Despite sluggish start for the defense, Packer offense too much for the Bears to keep up

 

The Packers overcame sluggish defensive play in the first half to beat the Bears going away in Sunday’s late game. Justin Fields returned and passed and ran with the ball in equal measure as the Bears piled-up 27 points and 247 total yards in the first half, while the Packers special teams was horrible, giving up a 97-yard punt return touchdown and a 42-yard kickoff return in final seconds of the first half to put the Bears in field goal range. Nevertheless, Rodgers managed to keep the game within reach before leading a 24-0 tear in the second half, prevailing 45-30 in the Packers highest-scoring game of the year.

Fields thus far is more hype than substance for his 4-9 team, and he and the Bears were almost completely shut down in the second half, particularly in the third quarter when the Packer defense held them to just 8 yards of offense. The Packers forced three turnovers, including a pick-6, while the Packers committed none. Rodgers had one of his better games this season, completing near 80 percent of his passes for 341 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Davante Adams caught 10 passes for 121 yards and 2 scores.

However, for a while this did look like a game that surprisingly was getting away from the Packers; one can only assume it was the “rust” from the bye week. Whether Rodger’s toe is “better” remains to be seen how it affects his play for the long haul, but scoring on five of the Packers’ last six possessions was certainly a positive sign, and was too much for this Bears team to keep up with.

The Packers now need either to win next week against the Ravens or the Vikings to lose to clinch the NFC North. Lamar Jackson will likely be out with an ankle injury when the Packers play the Ravens on the road, and for the Packers to win the only the first round bye in the new playoff format, they likely must win this and the remainder of their games on their schedule.