL, but all of sports. Yes, you can argue Yankees vs. Red Sox all you want, but Packers vs. Bears has got to be number one.

I can’t begin to list the great games, the great matchups and the general hatred between the two franchises – the fact that it’s big city versus small town, big money versus blue collar, or Mike Ditka versus Forrest Gregg – those are only a minuscule number of the factors that have made this the greatest rivalry of all time.

The two franchises have been meeting since 1921, and it’s been since 1925 that they have met at least twice each season. That’s a hell of a long stretch of games – providing generations with the taste of blood. Once it’s there, the fans are hooked. Like Mr. Baxter says, all you have to do is take a seat at Lambeau Field or Soldier Field when the two teams take the field to get a feel for what it’s all about.

Yes, there have been many winning streaks by both teams over the years that have given one team or the other the immediate advantage, but that matters not. In the wash, it all comes down to each individual Sunday that these two teams have collided on the gridiron. Every single game has its cast of characters; each indivdidual season has its drama.

They may gather for prayer at the end, but when they’re on the field it’s all about the rivalry.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

When the season schedule is released each spring, you can bet that every Packers or Bears fan worth their salt looks at where those two games fall and make plans to be ready to watch or attend.

What do Packers and Bears fans look forward to most when the season starts – you got it – when they will meet. In fact, even if their team finishes 2-14, it’s a successful season it is if those two wins comes against the other team.

Overall, Mr. Baxter’s list of rivalries is a fun look at the NFL, but I feel there’s no way that the blip on the screen that is Brady vs. Manning or the Steelers vs. Ravens should rank above Packers vs. Bears.

What do you think, Packers and Bears fans?

Let us know by leaving a comment below, or by clicking over to our Facebook and Twitter accounts.

DBrian Urlacher tackles Green Bay Packers running back James Starks at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Bears 35-21. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Brian Urlacher is a demon, a monster and a Packer-killer, but that’s why this Green Bay Packers fan will miss seeing him hunting along the line of scrimmage and tracking down running backs.

OK, now put down your pitchforks and douse those torches … any fan of the game of football has got to appreciate what Urlacher has done to promote the league and make the Chicago Bears one of the best franchises – but of course not quite up to the level of the Packers.

We’ve all called Urlacher’s name out when the Bears have played the Packers – most of the time with an expletive either in front or behind his name. That’s a part of football – a great part of football. And I will miss it.

Ryan Grant is tackled by Brian Urlacher in the second half of a 2011 game at Soldier Field. The Packers defeated the Bears 27-17. Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

How can one not appreciate watching a guy like Urlacher the past 13 years? Like Charles Woodson, he was an icon, a classy guy who loved to play. And like Woodson, he’s also been on the outside looking in – a hall-of-famer without a team and certainly in the twilight of his career. Will he end up anywhere? Is it time to hang them up? If it is, I will miss him.

Like Woodson, the two of them want to play and both of them still feel they have what it takes to compete and be a contributing member of an NFL team. Whether any of the 32 teams in the league think the same way is highly doubtful, but there’s been talk he might end up in Minnesota. If he doesn’t, I will miss him.

I will miss Urlacher’s intensity and determination. It seemed like every time he played the Packers he would come up with a huge play. Well, it wasn’t every game, but he had a few of his bigger moments when playing Green Bay.

In fact, I came across this post recently - “Brian Urlacher’s Greatest hits — 2000-13″ that I would like to share with you. Of the top 10 greatest moments of Urlacher’s career as determined by the Chicago Sun Times, 50 percent of them were against the Packers. Here ya go … take a look and remember … but also remember that the Packers’ record against the Bears from 2000-13 was 18-9. So, though Urlacher did his job in disrupting the Packers during his career, his record against Green Bay wasn’t so great.

I will miss him and will miss watching the Packers have their way with a player of his caliber.

Brian Urlacher’s Greatest Hits — 2000-13

Dec. 23, 2007: Returned an interception of Brett Favre 85 yards for a touchdown to put the finishing touch on a 35-3 rout of the Packers at Soldier Field.

Jan. 23, 2011: With the Bears trailing the Packers 14-0 in the third quarter of the NFC Championship Game, Urlacher intercepted Aaron Rodgers at the Bears 6 and might have gone all the way for a momentum-changing touchdown had Rodgers not tripped him up at the Bears 45 for a 39-yard return.

Sept. 27, 2010: In a 17-17 tie with the Packers with 2:27 to go, Urlacher forced wide receiver James Jones to fumble after a 12-yard gain to midfield. Bears cornerback Tim Jennings recovered and Robbie Gould kicked a 19-yard field goal with four seconds left to give the Bears a 20-17 victory at Soldier Field.

Sept. 19, 2004: With the Packers driving to take the lead on a first-and-goal play from the 2-yard line in the second quarter, Urlacher stripped the ball from running back Ahman Green in the backfield and Mike Brown returned the fumble 95 yards for a game-changing touchdown as the Bears ended a seven-game losing streak against the Packers with a 21-10 victory at Lambeau Field. Urlacher had 14 tackles (10 solo) in that game.

Dec. 4, 2005: En route to winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, Urlacher had 16 tackles (13 solo), including one tackle-for-loss and two pass-breakups in a 19-7 victory over the Packers at Soldier Field for the Bears’ eighth consecutive victory after a 1-3 start.

Here’s Urlacher’s interception of Brett Favre in 2007 …

Apr 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; A general view of the NFL shield logo and main stage before the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

We have always liked Ted Thompson’s comments about the NFL Draft and his baseball analogythat it’s not always

The Green Bay Packers war room. Ted Thompson sits at the head of the table (left).

possible to hit home runs when you come to bat – that’s it’s a matter of working the averages and scoring when you can.

For all four teams in the NFC North, there were some hits and misses, as you can see and read below in the individual team grades provided below by walterfootball.com.

Who did better? Who did worse? Again, you could pull together the specific numbers, but at this point in April that’s a bit foolish – we all know championships aren’t won in the offseason – they are won when players hit the field, coaches do their magic and things like schedule and injuries start to work their mystical effects on just how the NFL season transpires.

What we can see clearly below is that each of these teams took a different path in this draft – with many of the moves based on total numbers of picks, where they were situated and the players available to them at the time of each team’s selections.

There were some surprises (Kyle Long to the Bears; Nate Palmer to the Packers; and Jeff Locke to the Vikings), but there were some home runs, too (Sharrif Floyd to the Vikings; Eddie Lacy to the Packers; Cornellius Washington to the Bears; and Larry Warford to the Lions).

Minnesota Vikings 1st round draft pick Sharrif Floyd
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

How this particular draft gets judged will be debated for the next several months as the “experts” tear apart the numbers, the names and the statistics. But one thing is for certain – as each of these teams spend the next week or so signing undrafted free agents to complete their rosters heading into the training portion of the NFL season, all of them have improved their status with fresh, enthusiastic and young talent that will change the landscape once again across the NFL.

For all of the NFC North selections, see below. And don’t forget to click on over to walterfootball.com for more information than one can absorb in a lifetime … it’s an incredible football site.

 Chicago Bears (Last Year: 10-6) 

2013 NFL Draft Individual Grades: 

Kyle Long speaks during a Chicago Bears press conference.
Reid Compton-USA TODAY Sports

20. Kyle Long, G, Oregon: D Grade 
Well… at least this fills… a need… Umm… I’m kind of speechless right now. With Tyler Eifert and stud defenders like Desmond Trufant and Sylvester Williams available, the Bears decided to take an inexperienced second-round guard. Long may have been around for Chicago’s next selection, so this pick is extremely questionable.

Follow @walterfootball for updates.

50. Jon Bostic, ILB, Florida: B Grade 
The Bears hope they’ve landed their successor for Brian Urlacher. Middle linebacker was a big need, and Jon Bostic is definitely worthy of being chosen 50th overall. I would have gone with Arthur Brown, but there must be major medical concerns with him because he has first-round talent.

117. Khaseem Greene, OLB, Rutgers: A Grade 
Khaseem Greene was viewed as a second-round talent by many, but it’s not too surprising to see him fall a bit because he doesn’t fit many defenses. The Bears don’t mind though, as they fill a need with a good value selection. s

163. Jordan Mills, OT, Louisiana Tech: B Grade 
So, I guess the Bears wanted to focus on the offensive line and linebacker groups in the draft. Jordan Mills is a right tackle who should be able to challenge J’Marcus Webb. He fits the range, so this is a solid pick.

188. Cornelius Washington, DE, Georgia: A+ Grade 
I don’t understand why Cornelius Washington fell to the middle of the sixth round. Washington is a Day 2 talent. He is raw, but that’s fine because the Bears won’t really need him until Julius Peppers moves on.

236. Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington State: A- Grade 
Why not? Marquess Wilson was once considered a second-round prospect, but he quit on his team because he didn’t get along with head coach Mike Leach. It has to be considered that Leach is a bad guy, so Chicago is right to take a shot on Wilson.

 Detroit Lions (Last Year: 4-12) 

2013 NFL Draft Individual Grades: 

5.

Detroit Lions first round draft pick Ezekiel Ansah.
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

, DE, BYU: B+ Grade 
Finally, a good pick! I’m tired of bashing these teams. Well, OK, maybe not. But this selection makes so much sense. The Lions had a close look at Ezekiel Ansah at the Senior Bowl where he dominated the competition during the actual game. He’s a great fit in Detroit’s wide-nine formation, and will replace the departed Cliff Avril. He’ll be instrumental in Detroit’s pursuit of Green Bay in the NFC North.

Follow @walterfootball for updates.

36. Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi State: B- Grade 
Darius Slay was projected to go in the first half of the second round, so the range of this pick makes sense. Cornerback was also a need, though not as great of a need as people think. Having said that, what Detroit plans on doing at left tackle is beyond me. Matthew Stafford probably won’t make it through the 2013 season.

65. Larry Warford, G, Kentucky: A Grade 
This is an awesome pick. Larry Warford should have been chosen near the top of the second round. He is monstrous mauler who figures to be a huge upgrade on the interior of Detroit’s offensive line.

132. Devin Taylor, DE, South Carolina: B Grade 
The Lions had to find two defensive ends in this draft because they lost both Cliff Avril and Kyle Vanden Bosch. Devin Taylor is a good fit in the wide-nine formation, and this is the right range for him.

165. Sam Martin, P, Appalachian State: C- Grade 
Unlike the Vikings, Detroit actually needed a punter. But this is still a bad pick. Again, it’s like selecting a kicker in the 10th or 11th round of a fantasy league. It’s lazy. Solid punters can be found as undrafted free agents.

171. Corey Fuller, WR, Virginia Tech: B- Grade 
I’m surprised the Lions waited this long for a receiver. I feel like there were better options than Corey Fuller, but this is still a fine pick. It’s just disappointing that Detroit couldn’t secure a solid No. 2 option across from Calvin Johnson.

199. Theo Riddick, RB, Notre Dame: B Grade 
Reggie Bush isn’t exactly the most reliable player in the league, so it’s good that the Lions added some depth at running back. At the very worst, Riddick will add some punch in the return game.

211. Michael Williams, TE, Alabama: A- Grade 
This is a solid pick. I thought Michael Williams would go earlier than this. Detroit got a good look at him at the Senior Bowl. The team needed some tight end depth.

245. Brandon Perburn, ILB, Florida A&M: B Grade 
The Lions needed linebacker help, so this makes sense in terms of both need and draft range.

 
 Green Bay Packers (Last Year: 11-5) 

2013 NFL Draft Individual Grades: 

UCLA Bruins defensive end Datone Jones was the Packers first round selection.
Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

26. Datone Jones, DE/DT, UCLA: A- Grade 
Datone Jones has been discussed as high as No. 19 to the Giants, so the Packers are getting good value with Datone Jones. They’re also getting a tremendous upgrade on the defensive line. Green Bay was completely obliterated by Colin Kaepernick, so the team needed to find players to help them stop the read option. Jones is a great fit, as Ted Thompson continues to be one of the better drafters in the NFL.

