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Three takeaways from Green Bay Packers’ victory over Chicago Bears

By Freddie Boston

Dec 18, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Ty Montgomery (88) is congratulated for scoring a touchdown by quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Green Bay won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Ty Montgomery (88) is congratulated for scoring a touchdown by quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Green Bay won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 18, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews (52) looks on prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews (52) looks on prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

Missing: Clay Matthews

Clay Matthews clearly isn’t at 100 percent with a shoulder injury, again making minimal impact on the field.

He finished the game without a single tackle, offering very little for Dom Capers’ defense. Why he’s even out there at this point is a head scratcher. I get it. If he can go, he will. But the Packers aren’t getting production from their best pass rusher.

It’s evident the shoulder issue is limiting Matthews on game day, so why put him on the field while he’s struggling? It’s unlikely, however, that Matthews will return to full health before the season ends.

“I’ve said in weeks prior, I did a number to it, there’s some damage in there,” Matthews said prior to Sunday’s game with Chicago. “It’ll continue to get stronger and better, but unfortunately until the offseason, it’s not getting 100 percent healthy. I’ll continue, I think, to progress health-wise, strength, range of motion, everything, and hopefully that correlates to more playing time.”

There was no signs of progression in Sunday’s win. Whether Matthews can get closer to his normal self this year remains to be seen, but for now the Packers will need to find playmakers elsewhere on defense.

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