Chicago Bears: 3 Big takeaways from win vs. Packers in Week 15
Bears defense can shut down anyone
The defense once again showed how great it is and that it’s the best in the league. A week after holding down the high-flying Rams offense to zero touchdowns they held Aaron Rodgers to zero touchdowns. This is the same Rodgers who had a 16-4 record against them with 45 touchdowns and just 9 interceptions. He has a career passer rating of 108.3 against Chicago.
On Sunday, Rodgers completed 25 of 42 passes for 274 yards. The Bears got to him just as they did in their first meeting. The difference was in their first game, the Bears did everything in the first half. On Sunday, they had a complete game. They finished with five sacks in the game. Also, they ended Rodgers’ NFL record 403 passes without throwing an interception.
That interception came at a great time, too. The Packers were driving in the fourth quarter. They were down by 10 but were in the red zone. Rodgers dropped back and threw into the end zone. The ball got deflected and safety Eddie Jackson got it. The Bears then ran some clock and forced the Packers to use up their timeouts.
We’ve given this defense a lot of accolades and deservedly so. They’ve shut down nearly every team and quarterback they’ve faced. What they’re doing now is special, though. Early in the season, they went through waves. They started out well, but at some point of a game they let the opposing offense come back. This is not happening now.
They are playing well throughout the game. Yes, they gave up 11 points in the third quarter. However, the touchdowns and 2-point conversion came as a result of the fake field goal. That put the defense in a bad situation.
After the fumble, the defense would not let it happen again. Rodgers and the Packers could have taken the lead if they marched down and scored. Instead, the defense forced a three and out and gave the ball back to the defense. The unit then took the ball 45 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.
The defense again forced a three and out and the offense got a field goal to give the Bears a 10-point cushion. If the offense just doesn’t play it too cute and takes what is given to it, then the Chicago Bears will be a very dangerous team in the playoffs.