8 Quick Observations from Packers Dominant Win over Bears

After rewatching the TV broadcast, here are eight observations from the Green Bay Packers' dominant win over the Chicago Bears.

From the opening snap up until the game was long put away, the Green Bay Packers dominated this game with a 41-25 victory over the Chicago Bears. And truthfully, the game wasn't that close. The Packer offense couldn't be stopped, and on defense, they were able to pressure Mitchell Trubisky early on and force three turnovers as well. 
 
I've now had the opportunity to rewatch the TV copy of this game on NFL Gamepass, and after doing so, I've come away with eight observations from Green Bay's performance against the Bears. 

The energy was back

The last two home games at Lambeau Field have been very, well, let's call it underwhelming. A "lack of energy" was to blame during both the Minnesota and Jacksonville games for the Packers' lackluster performances. As a result, the Vikings' game ended in a loss, and the Jaguars' game nearly did as well.
 
However, that wasn't the case against Chicago. From the opening snap, the Packers came out hot on offense, scoring on their first three possessions of the game. Meanwhile, the defense forced three turnovers, including two in the first half. Green Bay's energy was never in question during this game. Now, let's make sure it stays that way. 

Preston Smith breakout game?

It's been a down year for Preston Smith, to say the least. After finishing with the eighth-most sacks in 2019 and the 15th most pressures by an edge rusher, he isn't even sniffing that production this season. Ultimately, we won't know how good he was during this game until we see the All-22, but initially, this looks like it may have been his best performance of the season.
 
There was, of course, the fumble that Za'Darius gifted him that turned into six points. On top of that, Smith also had a big third-down sack and two quarterback hits. But where I was really impressed was with how he handled RPO's. In recent weeks we've seen teams run right at Smith, and he has not been in a position to make a play or set the edge very well. However, he seemed to hold up very well on Sunday night against the run.
 
For this defense to be at their best, they need Preston Smith playing well. Let's hope this game will be what sparks a strong finish to the season for him. 

Still the Packers' defense

With about five minutes left in the third quarter, the Green Bay Packers held a 31 point lead, with the defense holding Chicago to only 10 points and forcing three turnovers. However, while on paper it looked like a dominant performance, I would chalk this game up more so to the fact that they were playing Mitch Trubisky and the Bears' offense. 
 
Fortunately, Chicago wasn't able to rely heavily on the run since they were down by so much, but they did average 7.6 yards per carry. And keep in mind, this is one of the worst rushing offenses in football. The two interceptions by Darnell Savage were very good plays on the ball from him but the passes were also gifts from Trubisky's poor decision making. Then at halftime, Chicago was actually averaging more yards per play than Green Bay. There were still way too many easy completions for Trubisky throughout the game, and in the fourth quarter, the four-man rush struggled to create any pressure. Not to mention that they were carved up over the middle again.
 
Now having said that, I'm certainly not here to be Debbie-downer by any means, the defense did what they should have done against a poor Bears' offense, but I do believe the outcome of the game masked some of the same issues we've seen from the defensive side of the ball all season.

Matt LaFleur was excellent

You wouldn't know it by how the game unfolded, but this Bears' defense has been one of the best in football this season. Entering Sunday's matchup, they were ranked fourth by DVOA and allowed the sixth-fewest points per game. But behind Matt LaFleur's beautiful play-calling, the Packers carved them up. 
 
Even without Tyler Ervin, we saw a plethora of pre-snap motion in which just about every receiver was involved. There was plenty of misdirection used; they were incredibly successful off play-action again, and Aaron Rodgers got the ball out quickly and spread it around, completing passes to seven different receivers. Just a fantastic job by the entire unit, but it all starts with LaFleur's play-calling. 

Offensive line held up very well

I also have to give a nod to the Green Bay Packers' offensive line. Once again, they were thrown a curveball with Corey Linsley exiting the game, but they still kept Rodgers clean. The quick passing game helped, but even when Rodgers held the ball, he had all day to throw. When it was all said and done, the Green Bay offensive line didn't allow a sack, a quarterback hit, and we hardly heard Khalil Mack's name all night. 