Follow @walterfootball for updates.

61. Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama: A+ Grade 
Ted Thompson makes this looks so easy. Not only did he sit and wait for the top running back in the 2013 NFL Draft; he also moved down and still managed to maintain him. Eddie Lacy would have been a first-round pick if it weren’t for an injury that he’ll quickly recover from. He’ll be a tremendous upgrade in the backfield.

109. David Bakhtiari, OT/G, Colorado: A Grade 
Ted Thompson loves versatile linemen, and David Bakhtiari definitely fits the bill. He can play both tackle and guard positions, so he’ll definitely help somewhere on an offensive line that needed to be upgraded. Baktiari was an early third-round projection, so the value is good.

122. J.C. Tretter, G/OT, Cornell: B- Grade 
Another versatile offensive lineman, though J.C. Tretter is more of a guard whereas David Bakhtiari should be at tackle. I’m not as crazy about this pick because I feel like Tretter could have been taken a round later.

125. Johnathan Franklin, RB, UCLA: A+ Grade 
Wow, what a steal! Johnathan Franklin was viewed as the top running back in this class by some, so it’s inexplicable that he fell all the way to the bottom of Round 4. Projected as a player similar to Warrick Dunn, Franklin will form a tremendous one-two punch with Eddie Lacy out of the backfield.

159. Micah Hyde, CB/S, Iowa: B Grade 
Micah Hyde played cornerback at Iowa, but he may have to move to safety in the NFL because of speed concerns. Ted Thompson could be fine with that. He likes versatile players and needed help at the safety position. I thought Hyde would go in the middle of the fifth round, so this is the right range for him.

167. Josh Boyd, DE/DT, Mississippi State: B Grade 
It’s no surprise that the Packers spent two selections on the defensive line because they have some expiring contracts coming up soon. Josh Boyd is a solid selection who fits the range as a fifth-round prospect.

193. Nate Palmer, DE/OLB, Illinois State: C Grade 
Nate Palmer wasn’t a draftable prospect, but that’s not a big deal at the end of the sixth round. What’s more surprising is that the Packers waited this long to take a pass-rusher.

216. Charles Johnson, WR, Grand Valley State: B Grade 
Wide receiver is another position I thought the Packers would address earlier. Charles Johnson is a seventh-round prospect, so he makes sense at this spot. He might be able to make the team.

224. Kevin Dorsey, WR, Maryland: C Grade 
This is a much more questionable receiver pick. It’s the seventh round, but I don’t think many would have considered Kevin Dorsey in the old 12-round format.

232. Sam Barrington, LB, South Florida: B Grade 
Considered a seventh-round prospect, Sam Barrington should be able to contribute on special teams and provide solid depth.

 
 Minnesota Vikings (Last Year: 10-6) 

2013 NFL Draft Individual Grades: 

Minnesota Vikings 1st round draft picks Sharrif Floyd (76) and Cordarrelle Patterson (84) and Xavier Rhodes (29) sign autographs and pose for pictures with fan Shane Swanson at the 2013 1st round draft picks press conference at Winter Park.
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

23. Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida: A+ Grade 
Wow, I forgot Sharrif Floyd was available. I feel like some of the other teams like the Bears, Giants and Cowboys did as well. This is the best pick in the 2013 NFL Draft thus far. Floyd is a stud interior pass-rusher who could have easily gone No. 3 to the Raiders. But as we see every year, great prospects fall because dumb teams are picking at the top of the draft.

Follow @walterfootball for updates.

25. Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State: B Grade 
Xavier Rhodes was mocked as early as No. 12 throughout this process, so he definitely provides good value at No. 25. However, the Vikings run the type of defense that allows teams to pass on corners in the first round. Minnesota probably should have filled other needs like receiver. That said, this is still a solid selection because Rhodes could be considered the best player available.

29. Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee: B- Grade 
The 29th and 52nd choices are swapped between Minnesota and New England, so the Vikings are essentially giving up third- and fourth-rounders for this choice. They better make it count, so why not go for the home run with Cordarrelle Patterson? Minnesota desperately needed receiving help after losing Percy Harvin. Patterson is raw – which is why he dropped to No. 29 – but he has so much potential. The problem is that the Vikings don’t have a quarterback to get him the football.

120. Gerald Hodges, OLB, Penn State: B Grade 
The Vikings haven’t picked in nearly 100 selections, but they continue to draft well. Gerald Hodges fits the range and definitely fills a need, as Minnesota’s linebacking corps needs major retooling.

155. Jeff Locke, P, UCLA: D Grade 
I’m not a fan of drafting a punter in the first five rounds, especially when a punter isn’t needed. Maybe the Vikings have grown tired of Chris Kluwe’s Twitter antics, but it’s still not a reason to take a punter at this point. It’s like drafting a kicker in the 11th round of your fantasy league.

196. Jeff Baca, G, UCLA: B Grade 
Pegged as a sixth-round prospect, Jeff Baca should compete for a starting guard job eventually. The position is very weak for Minnesota, so Baca could be an upgrade.

213. Michael Mauti, ILB, Penn State: A Grade 
Maybe I’m biased as a Penn State alumnus, but I love Michael Mauti. He’s an instinctive linebacker with tremendous leadership ability; he kept the team together in the wake of the sex scandal. He would have been a second-day pick had he not torn his ACL. It wouldn’t surprise me if Mauti eventually emerged as the starter.

214. Travis Bond, G, North Carolina: B Grade 
Another guard? Well, Minnesota needed two of them. Travis Bond makes sense in the seventh round.

229. Everett Dawkins, DT, Florida State: A Grade 
Kevin Williams will likely be gone next year, so another defensive tackle makes sense. Everett Dawkins was considered a mid-round prospect, so he’s a bit of a steal here.

A Seattle Seahawks fan holds a the letters “T O” for new wide receiver Terrell Owens (10) during a training camp at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

OK, so this happening is about as far-fetched as Mr. Spock beaming into my living room, but I have to comment on it because Terrell Owens always amuses me – especially when he comes out and says he wants to play for the Chicago Bears.

Yes, I said that right. Yesterday TO came out with a statement saying he would love to play in Chicago for Marc Trestman, his former coach who was with him in San Francisco way back when.

Here’s what TO had to say as reported on my favorite Bears fan site, beargoggleson.com:

I played my first early years in San Francisco with [Bears head coach Marc Trestman] and shortly after that, he left to do some things. I haven’t talked to Marc in a long while. I know he’s gone on and done some things, now he’s back in the NFL. So, I never really thought about it until myself and Napoleon were talking about it earlier, but I would definitely welcome it if they would give it some serious consideration. To think about [Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall] on the other side and me on one side, that’s really dangerous. I’m keeping myself in shape just for any opportunity that may come about.”

I would love for this to happen. First of all, if he were to sign, he would never make the team. The Bears already have Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, Earl Bennett, Eric Weems and Devin Hester. The Bears aren’t going to part anytime soon with any of those guys. If he did make the team he would be riding the bench and would be nothing but a distraction – the best thing that could happen to the Bears. Don’t they have a big enough distraction with that guy by the name of Jay Cutler?

Secondly, TO is just too old. The Bears got rid of Brian Urlacher, so why would they bring in TO? That would be a slap in Urlacher’s face – and another distraction.

So, though it’s not going to happen, the thought of it is amusing and thought I would share it with you.

My question is this: Why would any NFL team consider bringing this guy in?

Move on, TO. There must be some golf courses out there who might welcome your membership.

West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Geno Smith has received subjective criticism from the media that could impact his livelihood. Is it warranted or just another bashing of a black quarterback? Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

By P.J. Root

Special to Lombardiave.com

There are topics that are inherently difficult to broach in our society and in sports – namely the NFL – even as the world becomes more tolerant.

However, two major topics continue to raise their heads – the stigmas of both black quarterbacks and homosexuality in the game of football.

An overwhelming abundance of criticism directed toward black quarterbacks, in addition to the evolving culture change have polarized the league on multiples levels.

Each expanding discussion has turned ugly , oftentimes underhanded, or in some cases blatant concerning both topics in either approval of stereotypes or prejudice of sexual preference.

Rush Limbaugh

Lighting-rod radio host, Rush Limbaugh, years ago dove into the unspoken ideal that African-Americans cannot grasp the quarterback position.

“I think what we’ve had here is a little social concern,” Limbaugh said on ESPN in 2003. “I think the media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well.”

The quarterback Limbaugh was singling out happened to be Donovan McNabb.

Was it based on McNabb’s merit as a mobile and efficient playmaker? Was it based on his Pro Bowls or consistent performances in the brutal NFC East?

No.

It was based on the color of his skin.

McNabb would eventually lead the Philadelphia Eagles to the NFC Championship that very year, and eventually the Super Bowl, yet these words cheapening McNabb’s achievements have lingered.

Cam Newton.
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

These evaluations have become combative concerning attitude with black quarterbacks, especially by Nolan Nawrocki of Pro Football Weekly.

“Very disingenuous — has a fake smile,” Nawrocki wrote. “Comes off as very scripted and has a selfish, me-first makeup.”

There has been a sophomore slump,  but Cam Newton has ignited a franchise by having the ability to create yards through a haymaker arm and punishing feet. None which was mentioned by Nawrocki for the future NFL and Offensive Rookie of the Year.

When speaking of West Virginia’s first round draft prospect Geno Smith, Nawrocki continues down the same path of assessment.

“Nonchalant field presence,” Nawrocki wrote.  ”Does not command respect from teammates and cannot inspire.”

Pretty bleak there – almost brutal.

Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel further expressed viewpoints from unnamed scouts that Redskins QB Griffin  had a “selfish streak,” and questioned the Baylor star’s interpersonal skills.

Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III
Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Was Griffin selfish when hobbling against the Seahawks in the dead marshes of FedEx Field? Battling through constant stabbing pain, Griffin ignored his own security up until his knee finally buckled in his final game of last season. The image of Griffin grasping his lineman’s hand and screaming in pain, fulfilled every cliché about leaving every ounce of one’s self on the field.

Not to mention he was Rookie of the Year.

White quarterbacks, in comparison, have received far less scrutiny in a majority of cases. Jay Cutler of the Chicago Bears, for starters, is not the warmest or best postured of field generals in the league.

Just ask the Chicago offensive line if Cutler exudes selfish, aloof or communication deficiencies. Better yet, ask future Hall of Famer John Lynch. ESPN columnist Rick Reilly wrote that Lynch was forced to hurl Cutler’s phone jut to receive the basic pleasantry of Cutler’s eye contact.

Even Brett Favre in his rowdy early days never encountered the microscopic lens applied to his black counterparts. Stories of late nights, and hung-over mornings are legend around the city of Green Bay, yet stories, if they were written were buried in the hinterlands of newspapers, barely reaching the light of day.

Jay Cutler is known for being aloof.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Cutler and Favre may have been scrutinized for their actions, but those criticisms came long after the draft, instead of during the period of time where every action could and does bring calamitous consequences for future income.

Sometimes skill and personality is not even considered when critiquing a minority QB. Take former ESPN commentator Rod Parker, and his comments about Redskins QB Robert Griffin III.

“Is he a (black) brother, or is he a cornball brother,” Parker said on ESPN First Take. “He’s not one of us.”

The sound byte originated around Griffin’s fiancé, (who happens to be white) which was evidence enough for Parker that Griffin did not fulfill the unwritten requirements of being an African American.

Parker is black.

The level of criticism and constant barrage of commentary creates mirroring parallels to the struggle of a gay teammate in football. Instead of pundits screaming from soapboxes, the passive-aggressive attitude of silent slights and clamped mouths have been just as loud as any publicized denouncement.

