Packers avoid Bears comeback, move to 11-3 with victory
The Green Bay Packers survived a late comeback from the Chicago Bears to get their third straight win.
The Chicago Bears were two yards away from tying the game on a miracle final play of the game, but the Green Bay Packers held on. And following a theme we’ve seen so often this season at home, the Packers built a lead then escaped a comeback to win a close game.
And that’s all that matters in the end. The Packers picked up a crucial victory over the Bears to improve to 11-3 on the season, a perfect 4-0 against the division and an impressive 7-1 at Lambeau Field.
If the Dallas Cowboys defeat the Los Angeles Rams this week, the Packers will be playoff-bound for the first time since 2016. But even if that result doesn’t go the way Green Bay needs it to, its chances of reaching the postseason are extremely high after winning game number 11 on the year.
Back to the final play.
The Packers led by eight with only one second remaining in regulation. Moments before, a Hail Mary attempt fell just out the reach of Bears receiver Riley Ridley in the end zone. With the ball at the Green Bay 34-yard line, Mitch Trubisky threw it short to Tarik Cohen, who picked up 13 yards then threw a lateral back to Trubisky, who then found Jesper Horsted. Had Horstead thrown a lateral back to Cohen, he would’ve had a clear path to the end zone.
Thankfully, he didn’t until it was too late. Tramon Williams fell on the ball at the two-yard line to close out a dramatic victory.
In the frozen cold conditions at Lambeau, the Packers had looked to have found their groove again on offense in the first half.
Davante Adams finished with seven catches for 103 yards and a touchdown. Aaron Jones found the end zone twice, taking his season tally to 17 touchdowns. Aaron Rodgers was in rhythm and getting the ball out faster.
But it turned out to be another inconsistent day for the offense. Drives began to stall and the Bears regained some momentum. The Packers missed opportunities, including scoring zero points on a drive that started on the Green Bay 46-yard line after a 45-yard return by Tyler Ervin.
However, there were plenty of positives.
Kenny Clark once again dominated, making two sacks, three tackles for loss and a quarterback hit. Jaire Alexander made one interception and Dean Lowry made an impressive pick at a crucial moment late in the game. The Packers were plus-three in turnover differential and didn’t give it away in this game.
More important than anything else, they got the win. And what an important one it is.