Goodness, the Bears missed Akiem Hicks 

Khalil Mack draws a lot of attention -- and deservedly so -- but Akiem Hicks is a phenomenal player in his own right, and the middle of the Chicago defense clearly missed him Sunday night. Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams averaged nearly five yards per carry with several big runs coming between the tackles. I'll be curious to see how many yards per carry the dynamic duo averaged running through the "A" gaps, but I think it's safe to say that they wouldn't have been as successful if Hicks was available. Also, as highlighted above, the Bears' pass-rush could have used some additional help as well. 

Key stats to know

As you'd expect based on the final score, the Green Bay Packers dominated several key stats that NFL team's hope to win each week. They controlled the clock, holding the ball for nearly 38 minutes, they won the turnover battle 3-0, and they had only three penalties for 17 yards. On top of that, through three quarters, they were 6/9 on third downs, including 5/5 to start the game, and before garbage time, they were a perfect 4/4 in the red zone as well. This is how you go about winning a football game convincingly.

Packers in clear control of the North

With this win, the Green Bay Packers moved to 8-3 on the season, now three full games ahead of the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings, who are tied for second place. Of the Packers' five remaining games, three of them are at Lambeau Field, and only one is against a team over .500.  You never want to count your chickens before they hatch, but Green Bay is in clear control. 

 

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__________________________

Born and raised in Green Bay, WI and I still call it home. After my family, watching the Packers, sharing my opinions on the team through my writing and interacting with other fans is my greatest passion. You can find me on Twitter at @Paul_Bretl. 
 

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18 points
 

Comments (95)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Mvlc1's picture

November 30, 2020 at 11:23 am

GO PACK GO! Another win, I'll take it...…
How in the hell does one of the worst Offenses score 25 points? 10 was pushing my patients! I wonder what Lombardi would have said to the team after this one, or the one after the Jags game? Ya, ya, I get it. This isn't the 60's, Lombardi isn't coaching, but it just seems to me that accountability isn't being a priority. This defense is NOT very good, plain and simple. They have the talent, which is just mind-boggling to me. I stayed up to make sure we actually win the game. I want our team to be the one that all 31 others just FEAR having to play us.

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LeotisHarris's picture

November 30, 2020 at 08:57 pm

I don't care who you are, Doc, the rules are clear; 1) Never shake a baby, 2) Never hit a woman. 3) Never push a patient.

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Leatherhead's picture

December 01, 2020 at 09:50 am

Thanks, Leotis. Humor is appreciated.

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Alberta_Packer's picture

November 30, 2020 at 11:32 am

I would change the title to - Packers Dominant Offensive Win over Bears. Had Trubisky not been Packers 12th man, the outcome might have been very different. Still the D gave-up gobs of ground and later game scores (naturally). It will be the offense that will bring the Packers to the playoffs - the defense that will provide their exit.

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Coldworld's picture

November 30, 2020 at 01:30 pm

While we may not like it (I don’t), that was perhaps the best example of when prevent is rational. Long slow drives rather than a mistake and quick score.

Personally I think it’s Pettine not trusting himself or his players, but it’s hard to use yesterday’s 4th quarter to legitimately ding the players. If I trusted Pettine, the same would go for him. Unfortunately, I do not.

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Alberta_Packer's picture

November 30, 2020 at 01:44 pm

I never liked prevent defenses as it decelerates the game, thereby providing less entertainment value to fans. Plus the Packers are not good at it - with 15 of the Bears 25 points resulting while the Packers were in prevent. When an opposing team scores the majority of their points this way, how is it a prevent D?

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HighPlainsDrifter's picture

November 30, 2020 at 02:59 pm

Those 15 points had absolutely no effect upon the game, zero, none. It was a dominating win regardless of whether the score was 41-10 or 41-25.

Perhaps we are different, but my main entertainment comes from winning. The Bears ran at least 10 minutes of off the clock in the 4th quarter, effectively sealing the Packers victory. Perhaps you would have preferred that Chicago had hit several big plays, scored three touchdowns in two minute drives each, thus putting the game in jeopardy. I'd prefer not to have that type of entertainment.

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Alberta_Packer's picture

November 30, 2020 at 04:31 pm

So when the Packers were not in a prevent defense - for the majority of the game - the Bears only scored 10 points. When the Packers went into prevent (for 1 quarter) - Chicago scored 15. So by your logic the Packers should have, of course, been in prevent!

As for me, I find the journey as important (if not more) as the destination. So yes, it is my expectation that I'm entertained right up until the final score. Anything less than that devalues the overall experience.