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski. Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

The collective mindset of NFL locker rooms can be seen between the lines in commonly abbreviated answers meant to settle the minds of future investments or advocacy groups. Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski illuminates the majority in his recent interview with ESPN.

“Everyone has their own ways to live their life,” Gronkowski said. “…as long as he’s respecting me, keeping distance … I’ll respect him back.”

When referring to distance, what is Gronkowski alluding to? Personal distance? Sexual distance? Emotional distance?  Does the distance apply to QB Tom Brady?

No one is looking for Freudian discoveries from Gronkowski, but when keeping distance is applied to a team member in a sport which demands constant contact and participation, toleration is not enough (e.g. Terrell Owens).

Maybe Gronkowski wanted the distance that Notre Dame Linebacker Manti Te’o wanted when asked if he was gay.

“Faaaarrrrrrr from it.”

Two players known for doing the dirty work on their respective teams, linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo and punter Chris Kluwe, have advanced social awareness of acceptance and understanding of gay players. Both players going as far as becoming involved with overturning California’s Proposition 8, which prohibits same-sex marriage.

Yet, players who also participate in similar advocacy are not as passionate or willing to share their image with the homosexual community as are Ayanbadejo and Kluwe.

Ahmad Brooks of the 49ers and Isaac Sopoaga now of the Eagles appeared in a viral video for the “It Gets Better Project” combatting bullying. When asked about how important the message was for LGBT kids, Brooks and Sopoaga denounced their participation.

San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

“I didn’t make any video,” Brooks said. “It was an anti-bullying video, not a gay video.”

Sopoaga simply said he was never there.

Well, Sopoaga and Brooks were there, and so was teammate Donte Whitner.

“The San Francisco 49ers are proud to join itgetsbetter.org to let all LGBT teens know that it gets better,” Whitner says in the same video. “On behalf of the entire 49ers organization, we are on your side. And we promise: It gets better.”

The two stigmas attached to each subject create interesting conversations. On one hand African Americans are past the “Jackie Robinson” barrier, meaning that the acceptance in the league is real. Homosexuals have reached that barrier, but will the community have to encounter the same baseless criticisms the African American QBs are currently encountering?

Menander once wrote,  “Conscience is a God to all mortals.”

Here is to hoping the NFL and its’ affiliates believe.

How the Packers move from this offseason and into the future will have an impact on this franchise for years to come.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Predictably, Green Bay Packers General Manager Ted Thompson has been silent while the Internet is blowing up and telling what he should be doing.

Yes, the Packers haven’t made any noise in the free agency sweepstakes the past two days, but if you measured the amount of excitement waiting to boil over among those in Packers Nation, one gets the feeling that this is all going to change sometime soon. Those who don’t like the fact that Thompson is the proverbial wallflower – the one who dreads being at the dance, but waits for Prince Charming to come and change life – will be singing a different tune if and when Thompson comes away with both Greg Jennings and Steven Jackson.

Will Greg Jennings continue to catch passes from Aaron Rodgers?
Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Is it possible for both of those players to help the Packers level the free agency playing field? I think so, but Thompson might have to give a bit to get his guys. Yes, Thompson wants those two players at his price, but c’mon, Ted, you’ve also got to bend a bit … not a lot … just a bit.

And once that happens, the Packers will be able to counter what’s been happening across the NFC North and go into the Draft with a couple of fewer imminent needs met.

So just what has been happening across the NFC North?

Here’s a look at each of the teams as provided by the fansided.com team trackers:

Chicago Bears

• signed TE Martellus Bennett to a four-year contract
• signed OT Jermon Bushrod to a five-year contract

Detroit Lions

• re-signed LB DeAndre Levy to a three-year contract
• re-signed WR Kassim Osgood to a one-year contract
• re-signed FS Amari Spievey to a one-year contract
• re-signed CB Chris Houston
• signed DT Jason Jones
• signed RB Reggie Bush to a four-year contract

Minnesota Vikings

• re-signed WR Jerome Simpson to one-year contract
• re-signed RT Phil Loadholt to a multi-year contract
•  re-signed C/G Joe Berger to a one-year contract
• re-signed S Jamarca Sanford
• re-signed FB Jerome Felton to a three-year, $7.5 million contract
• re-signed LB Erin Henderson to a two-year contract

While the Vikings traded away Percy Harvin and the Lions lost Cliff Avril – both to the Seattle Seahawks, all three of these teams seem to be working the game the way they feel is best for their teams. And when you throw in the Bears, well they got their targeted offensive lineman and a new face at tight end.

So, when do the Packers join the party?

That’s up to Ted Thompson … let’s hope he doesn’t let the chance slip away. This free agency period could be his legacy. Let’s hope we remember his legend in a bright light.

Dec. 16, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA: Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Lions 38-10. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

When it comes to quarterback play, the Green Bay Packers are fortunate. Not only have the Packers transitioned from one Hall of Fame quarterback to another, but they also possess the top passer in a division stocked with talented arms. The NFC North is one of only two divisions where every starting quarterback has led their team to the playoffs. In the modern NFL where passing and the ability to defend the pass are the strongest indicators of wins and losses, it’s important for Green Bay to keep tabs on the quarterbacks it sees most often.

With that in mind, let’s profile the resume and project the future for one of the NFC North’s other quarterbacks.

So without further adieu, the final NFC North quarterback under the microscope is…

Dec 30, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) drops back to pass against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Ford Field. Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Name: Matthew Stafford

Team: Detroit Lions

Age: 25

Experience: 45 games, 44 starts

Resume: Matthew Stafford is the NFC North’s most intriguing case study. Stafford’s first two seasons were defined by injury, but both included extremely promising moments.

In his first complete season as a starter, Stafford exploded for a jawdropping 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns. Yet Stafford’s more impressive statistic was 6.2 – the percentage of his passes that went for touchdowns. For context, the only passers that year who exceeded that figure were Tom Brady (6.4 percent), Drew Brees (7 percent), and Aaron Rodgers (9 percent).

Stafford’s touchdown percentage would have been top five in any of his four seasons in the NFL. Helping matters further, Stafford threw 2.56 touchdowns for every interception that year. It seemed as though his incredible physical gifts were finally coalescing with his mental preparation and that Stafford would soon be entering the pantheon of the NFL’s top quarterbacks.

And then came the 2012 season.

While Stafford narrowly missed another 5,000-yard season, virtually all of his other metrics regressed considerably. Stafford’s touchdown total was more than halved while his interceptions went up. He passed for his worst completion percentage since his rookie year, and averaged a Christian Ponder-like 6.8 yards per attempt.

Yet the most damning metric was Stafford’s touchdown percentage. It dropped from 2011’s impressive 6.2 percent to a paltry 2.8 percent, bad enough to finish bottom five in the league. The only players with worse figures were rookies and Matt Cassel. This comes at a time when the Detroit Lions are looking to extend Stafford’s rookie deal. How the Lions grade Stafford at this point in his career is anyone’s guess.

Dec 22, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) congratulates wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field. Falcons won 31-18. Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Projections: Despite his 2012 woes, Matthew Stafford projects very well. If there is one quarterback who can take Rodgers’ title as the best quarterback in the NFC North, unlikely as that may be, it’s Stafford.

He possesses the strongest arm in the division, and with Calvin Johnson just entering his prime, there is no reason to expect Stafford won’t be able to return to his high volume, high efficiency form. Detroit has no plans to bring in any competition, and probably couldn’t do so if they wanted to with their cap situation.

With the Minnesota Vikings in a war of words with Percy Harvin and the Chicago Bears entering the first year with a new head coach, there are games up for grabs. Frankly, even the Packers could take a step back this season with their losses on offense.

Stafford should perform much closer to his 2011 form, and if he does so the Lions are a real threat to challenge for a playoff spot and perhaps the division.

Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Lombardi Ave. He has previously written for Hail to the Orange, College Hoops Net, Mocking the Draft, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is currently a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JBHirschhorn.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers, who has no reason for worries these days, watches the game between the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center. Clippers won 117-101. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Ted Thompson and the Green Bay Packers have made several moves this morning to solidify the team’s position and finalize the cap space available to the team as the free agency period commences this afternoon.

Ted Thompson
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

By tendering a low level offer to center Evan Dietrich-Smith and and a second tier offer to Sam Shields, the Packers have committed about $3.3 million toward restricted free agents. The Packers didn’t extend tenders to tight end Tom Crabtree, Robert Francois or Frank Zombo, throwing those players to the market. However, reports indicated the Packers were trying to work out a deal to retain Francois.

Factoring in Johnny Jolly’s reduced salary of just more than $700,000, the Packers were set to enter the free agency period about $18 million under the salary cap, the most of any team in the NFC North. But the Packers are the only team that didn’t factor into the free agency game. Rather, it appears the Packers are poised to commit to long-term contracts for Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews with the bulk of the funds remaining.

Percy Harvin
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Elsewhere in the division, the Bears, who are said to be aggressively working the available free agent offensive linemen, have about $7 million to $10 million available in cap space; Detroit, which has been working the Reggie Bush lines all weekend, have $6 million available; and Minnesota, which pulled off the Percy Harvin trade yesterday and are poised in an attempt to either land receivers via free agency or the draft, have about $15 million available.

With less than two hours before the bell for the start of free agency rings, it looks as though it will be a quiet one for the Packers, while the Bears land at least one offensive lineman, the Lions try to shore up their running game, and the Vikings make a run at either Mike Wallace or Greg Jennings.

But let me throw this out there: Talk has been that the Packers haven’t given up on Jennings yet and that negotiations continue with his agent … suppose, just for the fun of it, that the Packers find a way to free up more money (releasing A.J. Hawk or restructuring his deal?), and get the go-ahead from both Rodgers and Matthews to waylay their extensions for another year so they can re-sign Jennings …

Greg Jennings
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

I know, you think I’m crazy. I think I’m crazy. But hey! This is the National Football League where just about any kind of crazy thing can occur.

Just some food for thought as we sit waiting for something to happen.

Stay tuned …

Packers fans will continue to concentrate on the things that really matter …

As if there’s nothing else to report about these days – like the fact that the Bears need to revamp its entire offensive line, replace a bunch of old defensive players and find a tight end who can hang onto the ball, the Chicago Bears official website today posted a reminiscent story about the 61-7 thrashing that the Bears and Walter Payton put on the Packers in 1980.

I know, us Packers fans like to bring up the 1989 “Instant Replay” game and Chester Marcol’s miracle touchdown off a blocked field goal (the first meeting between the two teams in 1980), and we also like to rub in the fact that the Packers have handed it to Chicago the past two decades, but that’s beside the point.
It’s the offseason, it’s an exciting time of year what with free agency and the draft on the horizon. There’s plenty to talk about, plenty to write about …

So, we’ll agree to call a truce – at least until the preseason starts … but I doubt anyone over at chicagobears.com is listening … so to heck with it.

What do you say Packers fans … do we discard the gloves and have at it? After all, that Chicago Bears Fan Facebook page took on our cheerleaders last month …

Ok, we’re better than that. We’ll stick to writing about the things that really matter – like how the Packers will clean up in the draft with the players they need to keep putting the hurt on the Bears in the future.

We’ll let chicagobears.com write about the past.

March 16, 2012; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery (center) poses for a photo after a press conference introducing wide receiver Brandon Marshall (left) and quarterback Jason Campbell at Halas Hall . Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

In the week following the firing of head coach Lovie Smith, many jokes and laughs have come at the expense of the Chicago Bears and their coaching search.

During that time, Bears General Manager Phil Emery has interviewed at least 10 (and probably more) candidates ranging from special teams coordinators to Canadian Football League coaches while avoiding most of the popular names such as Chip Kelly and John Gruden. It seems like there will be many more interviews before the Emery even approaches any candidate for a second sit down.

Laugh now, but regret it later. This is exactly what a smart organization does.

