Packers Recap
Written by Cavin Berube Friday, 18 September 2009 08:00
Heading into Sunday night’s game featuring the Bears and the Packers, I was ecstatic about seeing my other beloved green and gold open the season.
With the way the offense had played in the preseason, I had pegged the game as a win for the Pack at a score of 34-14. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
The first quarter was quite the offensive struggle. Jay Cutler threw the first of four interceptions, but the Packers were unable to capitalize. The scoreboard still read 0-0 after fifteen minutes.
In the second quarter, Green Bay took the ball into Bears’ territory only to be held to a 52-yard field goal by Mason Crosby. The Bears offense finally woke up on the next possession as Jay Cutler tossed a deep ball down the sideline to Johnny Knox for a 68 yard gain.
Only three plays later, Cutler was picked off by Johnny Jolly just inside the ten yard line. The field position that the Pack had was rancid and the Chicago defense capitalized, sacking Aaron Rodgers for a safety.
After the safety punt, Cutler threw another interception as this one was returned to the Chicago one yard line by Tramon Williams. The Packers Ryan Grant took the ball the next play into the endzone to put the Pack up by eight into halftime.
Starting the second half, Chicago received the kick and Jay Cutler finally seemed to realize what color jersey he was throwing to. He connected with speedster Devin Hester for a 36-yard touchdown pass that would bring the Bears within one at 10-9.
After a quick Packers three and out, the Bears got the ball back in the fourth quarter and Cutler drove his team down within Robbie Gould’s field goal range, and the kicker connected to put the Bears on top for the first time at 12-10.
After yet another punt by the Packers, the Bears were able to get the ball back only to be pushed to another punting situation. This proved to be the play of the game.
After noticing possibly too many men on the field, Chicago longsnapper Pat Manelly surprised running back Garret Wolfe with a direct snap. He was tackled well before the first down marker and the Packers had the ball, already in field goal range. Crosby then connected on another field goal putting the Pack back up 13-12.
With about ten minutes remaining, the Bears were able to get into a rhythm and waste almost seven and a half minutes until finally getting a 21 yard field goal to put them up 15-13 with 2:28 remaining.
Green Bay received the kickoff and Aaron Rodgers did what proved to be so tough last year. On a 3rd and 1 from the 50-yard line, Rodgers was able to connect with Greg Jennings for a touchdown that put the Packers up for good at 21-15.
The Bears would have one last chance to drive down and score before the end of regulation. Cutler, however, continued with the trend of throwing to the team in green as he tossed his fourth interception of the game to Al Harris.
The Packers escaped with an ugly win against a conference opponent. Next up for the Packers are the Cincinnati Bengals.