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LambeauPlain's picture

November 30, 2020 at 05:12 pm

Yeah, ok. if the score was 28-25 everyone here would be making different comments about the D.

They gave up 25 points. If the O does not ring the bell the bell will toll for a Packer loss.

Pettine is simply not a very good coach. I thought he was. He is not.

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Alberta_Packer's picture

November 30, 2020 at 05:58 pm

Pettine may very well be part of the problem. However, the D-line has been the achilles heel of the defense all year. There are only 1.5 nfl calibre starters on the D-line - Clark and Keke. All others are bench, practice or non-nfl players. And with such a poor line, it compromises the LBs - which compromises the DBs. Unfortunately, we will have to wait until next year for a significant line re-construction.

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splitpea1's picture

November 30, 2020 at 11:37 am

Great article. I appreciate your level-headed analysis and the fact that you weren't swept away by any irrational exuberance. With the exception of the fourth quarter defense, the Packers played an exemplary game in all phases. However, it's a little easier to play "championship-level football" (as one previous author suggested) when you're opponent is struggling mightily on offense, is without their top RB and interior defender, and trots out one of the worst starting QBs in recent memory.

It's an important win that will help us down the road in the playoff picture. I was just hoping for some stiffer competition, not just for my own enjoyment, but to maybe shake that adversity bug that has bitten us recently.

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Lphill's picture

November 30, 2020 at 12:05 pm

The only forced turnover was the fumble by Trubisky the interceptions were just bad throws, other than that Trubisky was hitting open receivers all game because of the usual Pettine coverage, nothing dominant here from the defense anyway.

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dobber's picture

December 01, 2020 at 09:18 am

"other than that Trubisky was hitting open receivers all game because of the usual Pettine coverage,"

Trubisky was 26 of 46 (56%) for 242 yards on Sunday night. He averaged about 5 ypa. How many of those completions came late? A lot of them--he was 14-23 (63%) on those last two drives..that means he was 12-23 prior to that when the game was close to being in question. It's fine to not put credit on the defense by saying Trubisky is bad--he is. But he wasn't peppering this defense by any stretch.

"...the interceptions were just bad throws"

Aren't all of them, by definition? I don't fault players for making plays they're supposed to make.

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HawkPacker's picture

November 30, 2020 at 11:52 am

It seemed that the announcers in pre game sounded like the Bears had a great chance to win the game. That got my attention as my initial feeling was a packer victory. Then I see that Akiem Hicks is out for this game. I knew right then that the pack would win. Hicks is as much if not more important than Kahlil Mack.

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Turophile's picture

November 30, 2020 at 11:58 am

Nice piece Paul.
If there is one thing that 30 years of dominance over the Bears tells us, it's how much difference a good QB makes. In the years of Favre/Rodgers, the Bears have had an endless QB search without much lasting success.

I really do hope that over the next year or so Love can become another good QB for the Packers. It just makes so much difference when you have a good man under center, and they are very tough to find. In 2017 the Bears took QB Mitch Trubisky with the second overall pick, when Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson were still on the board (they went 10th and 12th). They made the wrong choice again, so their troubles continue to dog them.

One other thing of note. I believe Matt LaFleur has a better playbook than McCarthy, it is better at scheming players open. I do think LaFleur still struggles to make adjusments throughout a game, but his scheme gets more out of players (and of course he has a tremendous QB to execute his designs). He might have to change his defensive coordinator after this year because Pettine has been a disappointment - I absolutely loved his hire at the time, and it took a long time to accept I was wrong. Both the DC and the in-game adjustments are fixable, so the team could be better in those areas going forward..............if they get another good QB, they could have a team as good as the Packers were, in the 1996 season.

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Jonathan Spader's picture

November 30, 2020 at 03:29 pm

In the Bears game I thought about the difference between MM and MLF as offensive playcallers.MM would take his foot off the gas and coast and we saw MLF keep his foot on the gas all game.

Capers would go into "prevent defense" amd Pettine dors the exact same thing. Under both we have the same result. A game that looks score wise like it was closer than it really was. Otherwise it leads to a loss.

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bjkdad44's picture

November 30, 2020 at 06:40 pm

Bout time he left his foot on the gas!

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

November 30, 2020 at 11:56 am

Playoff caliber QBs are not going to turn over the football the way Trubisky did.