Unless a team is trying to nail down a big fish – an approach that isn’t fail-safe by any means – there is no incentive to rush a decision. Nor is there any good reason not to interview as many viable candidates as possible. It wasn’t that long ago that the Green Bay Packers were chastised for doing exactly what the Bears are doing now.

Jan 5, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy on the sidelines in the third quarter of the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Following the 2005 season, Packers general manager Ted Thompson embarked on a coaching search which involved holdover defensive coordinator Jim Bates, Maurice Carthon, Brad Childress, Ron Rivera, Wade Phillips, Sean Payton, and an out of left field candidate, Mike McCarthy.

Everyone knows who ended up with the job, and while nearly all those names have been head coaches at some point, all but perhaps Payton have failed to accomplish as much as McCarthy. McCarthy leads all the candidates the Packers considered in wins and winning percentage in the regular season and the playoffs. He, along with Payton, are the only head coaches in the group to win a Super Bowl. McCarthy has a shot at a second ring this year.

Now back to the Bears. By expanding their search outside of the expected candidates, they’ve given themselves a greater view of what is really available on the coaching market. Consequently, they may come to prefer a candidate that few fans even knew about just weeks earlier. These surprise hires may not rally a fan base, but winning with the right coach does, and it definitely outshines the afterglow of a popular but ultimately ill-advised hire.

The Bears have looked primarily at offensive coordinators, which makes sense given their woes on that side of the ball in recent years. In addition to looking at an array of candidates, Emery has been smart to also consider coaches from teams that don’t have great records. Joe DeCamillis of the Dallas Cowboys (8-8), Mike Sullivan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9), and Pete Carmichael Jr. of the New Orleans Saints (7-9) have all interviewed with the Bears this past week.

This provides another parallel to McCarthy’s hiring. McCarthy had just completed his first season as the offensive coordinator of the 4-12 San Francisco 49ers when he interviewed with Green Bay. That hire clearly worked out, and proves to show how team success is not always emblematic of the quality of assistant coaches.

We won’t know who the Bears hire for several days, and we certainly won’t know how that hire works out for several years, but all indications suggest this will be a smart hire.

A hire that should make Packers fans worry, not laugh.

Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Lombardi Ave. He has previously written for Hail to the Orange, College Hoops Net, Mocking the Draft, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is currently a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JBHirschhorn. Also Like Lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow Lombardiave on Twitter.

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Tom Clements and Brett Favre.

With the recent news that the Chicago Bears are interested in interviewing Green Bay Packers‘ offensive coordinator Tom Clements, Mike Burzawa over at beargoggleson.com, the fansided.com Bears fan site, picked my brain about what Clements might bring to the Bears’ franchise.

Of course, I was more than happy to answer his questions, with the caveat that I would hate to see Clements leave the Packers organization, especially if he stole away to join the Bears.

That said, I spoke highly of Clements for many reasons – most notably the respect he’s gained from the players under him and the trust that head coach Mike McCarthy has placed in him over the past few years. He not only handled the rogue Brett Favre, but also guided Aaron Rodgers to the ultimate prize during his time as a quarterbacks coach. Clements, as I explained to Burzawa, has also guided a Packers offense that lost its top running back early in the season, two of its top receivers, and offensive linemen while still producing wins for the team. That has been quite an accomplishment.

But without giving too much away, here is how I answered Burzawa’s questions.

A. It’s got to be a combination of the scheme and personnel because Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers are complete opposite players. Favre was rogue and Rodgers is more technique-centered. For Clements to be able to succeed with both of them is pretty phenomenal, when you think about it. I think the major point to consider here is that Clements is pretty smart. Clearly, he knows how to mold his system around the personnel with which he is working. I think that’s his best attribute. Add to that fact he’s been working with McCarthy for so long I think the two of them have developed schemes each year that fit the team concept, not just the individuals. So, to answer your question, I really do think it’s a combination of scheme and personnel.

A. Clements is NOT a rah-rah guy and certainly not fiery. Though McCarthy doesn’t allow his assistants to talk to the media often, from what I’ve heard from Clements in the past was far from fiery. If the type of coach the Bears seek is the fire-breathing motivator, then they should probably veer quickly from his direction. He’s more of a brain, a schemer, and system guy. That’s not to say that he couldn’t be a helluva leader. He’s been in the game a long time at all levels and has an understanding of winning. That would certainly be a positive aspect that would help the Bears franchise tremendously. He’s mature, he’s been around, he understands the Bears’ rivalries intimately and would certainly add a new dimension to the Bears offensive strategies.

A. I feel that Clements is a wealth of knowledge. He certainly has gained the respect of Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre before him, so he must be doing something right. Even though the Packers offense has seen a dip in overall numbers this season, it’s still what I would call prolific. With Clements guiding it for the first year he certainly got the best out of what he had in hand. Consider that the offense was just starting to click when RB Cedric Benson went down with injury. Consider that the offense went without their top two wideouts for much of the season and they were still able to score points and to lean heavily on a second year player (Randall Cobb) for much of their production. With the running game producing more at the end of the season and the return of Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson, the offense has picked up even more heading into the playoffs. Much of that has got to be the work behind the scenes by Clements. Would he help the Bears? Without question. It would be a huge loss for the Packers and a boon for the Bears.

A. Clements would have a field day designing an offense that would utilize not only the running abilities of Forte, but even more importantly, his pass-catching skills. I always felt the Bears didn’t utilize him enough out of the backfield. You get that guy into the open field and he’s going to make a lot of guys miss. And when it comes to him running the rock, he’s always been a huge threat. I can see Clements using him in all sorts of formations that would free him up. I think under a system designed by Clements, Forte would flourish.

A. I’m not sure any coach can mold Jay Cutler, but if he would accept what Clements brought to the table it could be a great match. With the players at the skill positions, especially wide receiver, Clements could make a huge difference in the Bears’ offense. If they can add a tight end who can consistently catch the ball, the Bears would be a huge threat to the Packers’ dominance of the NFC North. Given that the Bears will always play defense, attaining an offensive mind like Clements is what the Bears need. And it would definitely put a scare, not only into every Packers fans, but the entire Packers franchise. My hope is that the Bears pass on Clements, not only because he is such a value to the Packers, but because of what he could do to improve the Bears. If the Bear do land him, it will be a huge pickup. It would surely make the NFC North very competitive.

March 16, 2012; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery speaks at a press conference introducing new signings wide receiver Brandon Marshall (not pictured) and quarterback Jason Campbell (not pictured) at Halas Hall . Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

At the conclusion of the 2009 season, the Chicago Bears fired underperforming offensive coordinator Ron Turner. The Bears were only 19^th in points scored and for the third straight year finished outside the top 10. Making matters worse, Chicago had given up a king’s ransom to the Denver Broncos just a year earlier for Jay Cutler, a disgruntled but talented quarterback.

With this as the backdrop, the Bears formally requested to interview Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach Tom Clements.

That request was ultimately denied by the Packers. League rules permit teams to deny permission to interview their coaches in all cases except when the interview is for a head coaching position. This time around, the Packers won’t be able to keep the Bears away. If Clements is ultimately the guy the Bears think can lead them into a new era of prosperity, he will be theirs.

Clements joined the Packers in 2006 as part of Mike McCarthy’s original coaching staff. Originally only the quarterbacks coach, Clements took over as offensive coordinator when that position became available following Joe Philbin’s departure for the Miami Dolphins last offseason.

Dec 9, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin retunes to the sideline against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Candlestick Park. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Miami Dolphins 27-13. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Should the Bears hire Clements, it would be a significant blow to the Packers. While Mike McCarthy rather than the offensive coordinator calls the plays, the coordinator is nearly as responsible for the weekly offensive gameplan and halftime adjustments. For further proof, compare the offensive production of 2011 (Philbin’s last year) to 2012. While Green Bay still possesses a dynamic offense, Philbin’s loss was huge.

Clements loss could be greater.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has said repeatedly that he owes his greatest debt to Clements for developing him into the player he is today. While it’s unlikely Rodgers would regress if Clements was to leave, it may be difficult to find another coordinator who would command the same respect from Rodgers.

The presumptive “next man up” to fill Clements shoes would be current quarterbacks coach Ben McAdoo. Rodgers openly campaigned for a different coach to take over at quarterbacks coach following Clements’ promotion as he felt a coach who had actually played the position could offer more. Rodgers will most likely accept McAdoo as the offensive coordinator, but there exists the possibility that McAdoo may not always be able to properly communicate with the team’s franchise player. That’s not a knock against Rodgers. It’s rare for a player and coach to have such an open, honest, and trusting relationship as the one he has with Clements.

Oct 28, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy calls in a play in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Byron Hetzler-USA TODAY Sports

The one thing that may prevent Clements from becoming the next head coach of the Bears is age. Coaching in the NFL is a difficult, stressful profession, especially as the head man. Clements will turn 60 prior to the start of next season, making his window as a viable head coach a small one for someone who has never previously held the position. Clements’ most likely competitors for the job are the much younger Mike McCoy (40), Joe DeCamillis (47), and Keith Armstrong (47). While the coaching profession masquarades as a meritocracy, it’s a far more political matter than many care to admit. Age could be the reason the Bears turn elsewhere.

Whether Clements is hired by the Bears or not, this is yet another sign that McCarthy’s coaching staff will see much upheaval in the coming seasons. No team can have as much success as the Packers without losing their top assistants. Whether it’s Clements, McAdoo, or well-regarded defensive coaches Joe Whitt, Darren Perry, Kevin Greene, and Winston Moss, there will be familiar faces moving on to bigger positions over the next few years.

Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Lombardi Ave. He has previously written for Hail to the Orange, College Hoops Net, Mocking the Draft, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is currently a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter: @JBHirschhorn

There are a few scenarios that could transpire that would be to the Packers benefit. Either way they are in the playoff tournament with the potential to bring the Lombardi trophy home where it belongs – in Green Bay!

If the season were to end today the Packers would be a number 3 seed. Their opponent would be a rematch of their week 17 matchup, the Vikings, who would bring up the rear with the 6^th seed playoff spot.  With that said, the Giants, Bears, and Cowboys all have hope to edge out the Vikings for the number six spot.

The game Packers fans have the most interest in this week is the match-up that pits the San Francisco 49ers against the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks could pay the Packers a well-deserved favor with a victory over the 49ers in Seattle. Doing so would ensure the Packers, provided they win their next two games, the 2^nd seed in the NFC Playoffs.  This would grant the Packers a first round playoff bye and a game on the “Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field (insert Chris Berman voice).” Possibly home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

If the 49ers, who many of the experts believe are the best team in football, defeat the Seahawks and their week 17 opponent, the lowly Arizona Cardinals they would claim the number 2 seed. In this instance the Packers would play the Vikings, Bears, Cowboys, or Giants. Looking at the schedules of these four teams and each of their two remaining opponents it seems the Bears would be the Packers’ most likely first round foe. Over the next 2 weeks the Bears play the Cardinals and the Lions at home. As the Cowboys have the Saints and the ‘Skins, the Viking have the Texans and the Packers, and the Giants play the Eagles and the Ravens.

A first round playoff match-up with the Bears is intriguing. After all, the only thing better than defeating the Bears and Jay Cutler twice in a season would be to beat them 3 times. An entertaining game for sure, however, it could be one that makes Packers fans a bit weary. Odds are the Bears will beat the Packers sooner or later and the playoffs would be a miserable time for logic to win out. But we in Packer Nation are optimists, and confident that the Packers would swiftly lead the Bears to the playoff exit.

On the other hand if the Seahawks or the Cardinals happen to defeat the 49ers over the next two weeks the Packers would be matched up with the winner of the first round wild card playoff game. In this scenario the most likely challenger would be the Redskins or the Seahawks.  But the Cowboys could be in the mix here as well. Best bet would be the Seahawks with their ferocious defense.