I've watched Bears a few times this year and thier offense was putrid even with Foles. The Packers D made them look much better even with Trubisky.

I'm happy for the win but this defense isn't good enough for the playoffs.

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Coldworld's picture

November 30, 2020 at 01:34 pm

Foles would have been worse behind that O line and playoff QBs do, just not as inevitably. The thing that devalues the performance is not that those were easy turnovers, they never are, but that Chicago ran 13 times and threw more than 40. Santa came early in the form of that game plan

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

November 30, 2020 at 02:42 pm

Yeah, they run/pass balance by Nagy was bad.

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LambeauPlain's picture

November 30, 2020 at 03:34 pm

So you really think the bares game plan coming into the game was to pass, pass, pass? Against one of the most porous, soft run D's in the NFL?

I think the Packers O took the bares game plan and shredded it early with not stop points.

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MITM's picture

November 30, 2020 at 04:54 pm

who are the bares

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Qoojo's picture

November 30, 2020 at 08:14 pm

I saw the same thing as you. When not gifted with easy turnovers and non-call on face mask, the bears moved the ball, and then the bears gave up on the run early.

The superbowl offense paired with a bottom tier defense. The only chance is if the offense can force a team one dimensional and having to throw. The packers defense cannot handle play-action or running.

Ultimately, this team is will draft in the mid to upper 20s.

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Qoojo's picture

November 30, 2020 at 08:14 pm

duplicate post

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Tedlyflyfisher's picture

November 30, 2020 at 12:09 pm

I’m very happy to be 8-3, but we’re not going far with this defense.

For one thing, I think we’ve seen enough to say that the Kirksey experiment hasn’t gone well. And the tackling by this group is really weak. And our red zone defense is pathetic.

But oh boy, that offensive line has really deserved some applause. No matter who goes out of the game, they find a way to protect Rodgers! Go Pack, GO!

8 points
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Archie's picture

December 01, 2020 at 10:47 am

Agree 100%: Kirksey runs like he has cement overshoes on and OL has performed superbly.

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SpikeHyzer's picture

December 01, 2020 at 12:07 pm

Runyon may make some off season decisions easier.
I suspect it's good bye to Linsley so that we can keep King and Jones.

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Fabio's picture

November 30, 2020 at 12:23 pm

I saw the match when it was 2 am in Italy. It ended at 5:30 and I thought: It's always good to beat the Bears. Soon after, I remembered that I had seen Tampa vs KC and the end of the game of LA vs SF. Our defense will never be at that level .... Saleh, despite all the injured SF players, always manages to propose a dominant D. The Tampa D, despite Brady's poor performance, managed to keep the squad afloat. If I think of the Packers' D I think they try to catch (when they can) the ball carriers instead of attacking them (Kirksey bad buy). I see continuous errors that in my opinion are also of a technical nature (SERIOUS), but maybe I'm wrong because I don't consider myself a connoisseur. Now I'm going to sleep I'm upset .... greetings to all Packers fans

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HankScorpio's picture

November 30, 2020 at 12:57 pm

"I remembered that I had seen Tampa vs KC and the end of the game of LA vs SF. Our defense will never be at that level .... Saleh, despite all the injured SF players, always manages to propose a dominant D. The Tampa D, despite Brady's poor performance, managed to keep the squad afloat."

They were last year, at least at times. I recall the huge win at Minny in the 2nd to last game last season. The offense came out shooting themselves in the foot. The defense stood tall and practically won the game by themselves.

I just don't understand why this year's defense appears so much worse than last year's defense. They lost Blake Martinez, Tramon Williams and their DB coach, Joe Whitt. I don't think the play of Martinez and/or Williams is the issue. Maybe Joe Whitt is the most brilliant coach nobody ever heard of.

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Coldworld's picture

November 30, 2020 at 01:37 pm

Use of personnel on D line, refusal to use D linemen and ILBs in favor of DEs and D/Bs, Change in use of OLBs from last year, playing less nan and less aggressively. Not trusting D/Bs to make plays and playing off more .... Pettine!

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jannes bjornson's picture

November 30, 2020 at 04:32 pm

Safeties lined up in the gaps to blitz it or drop to cover. Like the Honey Badger or Belichick's schemes. No use of disguise. The only CB blitz/sack came when Jaire anticipated and attacked Cousins for the safety. Take your pick.

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Packer_Fan's picture

November 30, 2020 at 12:25 pm

My comments. Offense was great. Only hiccup was the first drive at the start of the second half. After getting the 1st and 20, the plays and play calls went south.

Defense??? Just can't figure them out. That first long run was against the two man line. Can't figure that out. What I don't like is playing soft before the half and at the end of the game. I would like to see them more aggressive. Just don't understand Pettine. I did like Savage outrunning the receiver on the first interception.

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Leatherhead's picture

November 30, 2020 at 01:04 pm

The long run was because Kamal Martin did not maintain gap integrity, and he ran himself out of the play. He was not blocked.

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Coldworld's picture

November 30, 2020 at 01:39 pm

Gap integrity comment reminded me how much better our ST unit handled that yesterday than last week. Good ST performance.

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Guam's picture

November 30, 2020 at 12:32 pm

I was pleasantly surprised with the Packer's receiving group. ESB finally started to look like the receiver he was during the last half of his rookie season and if that continues, the Packers will have a more than adequate WR corps.

I have been a frequent critic of Pettine's defense, but I will give them a pass for the 4th quarter of this game. They only gave up 10 points to Trubisky and Company when it counted. When you are up 31 points, they last thing you want is to get beaten quickly over the top. The Packers played prevent and it allowed Trubisky to manage a couple of long drives, but the Bears were never back in the game. That's okay.

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splitpea1's picture

November 30, 2020 at 12:43 pm

The only thing I would add is that it would have been nice if the defense would have held up better in the fourth quarter so we could have gotten AR out of there a little earlier and maybe seen Love for a few snaps.

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NitschkeFan's picture

November 30, 2020 at 01:06 pm

I don't think Love is even dressed for the game. So you would have seen Boyle if AR comes out (as we saw during the kneel downs at the end)

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HankScorpio's picture

November 30, 2020 at 01:07 pm

It wasn't just the 4th quarter. The Packers didn't force a punt in the first half. The Smith fumble recovery TD required the refs missing not one but two blatant face mask penalties on the Packers. Stuff like that happens all the time so you take the good end because you'll inevitably get the bad end. But that's random chance.

Trubisky being Trubisky was responsible for the other two. The first one was a duck that allowed Savage to close and snatch. The other was thrown into triple coverage while ignorning a wide-open Allen Robinson.

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packer132's picture

November 30, 2020 at 03:46 pm

Love has been inactive every game and could not have played. It looks like the plan is to have him sit and learn until next season.

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moreritzcrackers's picture

November 30, 2020 at 09:31 pm

EQ had a few mistakes but he made some fast bear defenders look SLOW. That got me excited ... mans like 6’5 and ran a 4.4.

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porupack's picture

December 01, 2020 at 05:31 am

Guam, you may be right. A barely acceptable Defense will play that way, rather than take risks. A good defense doesn't have to really take a lot of risks either, as they normally put sufficient pressure on the passer and challenge the receivers. So even when GB defense didn't have to really play the run game and could focus on the pass, they couldn't really stop a poor quality Chigo offense without taking risks. Any of the top 12 NFL teams would have kept that 4th quarter blank. But I believe you are right, that with GB defense, it was the prudent way to play the 4th quarter: ignore the run game, ignore the first 12 yards, and hope the safeties and CBs can make a tackle.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

December 01, 2020 at 06:19 am

Yup, GB has to prioritize, and even then sometimes the point of emphasis (eg. prevent D) does not work as well as one would hope.

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SpikeHyzer's picture

December 01, 2020 at 12:05 pm

Beaten over the top or injured against a bad team that you know you are going to beat.

Save it for the playoffs.

Likewise, props to ESB for getting OB and not taking a brutal hit from 3 converging Bears for 1 or 2 extra yards.

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Koostyroosty's picture

November 30, 2020 at 12:36 pm

Don't sell the D short on the good plays. The strip sack TD return and the 2 interceptions were good individual plays. Savage really motored in the first one and made a helluva catch falling backwards on the second. I think we have talented players on D, but something is missing. They don't play very well as a unit. Is that coaching? Maybe. If our D get abused in the playoffs again, I don't see how Pettine survives.