Nevertheless, January 2013 will prove to be an exciting time in Packers Land. With the Giants seemingly left for dead the largest obstacle in the way of the Green and Gold looks to be the 49ers. The Falcons, although they put the hurt on the defending Super Bowl Champs, don’t appear to have what it takes to win in the playoffs.

For the NFC, the road to the Super Bowl goes through Green Bay … with maybe a stop in San Francisco.

Dec 16, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) breaks up a pass to Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) during the second half at Soldier Field. The Packers beat the Bears 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

With the Green Bay Packers winning their second straight National Football Conference North Division title yesterday with a win over longtime rival Chicago Bears, this is a rather bright and cheery Monday morning for Packers Nation.

Any Monday morning after a Packers win is memorable, especially when I get to cash in my McDonald’s ticket for a free McMuffin.

But seriously, we wanted to know what others were saying after the Packers pulled out another big win in the Windy City and are one game short of once more sweeping their NFC North opponents.

So, without more rambling from me, here are some links that might interest you this morning:

The 10*-4 Green Bay Packers defeated the 8-6 Chicago Bears 21-13 to become your 2012 NFC North Division Champions today in Chicago.

The Packers played their usual bend-but-don’t-break defense and had enough good plays on offense to win the game. In the grand scheme of things I guess it doesn’t matter how the Packers win, but I’m still waiting for another beat-down of a good team like in the Texans game so long ago.

Early in the game it looked as if the Packers would end up on the short end of this one. They came alive in the second quarter and the defense saved them from several would-be fatal mistakes. They can’t count on that to happen again. Elimination of the mistakes has to be their emphasis over the next two weeks and in the playoffs.

Chest Bumps and Thumps from this one:

Dec 16, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) is congratulated by free safety M.D. Jennings (43) for breaking up a pass to Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) during the second half at Soldier Field. The Packers beat the Bears 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Chest Bump - to Sam Shields. His coverage was solid. He managed to get the better of Alshon Jeffery on most of the calls. He came up big in another Bears game. Nice work 37!

Thump - to the play call on the Cobb special teams gadget play. Whoever made that decision needs to be psychologically evaluated. If there has ever been a good time to make that call, and I’m not convinced there ever has, it certainly was not when it was called in this game. Credit the Packers defense for holding the Bears to only 3 points after that horrible call!

Chest Bump - to Clay Matthews. Five tackles and two assists. Two sacks. Several hurries. One knocked down pass. And one entirely forgettable sack dance. Nice to have you back 52. Seriously Clay…the sack dance initially had everybody laughing pretty hard at Tailgators, but when the reality of what you did set in I think several of us threw up in our mouths a little.

Fatal Thump - to Mason Crosby. I’m sorry. I’m a Crosby supporter. I thought he could work his way out of the slump, and indeed I thought he had done so. But sloppy surface at Soldier Field or no, I think Crosby’s performance in this game was the last straw.

Chest Bump - to the Packers run defense. Holding the Bears to 83 yards net rushing (and 190 total yards!) will get you a chest bump every time.

Thump - for the first half start. Seriously guys – what’s with the slow starts the last several weeks? Why make things harder on yourselves than they already are? Please come out and assert yourselves just for practice soon because that crappy start stuff won’t fly in the playoffs.

Chest Bump - to James Jones. Great job by 89 with the hat trick. Three TD catches, each one better than the last. Jones had a drop early in the game but his overall performance (5 catches for 60 yards and 3 TDs) was the difference-maker in this one.

Thump - for the penalties. The Packers were once again penalized more than their opponents in this game. OK … so take away the 53 yard DPI call on Burnett and their yardage comes out far less than Chicago’s total, but both teams were making big mistakes in pass D. The Packers have got to stop making mistakes before the snap. False starts and delays of game are completely avoidable and preventable errors. Fix them!

Dec 16, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley (88) makes a catch against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field. The Packers beat the Bears 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Chest Bump - to Jermichael Finley. J Mike had his best game this season. 5 catches for 61 yards and a long of 31, which was a thing of beauty consisting of a bunch of YAC. So was Finley motivated by the team’s need for him to produce a performance fitting for a start TE in the biggest game of the year, or was it a certain columnist’s take on his future? Whatever caused it he came up big against the Bears today. Can we count on him to do it again this season? I sure hope so!

Thump - to Ryan Grant. The play during which Ryan Grant caused seismographs all over the world to register Packer Nation’s collective groan started out nicely. EDS was in the backfield to block on the right side and Grant had a nice opening to scamper through. He took advantage of it and started to go back toward the left, but Peanut Tillman did what Peanut Tillman does – knocking the ball out of Grant’s grasp and causing the groan heard around the planet. The Bears got nothing out of it but Grant has got to keep that from happening.

Chest Bump – to B.J. Raji. B.J. dropped it on Forte for no gain a couple of times in this game. He’s another player who always seems to have his best games against Chicago, and he had one today. Officially credited with only one tackle in the game, Raji disrupted several running plays and was a force rushing up the middle consistently. Nice job 90.

Chest Bump – to Randall Cobb. Randall Cobb broke the Packers all-time single-season combined yardage record in this game. With several clutch grabs and totals of 6 catches for 115 yards and a long of 31 yards, Cobb kept drives, and Rodgers, alive several times. One has to wonder how long he can continue to take shots like the one he took on the punt return in the fourth quarter though. The gadget play pass wasn’t commendable, but I don’t think that was his fault.

Thump – to Brad Jones. Jones had a decent stat line (6 tackles 2 assists) in the game and played stout run defense but his whiff of Marshall allowed Marshall to score his TD. It would have been a better stat line at 7-2 but as it turned out I think Jones’ overall contribution probably overshadowed his glaring missed tackle.

Thump and a Bump - Casey Hayward for first getting stiff armed (easily it seemed) by Marshall on his way to a TD after Jones whiffed on his tackle. Later he finished on his INT opportunity – picking Cutler off and returning 12 yards to the 26 to set up the Packers second TD.

Collective Chest Bump – to the Green Bay Packers 2012 NFC North Division Champions. The football gods have thrown an awful lot of challenges at the Packers this year. They used perseverance, dedication, and overall team character to overcome. Congratulations!  

Here are the marginally insightful and mildly entertaining tweets I broadcasted during the game – last ones listed first. Scroll down to read from the beginning of the game. I think they frame the comments made above. And nobody has told me they don’t want to see them any more either. Review them at your peril:

- Not a pretty one but a W is a W. So Packers own Central Division for 2012. More later on http://LombardiAve.com . Go PACK!

- Nice work by Masthay to bury Bears at their own 2 yard line. One more job for Pack D.

- Shields non-PI, even if it was PI, was payback for horrible helmet to hands call earlier in the game. Karma incarnate.

- Sam Shields clutch defense on 4th down! Nice work 37…thanks from a grateful Packer Nation.

- Jeffery needs a little bit of remedial instruction on how not to get clear of a defender. (His third OPI call against Shields).

Dec 16, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews (52) reacts after the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Green Bay Packers defeat the Chicago Bears 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

- Clay bats one. Just don’t do that dance again 52!

- Dammut…3rd and 3 and they go long downfield pass? Let’s just give the game to the Bears and stop screwing around.

- Bears D starting to look a little tired. Run it down their throats.

- Harris looking strong again on the run. Where has he been?

- So what Troy…it WAS a penalty. Shut your pie hole. They call that every week in the wonderful new NFL. Adapt or die. (Troy Aikman didn’t like the roughing call on Peppers. I didn’t like it either, but get used to it).

- Another nice stop by defense to hold Bears to 3 again. No more freaking gadget plays! Just run the ball!

- Jeffery had Shields in his grasp the entire time the ball was in the air. Nice non-call refs! (near pick by Shields against Jeffery).

- Worst. Call. Of. The. Year! (the pass on the punt return…duh!).

- Who called that horrible gadget play on the punt return? Can we blame that on Crosby too?

- OK…so what are we calling Claymaker’s new sack dance? (Clay sacks Cutler on 2^nd and 17 and “dances”).

- Raji playing with some fire today. He’s having a good game against the Bears.

- That’s a fork sticking out of Crosby. Pack can’t possibly look upon his performance today as anything other than the last straw.

- Rodgers runs…hearts leap into throats. Didn’t pick up the first either. And then Crosby doinks. He’s done.

- Nice catch by 85 to pick up most of holding call penalty. (picks up 14 yards out of the 20 needed for a first).

- Finley with another clutch catch and YAC. He’s having his best game in months. Thanks again McGinn!

- That was a nice play to Jones for the first though. I can’t stay mad at Aaron for long!

Dec 16, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) drops back to pass against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

- Rodgers needs to either throw the ball or take off…plays taking way too long to develop.

- 21-10 going into the 4th quarter. Pack O can put it away with a time-consuming drive here.

- Great clutch stand by Packers D to hold Bears to 3. Now Pack O needs a nice LONG drive.

- OPI FINALLY called on a receiver against Sam Shields! Sweet redemption! (Jeffery with OPI again).

- Great line. RT @Zathras3: Shields gets the true “illegal face to the hands” penalty.

- DPI on Burnett but pass wouldn’t have been caught if he hadn’t done it. Dammut!

- You tell him Sam! Refs with another crappy call. Nice! (the uncalled facemask but called DPI was glaring bad).

- That groan from Packer Nation registered on Richter scales around the planet. Grant with the fumble. OK D…get it back. (Grant’s run looked great until he lost the football).

- Rodgers with the avoidance and a nice throw to Cobb but he’s GOT to get rid of the ball faster than that!

- Rodgers wants that one back! Way too close to a pick. (two Bears players had hands on a deflected pass but no INT).

- Thank you Randall Cobb for holding on to that punt while you nearly had your block knocked off!

- Neal assist by Moses with the sack and Cutler with the woozy walk back to the sidelines. (Culter slow to get up and slower to walk back to the bench).

- Uecker calls it “juuuust a bit overthrown” by Cutler on 2nd and 11. (Cutler’s second worst throw of the day. The first was Hayward’s pick)

- Wait…was all that ugly substitution confusion on purpose? To throw the Bears off? Is MM that crafty? Either way I liked the result.

- Rodgers with another TD dime to Jones. Three TDs for each and Pack up 21-7. Come on D…put this one away!

- Wow how do they look this confused and poiseless? (Substitutions looked absolutely nutty).

- DPI in the end zone. We’ll take it! (DPI against Finley)

Dec 16, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) is tackled by Chicago Bears Joe Anderson (19) during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

- Nice play on fourth down by Cobb but never should have had to go there. (the fourth and six catch).

- Mike…this might be news to you, but Kuhn diving on 3rd and 6 is guaranteed not to get the first down!

- Is anybody else tired of watching Newhouse getting beat and Rodgers running for his life because of it?

- That was ugly but a first is a first is a first as they say.

- Finley actually having a decent day today. Thanks McGinn!

- DuJuan Harris! Nice first play of the second half baller! (Harris carries for 21 on the first play of the second half).

- Jones with his second TD pass from Rodgers. 14-7 at the half and Packers get ball first in second half. Fired up Packers fans? We are here!

- If Cutler wasn’t an intermittently decent QB there’d be a contract out on him in Chicago just for his surly prima donna personality. (Cameras show Cutler’s histrionics on the sideline. Not much of a team guy).

- Hayward picks Cutler off…Cutler shakes his head. Cutler threw it right to Hayward. Beautiful!

- Nice 3 and out by Pack D. We need another TD and then one on the first possession of the second half. How about it Pack O?

- That’s the way to bring it back! Nice job by Rodgers to Jones for the TD. Perfect pass!

- AWESOME play by Rodgers to get that ball downfield and by Cobb to grab it.

- Nice job by Jennings fighting for YAC. (Jennings catch on the sidelines and YACs for an additional 10 yards).

- Love the “Hello” commercial. Hate being behind the Bears. Especially hate being behind the Bears in NFC North Title game. Come on Packers! (The commercial with the high school RB who flips over the defender is entertaining).

- And the bad tackling comes into it too. Marshall scores. Pack fans seething. (Jones whiff, Hayward stiff armed…Marshall scores).

- Don’t they teach these guys to disengage from blocks at the line? Why was Walden shoving that lineman around? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? (Walden called for facemask while he’s engaged for several seconds with the OL. The phonetic alphabet can be  fun and useful.)

- Forte delivered the blow to Jennings on that run. Gotta respect it. (Forte got loose and drove his shoulder through Jennings to close the play).

- Crosby misses. So much for the high scoring predictions. (FG attempt wasn’t even close).

Dec 16, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers nose tackle B.J. Raji (90) warms up before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

- Cobb drops one? Really? Is anything going to work in this freaking game?

- I swear if they throw the ball on 4th and 1 ever again I’ll sell my stock n move to Lithuania or something. Yes it worked. No I didn’t like it. (Pass on 4^th down works but WTF on the call? Why not RUN the ball or try to draw them offsides? And even in Lithuania I would probably still be a Packers fan.)

- 3rd and 1…and the Packers kill their own drive again with 14 guys on the field.

- Nice pass to Cobb for 30!

- Welcome back Claymaker…even if you had some help on that sack!

- Sack saves the day and stops the Bears. Bush kills field position with a needless hold. Nice.

- End of 1st qtr no score but Bears moving and Packers reeling. Pack D needs to tighten and Pack O needs to run the ball.

- Another sack of Rodgers. He’s holding too long and not moving out of the pocket when he should. His frustration is showing too.

- So far…yet another ugly one. When will the Packers play another dominant game?

- Raji drops it on Forte…nice stop.

- Thank you Tim Masthay…you’re obviously willing to do what it takes to win this one. How about the rest of you Packers? (Masthay makes the tackle on the punt return).

- That possession looked worse than the first one. Packers will not be gifted this game by the Bears. (Packers 3 and out after the penalty)

- Thank you Bears for a free first down. We’ll take those all day too! (Bears have too many men on field for punt giving the Packers the ball back).

- Not a good looking pass by Rodgers. Now it’s up to the punt coverage team.

Dec 16, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Alex Green (20) rushes the ball against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field. The Green Bay Packers defeat the Chicago Bears 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

- We’ll take 6 yards on every run all day long! (Green carries up the middle).

- Nice moves by Rodgers to get the first 1st down.

- C’mon Don…no room for that FS stuff down here (false start on Barclay deep in Packers territory).

- Nice to have you back Sam Shields! (knocks ball away from Jeffery on third down- the first of many times).

- Pack D looks like last week’s Pack D. Like they’ll be down 14-0 in no time.

- Run D better be better than that or this will be a long game!

- Crosby delivers…no way for Hester to hurt the Packers if he can’t return the KOs.

Want to see these every week? Let me know.

With regard to the Fearsome Predictions I made prior to the game, I’ll need yet another mulligan. I went O-for. As in not a single one was correct. Goose egg. Most weren’t close. I’ll throw myself on the mercy of the Packer Nation court this week. But I’m going to keep making them. Somebody stop me!

The Green Bay Packers are your NFC North Division Champions for 2012. They got it done. They’re in the playoffs. Next up are the Titans at Lambeau. After that they visit the Vikings to see if they can keep Adrian Peterson from setting a new single season rushing mark. Both games will be important – especially if the Patriots beat the 49ers Sunday night. That’s a better problem to have than trying to get into the playoffs though!

Bring on the Titans! Go Pack GO!

The Green Bay Packers, with three touchdown catches by James Jones and a smothering defense, defeated the Chicago Bears 21-13 today to win their second straight NFC North Division title and continue to move toward a possible second seed in the playoffs.

Brandon Marshallbreaks a tackle by Green Bay Packers cornerback Casey Hayward (29) and inside linebacker Brad Jones (59) during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Rodgers was efficient today, making huge plays with his feet and bis arm along the way. He was 26 of 36 for 291 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, while his counterpart, Jay Cutler, was a shadow of himself, completing 12 of 21 for 135 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception. The Packers defense held the Bears to a total of 218 yards of offense on the day, smothering the trash-talkin’ Brandon Marshall, who collected 6 receptions for 56 yards. Matt Forte out-gained Marshall in passing yardage, catching five passes for 64 yards

Joe Buck and Troy Aikman were on the call for FOX Sports today and here’s a couple of things they said at the top of the program: 

Aikman: “The Bears have a formula – taking the ball away. They need to run the football … could run it 40 times. Jay Cutler has to play better today.”

Here’s what Buck said: “It’s up to reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers.”

Rodgers was just good enough … he missed some passes that could have been big plays, but he made some nice throws, especially to Jones for his three touchdowns.

The Packers also had a decent day running the ball by committee. Green ran for 35 yards on 13 attempts, Grant ran 8 times for 32 yards, DuJuan Harris ran five times for 27 yards, Rodgers was 4 for 14 and John Kuhn ran twice for five yards – a team total of 113 yards.

With so much on the line, it’s appropriate that it’s these two storied franchises were banging heads today. Beats the heck out of watching the Rams and Vikings, eh?

The quiet time recognizing those who died at the elementary school in Connecticut is moving, though very short – so it seems. You can hear a pin drop. Tears are shed, Aaron Rodgers looks pumped.

First half action

Packers kick off  - Crosby kicks it to the back of the end zone

Dec 16, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews (52) reacts after the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Green Bay Packers defeat the Chicago Bears 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Bears first possession: 28th ranked offense; Bears go to the run right away.

Second play of the possession draw play for first down

Four straight runs by Forte – gets 2 first downs

Armando Allen gets three on sixth play of drive

on second and 7 from Packers 49; Cutler under pressure completes 10 yards to Brandon Marshall for first down

First and 10 from the 40, Forte picks up 9 off right side

Second and 1, Forte stopped for no gain as Packers defense penetrates

Third and 1, ball at the 30, false start on Bears

Third and 6, Cutler in the gun. Sam Shields knocks the ball away from Alshon Jeffery

Bears punt, Bears down it at the 2

Dec 16, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) warms up before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Packers first possession

First and 10 from the 2, false start on Don Barclay – ball moved back to the 1

First and 11, Quick pass to James Jones out to the 7,

Second and 6, handoff to Kuhn for 3

Third and 2, ball at 11, Rodgers bootleg right, can’t find anyone open and runs for 6 and a first down

First and 10, ball at 17, Rodgers under center, handoff to Alex Green, spins, runs hard and picks up six

Second and four, Packers in hurry up, quick pass to Randall Cobb, behind him, tips in the air but falls incomplete

Third and 4, Rodgers in gun, pass to the sideline low and incomplete to Jennings

Masthay punt to Devin Hester – However huge penalty on Bears – 12 men on the field gives Packers first down at the Packers 28

First and 10, Rodgers pressured, tries to run, but is sacked for 4-yard loss

Second and 14, pass incomplete to Finley

Third and 14, Rodgers in the gun, Rodgers under pressure from Lance Briggs throws it away

Fourth and 14 punt to Hester – Hester with nice return of 24 yards

Bears second possession

First and 10 from the Bears 48, run no gain

Second and 10, loss of 4 with stop by BJ Raji

Third and 14, Cutler runs, but short of first down

Fourth down punt – fair catch by Randall Cobb at the 14

Alex Green
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Packers third possession

First and 10 from the Packers 14, Alex Green for 7

Second and 3, Green runs hard to the left for 5 and a first down

Packers is hurry up, first and 10, ball at 28, Delayed handoff to Green for 3

Second and 7, Quick pass to Green loses 1 yard

Third and 7, Rodgers in the gun, Rodgers steps up and sacked for the second time

Fourth down punt, to Hester, ball rolls out of bounds at the Bears 33

Bears third possession

First and 10 from the Bears, long pass attempt down right sideline to Forte incomplete

Second and 10, handoff to Forte for 7, but holding on Bears

Second and 20, ball at the 19, Cutler throws screen to Allen for 16

End of the first quarter

Packers

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/gameflash/2012/12/16/5102/index.html#ixzz2FF218WXL

Bears

Clay Matthews
Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Third and 4, Ball at Bears 34, Cutler sacked by Clay Matthews

Punt to Cobb, seven yard return, but holding on Packers

Packers fourth possession

First down and 10 from the Packers, 30-yard laser to Randall Cobb over the middle

First and 10, handoff to Green who changes direction back to the right for 2

Second and 8, pass to Finley for seven

Third and 1, Rodgers hurry up and Packers called for 12 men on the field

Fourth and 2, Packers go for it, Rodgers in gun, pass over the middle to Finley for first down

First and 10, ball at Bears 29, handoff to Green off right tackle picks up 4

Second and 6, swing pass toward Green is batted down

Third and 6, pass to Cobb wide open off his fingertips incomplete – This would have been a touchdown had Rodgers not led Cobb by a few inches

Crosby FG attempt NO GOOD – and it wasn’t even no good … it missed very badly to the right – may have been tipped.

Brandon Marshall
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Bears possession

First and 10, forte no gain

Second and 10 to Marshall over the middle for first down

First and 10, Forte for 3

Second and 7, ball at Bears 46, Forte rips off  22 yard run and Packers called for personal foul

First and 10 at Packers 17, handoff to Allen for 2

Second and 8, Bears have 14 runs and 8 passes – Pass to Brandon Marshall who breaks tackle and runs into the end zone for a touchdown

Drive: 6 plays, 67 yards in 3:19

Bears 7 Packers 0

Packers possession

Bears kickoff to Packers – Randall Cobb returns it 10 yards and can’t evade Bears tackler

First and 10 from the 10, pass to outside to Greg Jennings for 18

First and 10 from the 30, Rodgers under center hands off to Ryan Grant off left tackle for 2

Second and 8, Grant again for 3

Third and 5, Rodgers under pressure rushes right and throws a strike to Cobb for first down 31 yard gain

First and 10, Grant for no gain

Second and 10, ball at Bears 35, pass to Finley for 6

James Jones (
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Third and 4 from Packers 31, Pass down right sideline to James Jones for 29-yard touchdown – his 10th touchdown of the year

4:19 Drive: 7 plays, 89 yards in 3:44

Packers 7 Bears 7

Bears possession

Packers kickoff to Bears – Hester with 30 yard return

First and 10 from the Bears 31, Cutler under center, hands off to Forte, hit by Matthews, but Forte gets back to line of scrimmage

Second and 10 Cutler under center, handoff to Forte, hit in backfield again by Matthews for loss of 2

Third and 12, quick screen to Marshall who is hit immediately by Erik Walden, Marshall fumbles, but Bears recover

Bears punt to Cobb who calls for fair catch at Packers 26

Packers possession

First and 10 from the 26, Rodgers in gun, fake handoff to Green, then Rodgers rolls right and passes to Green for 6

Two-minute warning

Second and 4,Rodgers rolls right and throws it away

Third and 4, Rodgers in the gun, Peppers sacks Rodgers

Bears timeout

Fourth down punt by Masthay, Hester dives to make the catch

Bears possession

First and 10 from the Bears 38, Casey Hayward interception and returns it to the 26

Packers possession

First and 10 at the 26, Rodgers in the gun, Quick pass to the right side to Cobb for 3

Second and 7, Rodgers passes toward Green incomplete

Third and 7, pass over the middle to Cobb for 13 yards and a first down to the 10

First and goal, Green for 3

Packers timeout – first

James Jones corrals the ball for his second touchdown of the day. Raymond T. Rivard photograph courtesy of FOX Sports

Second and goal, ball at the Bears 7, Rodgers in the gun, passes over the middle to James Jones touchdown for the touchdown – Rodgers’ 31st TD on the season, second TD on the day for Jones (11 on the year)