10 points
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Alberta_Packer's picture

November 30, 2020 at 01:00 pm

The strip sack was legitimate. The 2 interceptions were wrapped, with a big bow, gifts from Trubisky - throwing into double-coverage - with one ball under-thrown and the other over-thrown. Relatively easy plays.

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HankScorpio's picture

November 30, 2020 at 01:09 pm

Z and Clark both got too much of Trubisky's face mask for me to call that fumble legit. They both should have been flagged, erasing the TD.

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Alberta_Packer's picture

November 30, 2020 at 01:28 pm

Point taken. So re-thinking my comment - the fumble was not on Trubisky - so lowering the grade even further for the Packers D.

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Coldworld's picture

November 30, 2020 at 01:44 pm

Lol, the face mask was at worst questionable and anyone who thinks either of those two interceptions were easy is simply deluded. A D can only take what it’s given.

I’m happy to criticize Pettine, but this is simply bending reality to suit a false narrative. As is the idea that the D didn’t hold up well in the first half.

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Alberta_Packer's picture

November 30, 2020 at 02:03 pm

The offense dominated in time of possession by more than 15 minutes and controlled the play -especially in the first half (which limited the D's on-field time). As for the fumble-return - it should have been a face-mask call on the D - not a touchdown. In the 4th quarter we saw what happened when Chicago dominated the time of possession - 15 points against the D!

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Thegravedigger's picture

November 30, 2020 at 04:35 pm

It was 41 10. The point was to let them dominate time of poss. Because if they dominate time of possession on two drives down 30 in the 4th, you know what happens? The packers win. So relax. This aint college football. The top scoring defenses in the nfl still give up almost 20 a game. Teams are going to score. Especially in garbage time.

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Alberta_Packer's picture

November 30, 2020 at 05:02 pm

Except the Packers were better in a non-prevent D - so why change? Why fix something that's not broke? A prevent D can work well with a team that typically has a good D. But the Packers do not have a good D and even worse prevent D (see Packers vs. Colts). Yes top defenses will give up points but 25 points to one of the more anemic defenses? Also as a paying fan, I like to watch 4 quarters of good football - not 3 quarters and kitty bar the door.

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Thegravedigger's picture

December 01, 2020 at 10:51 pm

I hear you on the why change point. Its something i hadnt thought of but it makes sense. If you are up 41 10, in the 4th, why not stay aggressive? Let your corners press, get some sacks. Its a good point alberta packer. Id like to see it for four quarters my self. I guess they were just letting them chew clock. Let me ask you this. If king catches that pick n we win 41 17, are you still upset?

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LambeauPlain's picture

November 30, 2020 at 04:02 pm

The best D yesterday was the O keeping them off the field with time of possession dominance.

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dobber's picture

December 01, 2020 at 09:26 am

The referee was shielded on the play by about 6 bodies. It definitely could've been flagged...but wasn't. The play stands, so I don't know why we question the legitimacy.

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Thegravedigger's picture

December 01, 2020 at 10:58 pm

Exactly. He was fumbling regardless. Its just nitpicking. With the amount of rules in the nfl, a ref could throw a flag for either holding illegal contact or that lowering yoyr head bs flag (on offense or d) on any play. Every play there is a "foul" committed. They gotta let shit go most of the time if they want it to actually still be football and not sarcastaball.

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porupack's picture

December 01, 2020 at 05:34 am

Pettine, meet Mr. Patricia and Mr. Quinn. Gentlleman, here are your membership cards, and over there is the bar. Do have a seat.........

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canadapacker's picture

November 30, 2020 at 12:59 pm

I thought that Trubisky would hurt us more - but his mental state has deteriorated since his first season and besides his two bad INT's he was off on a lot of throws and only ran once or twice and not by real design or with authority. But I was still worried late in the second quarter when they marched down and made it 27-10. Then they get the ball starting the second half and could have made it 27-17 and we go 3 and out and they make it 27-24. But we got a stop to start the second half and of course we got 3 and out and they get the ball. But surprise we get an INT and put the game away with 2 scores. But I was really happy with AR's accuracy this game - his throws were almost always exactly where they needed to be to keep the guys running.
These next 2 games are not only winnable but mandatory to win. I think that both the Titans ( best running back) and even Carolina - 2 good running backs Davis and if McCaffery is back - will eat us up. At 10-3 we can afford to lose those 2 games and play the Bears again for playoff position and not just to get in.