Drive: 5 plays, 26 yards in 0:57

Packers 14 Bears 7

Packers kickoff to Bears – touchback

Bears possession: 28 seconds left, Cutler in the gun, pass over the middle to Forte

Bears let the clock run out

Halftime

Packers 14 Bears 7

First half statistics courtesy of si.com

Packers

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/gameflash/2012/12/16/5102/index.html#ixzz2FFEDaNHQ

First and 10 from the Bears’ 41, handoff to Harris for 2

Second and 8, ball at Bears 39, Rodger pitches over the middle to Jennings for 11 and a first down

Packers in hurry up, first and 10, handoff to Harris for 4,

Second and 6, overthrows Jones while scrambling to the right side toward Jones

Third and 6, handoff to Kuhn for 1

Randall Cobb
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Fourth and 5, Packers go for it – Crosby frustrated on sideline, Rodgers in Gun, completes it over the middle to Cobb for 15

First and 10 at the Bears 14, handoff to Green who loses 2,

Second and 12, quick pass to Jones and the ball goes right through his hands – he had the block from Jennings that could have been a big play

Packers timeout – first

Third and 12, pass to Finley incomplete, but the Bears called for pass interference in the end zone. Ball placed at 1 yard line

First and goal, Rodgers in gun, Packers called for delay of game

First and goal, ball at the 6, Grant in backfield. Rodgers drops back and throws a back shoulder throw to Jones for Touchdown – Jones’s third of the day, Rodgers’ 32nd of the season

Huge Packers drive of 8:08

Drive: 13 plays, 79 yards in 6:52

Having the Packers hold the ball for nearly half of the third quarter is huge

Packers 21 Bears 7

Bears first possession of second half

Packers kick off to Hester who returns it 22 yards

First and 10, Forte for 4

Second and 6, pass to Forte for 10 and a first down

First and 10, ball at 40, handoff to Forte blown up by Ryan Pickett – loss of 1

Second and 11, Cutler throws long over the middle incomplete

Third and 11, ball at Bears 40, Cutler in gun, Cutler sacked by Mike Neal

Fourth down punt by the Bears, Cobb catches and hit immediately

Packers second possession

First and 10, Green for no gain

Second and 10, Rodgers in the gun, pass to Jennings tipped and falls incomplete – Whew

James Jones  Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

 

PLAY OF THE GAME - Third and 10, Rodgers scrambles in the pocket, evades Julius Peppers and then hits Cobb over the middle for 20

Rodgers calls second timeout

First and 10, Harris for 1

Second and 9, ball at the Packers 49, Rodgers under center, hands off to Ryan Grant who picks up first down, but fumbles

Bears possession

First and 10, long pass to Jeffery falls incomplete – Shields called for holding

First and 10, long pass to Jeffery goes incomplete, but Morgan Burnett called for 53 yard pass interference

Cutler calls Bears first timeout

First and goal, Forte for 3 down to the 2

Second and goal, Forte no gain

Third and goal, Forte no gain

Fourth and goal, Cutler in the gun, throws to Jeffery for the TD, but he’s called for pass interference

Big stop by the Packers 

Field Goal by Olindo Mare, Good

Packers 21 Bears 10

Packers third possession

Bears kickoff to Packers – touchback

First and 10 at the 20, Green for 1

End of the third quarter

Fourth Quarter

Second and 9, Rodgers under center, Rodgers steps up, but is tripped after gain of 2

Third and 8, Rodgers in the gun, Rodgers all day finds Jones over the mildly for 15 and a first down

First and 10 , ball at 33, Green up the middle for 3,

Second and 7, Rodgers under center, hits Finley over the middle, gets hit after the catch and picks up a total of 33

First and 10, ball at Bears 33, Sitton called for holding

First and 20, ball at Bears 43, Rodgers passes off back foot too low to Green

Second and 20, pass over the middle to Jennings for 14

Third and 6, ball at Bears 29, Rodgers in gun, Rodgers scrambles, but is one yard short

Mason Crosby missed two field goal attempts against the Bears. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Crosby hits upright – NO GOOD – second miss of the day

Score stays at Packers 21 Bears 10

Bears possession

First and 10 pass to Jeffery, but he’s called for pass interference

Second and 20,

Third and 17, Cutler sacked by Clay Matthews – second pf the day

Third and 24, pass to Forte well short of first down

Fourth down punt to Cobb, Cobb tries backward pass and the ball is fumbled -THIS HAS GOT TO BE THE MOST STUPID CALL I HAVE EVER SEEN BY THE PACKERS IN MORE THAN 45 YEARS OF WATCHING THE TEAM!!!! Why? Mike McCarthy, Why?

Bears possession

First and 10 at the Packers 14, pass into the end zone nearly intercepted by Shields

Second and 10, pitch to Forte who is hit at the line of scrimmage by Brad Jones

Bears timeout

Third and 9, Cutler passes incomplete to Forte

Defense comes up with a huge defensive stop

Field goal by Mare, GOOD

Packers 21 Bears 13

Packers possession

Julius Peppers
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Bears kickoff to Packers – touchback

First and 10, ball at 20, Rodgers under center, Green for 3

Second and 7, Green for no gain

Third and 7, Rodgers incomplete, but Peppers called for roughing the passer. Peppers injured on the play.

First and 10 from the 36, handoff to Ryan Grant who hangs onto the ball for 5

Second and 5, Grant for 2

Third and 3, Rodgers under center, passes long toward Jennings incomplete

4 minutes remain

Packers fourth down punt, Hester returns 17 to the Bears 32

Bears possession

First down and 10, 3:47 left in the game, Cutler under center, pass to Marshall for 10-after Cutler runs out of the pocket

First and 10, Cutler under pressure throws incomplete

Second and 10, ball at Bears 44, pass knocked down by Clay Matthews

Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Third and 10, 2:58 left, Cutler in gun, long pass Alshon Jeffery, but Jeffery called for pass interference

Third and 20, pass for 11 to Marshall

Fourth and 9, Cutler in gun, passes toward Jeffery knocked down by Shields

Packers take over on downs

First and 10, Grant for 3

Two Minute Warning

Second and 7,

Third and 6, Rodgers under center, hands off to Grant who is one yard short of a first down

Packers called for delay of game 1:02 remains

Fourth and 1, Packers punt to Hester, Masthay punts down to the 2-yard line

Bears final possession

First and 10 from the 2, 56 seconds remain, Cutler passes to Forte for 10

First and 10, Cutler sacked at the 4

Final play, Forte pass over the middle and tackled as the clock runs out

Packers 21 Bears 13

Game’s final stats courtesy of si.com

Packers

Passing	CP/AT	YDS	TD	INT
Rodgers	23/36	291	3	0

Rushing	ATT	YDS	TD	LG
Green	13	35	0	8
Grant	8	32	0	14
Harris	5	27	0	21
Rodgers	4	14	0	6
Kuhn	2	5	0	4

Receiving	REC	YDS	TD	LG
Cobb	6	115	0	31
Finley	5	61	0	31
Jones	5	60	3	29
Jennings	4	50	0	19
Green	2	6	0	7
Rodgers	1	-1	0	-1

Fumbles	FUM	LOST	REC-O
Cobb	1	1	0
Grant	1	1	0

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/gameflash/2012/12/16/5102/index.html#ixzz2FFcqHYaU

Bears

Passing	CP/AT	YDS	TD	INT
Cutler	12/21	135	1	1

Rushing	ATT	YDS	TD	LG
Forte	20	69	0	22
Cutler	1	9	0	9
Allen	2	5	0	3

Receiving	REC	YDS	TD	LG
Marshall	6	56	1	15
Forte	5	64	0	18
Allen	1	15	0	15

Fumbles	FUM	LOST	REC-O
Marshall	1	0	0
Scott	0	0	1

The Packers vs. Bears are always entertaining. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

I had the chance to sit down and take some questions from Boomer over at beargoggleson.com, our Fansided.com sister site that covers the Chicago Bears.

He posted the exchange this morning … shoot on over to Boomer’s site (it’s a great site) or see what we had to say by scrolling below …

Bears Vs Packers II – 5 Questions With Lombardi Avenue

Backs against the wall, division title at stake, head coach’s job likely on the line, last home game of the season oh and the 186th meeting with the Green Bay Packers.  Could we pile anything onto this Week 15 matchup forthe Chicago Bears and their arch rivals from up North?

The Packers have dominated the series of late, having taken 5 straight games and 7 of the last 8 games.  It looks bleak for the Bears, who started the season 7-1 and are now scrapping to keep their hopes of a division title or a playoff appearance alive.

To help us prepare for this epic battle, we’ve enlisted the help of Ray Rivard, editor of our FanSided sister site Lombardi Avenue for our belated weekly 5 Questions.  Here are my questions and Ray’s answers:

1. The Packers actually found a semblance of a running game last week vs the Lions. Is that something the Bears can expect to see?

Mike McCarthy has been trying all season to get a running game going. It started well with the pounding style of Cedric Benson … then he went down to what ended up being a season-ending injury. Next up was Alex Green – a different type of runner than Benson who was trying to run between the tackles. In addition, Green wasn’t completely back from the knee injury he suffered last year and just didn’t seem to have the cutting ability needed in McCarthy’s scheme. Even though that wasn’t working, McCarthy was patient and didn’t give up on Green.

The run game started to turn the corner when James Starks made it back onto the field, but he played two games before hurting his knee. Last week, the Packers played just-activated scat back DuJuan Harris, Green and even got newly-acquired Ryan Grant a shot for one play. So, yeah, McCarthy isn’t going to give up on the run game. Expect to see a 50/50 mix of run and pass Sunday.

2. Who’s the bigger threat in the passing game right now, Randall Cobb or the returning Greg Jennings? Compare and contrast their games.

Right now Cobb is the bigger threat only because he’s been playing consistently and has developed a strong chemistry with Aaron Rodgers. Cobb’s ability to get open over the middle and to make the big plays has been the brightest spot for the Packers this season. Cobb’s ability to line up in the backfield, in the slot and as a wideout makes him a target on just about every down. In contrast, Jennings is a wideout who works the edges of the field and can break a long one on any play. He spreads the defense out and attracts safeties over the top and double teams. That’s why the middle of the field opens so well for Cobb who is many times matched up with linebackers – defenders he can easily outrun.

3. Clay Matthews is expected to suit back up against the Bears. Do you think he makes a big impact in his first game back or might he show some rust after missing the last several weeks?

I think he will make an impact, but I also believe the Packers will ease him back into playing condition. Because Dezman Moses has played so well in Matthews’ stead, he will see time in given packages. Matthews is a player who has had hammy problems in the past and I don’t think the Packers want to push him too much in the early going. It would be a travesty to see him lost for the rest of the season and the Playoffs. He will play, but will be limited in this game.

4. What’s your outlook for the Packers beyond Sunday? Do they have what it takes to go all the way? Can they be that team that gets hot late in the season to go on a deep playoff run?

There are a lot of intangibles that always come together at the end of the season as we’ve seen so often in recent years, it’s the team that gets hot at the end of the year that takes it the distance. I’m not sure the Packers are that team. Yes, they have Aaron Rodgers who can carry a team a long way, but because of the injuries and the number of rookie and second-year players the Packers have been relying on, it might be difficult to make it all the way to the promised land. There are other teams that could develop the mojo needed to go all the way – the Giants, the Niners and maybe even the Seahawks – which would really tick me off, given what happened earlier in the year when the Packers played them.

5. Let me get an outsider’s point of view – If the Bears lose on Sunday, are they finished or do you think they can recover to make the playoffs?

Even if the Bears lose Sunday, they still have a very good shot at making the playoffs because of their schedule. Of course, they would have to win out, which shouldn’t be that difficult given they travel to Arizona and Detroit. They should beat the lowly Cardinals, though the Lions will give them all they’ve got – that is unless they implode as a team. I think the Bears have too much pride to pack it in. However, with that said, if the Bears do implode, I think both Lovie Smith and Cutler will be in grave danger of being forced out … especially Lovie. We all know his mantra over the years has been to beat Green Bay. He hasn’t done that over the past four years or five years and it seems that the clock is running out on his tenure.

Bonus question – what’s your prediction for the game on Sunday, including a final score?

I think this will be the typical bloodbath that occurs when these two teams meet. It will come down to defense, special teams and the kickers. If the Bears stick around into the fourth quarter, the Packers could be in trouble. However, the kickers for both teams are questionable – especially outdoors in Chicago in December. Mason Crosby has been inconsistent and will probably miss at least one FG attempt. The Bears’ new kicker, Olindo Mare, is an unknown. He’s been good kicking in good weather, but how he will do in Chicago remains to be seen. I also expect some sort of trick play called from the Chicago sideline. I’m sure Lovie remembers the Packers’ fake punt back in September. The Packers have to be on their toes for the possibility. With all that said, I think Aaron Rodgers has one or two more extra big plays than does Jay Cutler and the Packers end up winning by nine or 10 points.

Packers 26 Bears 17

Thanks to Ray for helping out with our Q&A.  Please head over to Lombardi Ave to see my answers to his questions.  Contrary to popular belief, that Packers site isn’t done in crayon.  Just be sure to shower before heading back to my site.

The Packers and Bears go head-to-head today for the bazillionth time. We here at Lombardiave.com think it will be a memorable one. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Every game is big in the National Football League, but today’s game between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears rises to a new level. This is for the division title. This is for bragging rights between the two teams with the oldest rivalry in the league. This one could determine so much across the league as far as playoff seedings. It’s HUGE.

So, again this week, we place our necks in the noose and look at how this game might play out.

But before you read about how we think the game might go, take our poll.

Enjoy … and let us know if you agree or disagree with our predictions …

Ray Rivard
Editor, Lombardiave.com

Ray Rivard: Huge is an understated descriptor for this Packers vs. Bears tilt. By 3 p.m. today we will know whether the Packers have clinched their second straight NFC North Division title or whether the Bears have come back to life to get back into the playoff race. Just like every division game, you can throw out the records, you can throw out the trash talk, you can throw out the fact that both teams have suffered debilitating injuries to valuable players. These two teams know one another so well, that it always comes down to a turnover here, a special teams play there, a tipped ball, a trick play – remember the Packers’ fake punt back in September that turned that game? You can bet Lovie Smith remembers – he’s the king of the trick play and the Packers better be on their toes today. It’s not a matter of if it will happen, but when it will happen.

That said, I think this will be close for at least the first three quarters before Aaron Rodgers brings his A-game and makes a couple of more big plays than Jay Cutler. Look at Rodgers’ statistics against the bears the past four years. He’s been lights out, has only lost twice to them and is facing a defense that has slipped the past month, is without two of their best players and is primed for exploitation. I think Rodgers once again has a big day, Mason Crosby hits one more field goal than Olindo Mare and the Packers get out of Chicago once again as NFC North Division champs.

It won’t hurt that the Packers also get their best defensive player, Clay Matthews, back. Couple that with the addition of Sam Shields to the defensive backfield and the Packers are nearly at full strength on that side of the ball. Matthews is just one player, but his return is likely to tip the defensive balance in the favor of the Packers.

Packers 26 Bears 17

Tommy Marquardt
Staff Writer

Tommy Marquardt: Looking at the game objectively, the Packers are playing better and have weathered their worst injuries up until now. The Bears are without two of their better defensive players, a top-notch kicker and Cutler is nursing injuries. My head says go with the Packers.

My gut is telling me to beware, the Packers have won 10 straight against the NFC North dating back to 2010 and no team has run the table within their division two years in a row since the current 4 by 4 division format was implemented in 2002. The Bears always play the Packers tough and are due for a win in the rivalry. Turnovers and weather can keep any game close and if that happens the Bears can probably pull it out at home.

Even with all that said, I’m going with my head and I predict a Packer victory

Packers 24 Bears 21

Bill Walton and his family

Bill Walton: When the Packers play the Bears it’s always special – even when they play in Chicago. Even more so when they play with stakes like these. The Packers can clinch the NFC North with a win. The Bears can disrupt the Packers playoff plans but cannot eliminate them.

Both teams have dinged up players. Green Bay gets Clay Matthews back for this one, albeit in a diminshed role. Any Clay Matthews is better than none, and if nothing else he’ll make Chicago think about how to defend him. Clay Matthews a decoy? Perhaps. But I still think he’ll get to Cutler at least once and make him move around more than he would like on his gimpy knee. Packers DBs will have to finish on INT opportunities. Packers special teams will have to control Hester. The usual subplots are in play. The Packers just have to execute.

Wife and Clay Matthews devotee Deneen thinks the Packers will win 31-14. Christmas-crazed son John says it’ll be 35-24 Packers. I think it’s going to end up 38-17 Packers. But as long as the Pack wins it’ll be a good day!

We’ll be at tailgaters in Magnolia for the game watch party. Follow me on Twitter at @PackersTX and watch LombardiAve.com for my post-game fan rant. And come on by and help us out-fan the Bears fans!

Patrick Hughes
Staff Writer

Patrick Hughes: Packers versus Bears, the rivalry of all NFL rivalries, one of two games Cheeseheads and those blessed with a three-letter acronym not appropriate for this site have had circled on the schedule all season. And this game in particular is important. The Packers win and they secure their place as NFC North Division champs and a playoff bid. The Bears win and they keep their playoffs hopes alive. High stakes and I expect a punch-you-in the-mouth all-out brawl.

The Bears have been talkin’ smack all week. It started with Brandon Marshall yapping about how he does not like the Packers and whining about being double covered. Then Bears linebacker Lance Briggs called Jermichael Finely an idiot for comments Finley made about Brian Urlacher. Briggs’ remarks may have made some Packer fans think to themselves, well better him saying it than one of Finley’s teammates. Other than Finley’s two cents the Packers have been relatively quiet. You can bet Coach McCarthy had something to do with that.

It seems the Bears understand the gravity of this game; they are desperate and attempting to make the Packers take their eyes off the prize. I sense that following the smack down the Packers were given by the Giants they have a renewed focus and understand the necessity of bringing their “A” game each week, especially this week.

I don’t expect the Packers to roll the Bears like they did in week 2.  This one will be close.  My prediction is Packers 28, Bears 17. Look for the Packers running game to have a nice effort, coming in at around 110 yards. Look for solid contributions from Green, Grant, and Harris, the three-headed monster. I also expect Greg Jennings to be a difference maker. On the defensive side of the ball, well they are playing against Cutler so look for picks from Tramon Williams and Casey Hayward and sacks by CMIII and BJ Raji.

Go Pack GO!

Jason Hirschhorn: This is the biggest game of the year for the Chicago Bears, or as the Green Bay Packers call it, Sunday.

T.J. Lang returns to the starting lineup this week, yet there is more uncertainty than ever along the offensive line. Coach McCarthy refused to confirm whether Lang will be playing at tackle or guard, and now Josh Sitton is questionable. Should Sitton miss the game, Lang will certainly play at left guard with Evan Dietrich-Smith filling in for Sitton at right guard and Don Barclay making his second start at right tackle.

Despite his head/neck injury from last week, Jay Cutler is set to start for the Bears. He’s been inconsistent for the Bears all season, and actually has performed slightly worse at home than on the road. He’s been better of late, however, sporting a 101.6 passer rating in his last two home starts. While that’s a good sign for Chicago, the Bears’ defense has inversely trended. It’s not only Urlacher’s absence; there has been a marked decline in the performance of Julius Peppers and Lance Briggs. While Charles Tillman still has performed well (two forced fumbles in the last two weeks), this, too, represents a cooling off.

With the Packers returning Clay Matthews after a four-game stint on the sidelines, it’s hard to imagine the Bears being able to keep Cutler upright. If the Packers pass protection is anything like what they’ve had the past two weeks (a challenge if Sitton is out), that should be the edge they need to pull it out.

Packers 31 – Bears 24

Sep 13, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) during the game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Bears 23-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

I had the privilege to sit down with Mike Burzawa, the editor over at Fansided.com’s Chicago Bears fan site Beargoggleson.com, for the weekly Q&A, getting his answers to our questions about this weekend’s Green Bay Packers vs. Bears game.

As you will see from his answers, he believes in Christmas miracle, something which isn’t out of the question … especially when these two franchises hit the field.

So, without any more delay, here is how our Q&A transpired:

Brandon Marshall.
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

1. There’s been a lot of smack this week between the two teams, more than quite some time it seems. Do you think that will add an emotional charge to this game and do you think it will make a difference?

It’s nice to see the rivalry getting a little chippy with the players since most of the smack talking is usually reserved to the fans.  For the Packers, they kind of deserve to do a little talking, they’ve won 5 straight and 7 of the last 8.  For the Bears, I think Brandon Marshall was being very calculated in his talking, trying to put the spotlight on himself and off the rest of his team.

I think it’s a bit of an act of desperation by the Bears.  They’ve seen their season go from 7-1 and in the middle of Super Bowl discussion to 8-5 and clinging to a wild card spot.  If you see more emotion on the field on Sunday, it’s because the Bears have to give everything they have in this one.

Brian Urlacher
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

2. Both teams have been wracked by injuries this season. Which team will be impacted most from the loss of their players?

I think definitely the Bears.  First of all, their injuries are on the rise as more and more guys are dropping like flies.  They’re still trying to figure out how to cope with the injuries and get their backups up to speed in a hurry.  Two of the Bears top defenders, Brian Urlacher and Tim Jennings have already been ruled out while a couple of key defensive linemen, Henry Melton and Shea McClellin are listed as doubtful and not expected to play.  That’s not to mention Cutler, who’s like a MASH unit all to himself with a stiff neck and a sprained knee.

For the Packers, it sounds like they’re starting to get healthier.  Greg Jennings is back and Clay Matthews is expected to return, so they seem to be on the rise.

It’s hard to argue with any of the facts that Finley stated – Urlacher is older and definitely a step slower.  I think what most Bears fans and Lance Briggs in particular took exception to was Finley’s editorial of “they’re better off without him.”  Urlacher was still leading the team in tackles and his leadership is invaluable.

Matt Forte
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

4. Game plan: Do the Bears go to their run game first, like Minnesota and Detroit did, to soften up the Packers defense – and then strike through the air. Or do they come out throwing and trying to get Brandon Marshall involved early?

I really hope the Bears feature Matt Forte and the ground attack.  It will not only help to soften up the Packer D, but it can help protect Jay Cutler a little bit.  It was frustrating that last week the Bears let the Vikings get off to a 14-0 lead early in the first quarter and started chucking it all around the field.  There was plenty of time to recover from the early deficit.

I suspect the Packers will try to take Marshall out of the game and force the ball elsewhere.  Cutler and Marshall haven’t seemed to be bothered by double and triple coverage over the last few weeks, so they’ll take their shots.  I definitely think the Bears will go to Marshall more often than they did in Week 2, when Marshall barely got the ball.  If they can’t get it to Marshall, look for rookie Alshon Jeffery to be targeted.

Who doesn’t need to step up?  I actually wrote earlier this week that this game really comes on Cutler.  He’s struggled mightily versus the Pack and needs to overcome that history and his injuries to lead the Bears to a win.  The defense is battered and bruised and just haven’t been making the impact plays they were early in the season, so it’s up to the offense to get it together and score some points.

Lovie Smith
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

6. How do you feel this one will go? Give us a final score.

Every fact and figure I examine tells me the Packers should win this game going away, but deep down I think the Bears find a way to pull this one out.  Maybe the Packers can commit 19 penalties again and gift wrap an early Christmas present for Lovie Smith and the Bears?  I believe in Christmas miracles and have the Bears finding a way to pull this one out 19-17.