2 points
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Alberta_Packer's picture

November 30, 2020 at 01:16 pm

I think that the Titans and Panthers games offers snapshots - of teams with a good offensive line and running backs - that await the Packers in the playoffs. The Packers D, to date, have had no answers to this type of team. And there is nothing to suggest that they will be up to the task. The next 2 games will have to be won by the offense.

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Thegravedigger's picture

November 30, 2020 at 01:10 pm

I hear all yall, the d has been bad. But the offense has been great. And any of you who think we cant win a superbowl with this defense, did you watch 2019? Have you seen the chiefs defense? The nfl is built in 2020 for the offense to succeed, and we got one of the best to ever do it playing at his best. So yea, i worry about the defense too, but we have alot of underperforming players on d who just need to play to their abilities. Amos and savage are playing good. The corners are good and great. K clark will arive. Rashan gary is improving. Kirksey and lowry are problems. But so what? This team has a real shot, as long as covid doesnt hit em at the wrong time.

2 points
5.5
3.5
Befuddled's picture

December 01, 2020 at 06:22 am

I did see the Chiefs defense do a better job of keeping the 49er's running game in check. Something the Packers defense could not do in the 2 games they played against the 49er's last season. The Chiefs defense had the excuses to be bad, [new coordinator new scheme , good players lost] yet managed to do a better job than the Packers with the same coordinator and scheme.

1 points
1
0
SpikeHyzer's picture

December 01, 2020 at 12:03 pm

The D has been just good enough all year and steadily improved.
I think this was a statement game and they are now almost Super Bowl caliber (and have 5 more games to refine that further).

It may not be the Colts, Bears or Eagles, but Rodgers DESTROYED the latter two great Defenses by posting QBRs 30 and 45 points above what they averaged giving up prior. Knocked both Defenses out of the top 5 in that stat.

Our D may not have those numbers, but it's getting better by the day.

0 points
0
0
arthurl's picture

November 30, 2020 at 01:11 pm

People really; they were up 41-10 in the 3rd quarter. The offense and defense were playing great. At that point the game was won and the goal was don’t get anyone injured. Some folks are never satisfied; they are in the running for the top seed and their remaining schedule looks very favorable. Either 13-3 and 12-4 would be an excellent overall performance.

7 points
9
2
Alberta_Packer's picture

November 30, 2020 at 01:33 pm

Good defenses do not give-up many points in garbage time - that's why the result is a blow-out. Also the Titans and Panthers are not favorable matches for the Packers - i.e., teams who run the ball a lot and well.

-1 points
4
5
Coldworld's picture

November 30, 2020 at 01:46 pm

Garbage time ... your own language contradicts your rationale.

3 points
5
2
Alberta_Packer's picture

November 30, 2020 at 02:11 pm

Perhaps it will be easier for you to understand that a good defense does not give-up points - easily or at anytime. This being the opposite of the Packers D.

-1 points
3
4
HighPlainsDrifter's picture

November 30, 2020 at 03:14 pm

What is easy to understand is that you are on a one track narrative. You know that there is a prevailing negative sentiment here about the defense. Thus you throw in your uninformed negative comments so you can get some up votes and feel good about yourself.

It's a cheap way to inflate your ego, but it's all you've got.

-3 points
3
6
Alberta_Packer's picture

November 30, 2020 at 03:24 pm

So please present your argument (with references) that the Packers have a good, playoff quality defense.

1 points
3
2
HighPlainsDrifter's picture

November 30, 2020 at 05:39 pm

Nice attempt at deflecting, but the substantive quality of the defense was not the point. The point was your singular focus on pressing the exact same point over multiple comments for your own personal reasons. That, and your being rude to the commenter who dared to disagree with your opinion.

0 points
1
1
Alberta_Packer's picture

November 30, 2020 at 06:14 pm

OK - so you're not going to make the argument for the Packers defense?

0 points
1
1
Thegravedigger's picture

December 02, 2020 at 10:12 pm

The number one defense in the nfl gives up 20 points a game. Its just wwhat it is now. Us die hard fans love defense. But the fringe fans and fantasy people dont. We will watch regardless. They wont.

0 points
0
0
LayingTheLawe's picture

November 30, 2020 at 02:49 pm

I agree, the Bears got the bulk of their yards and points after the game was over. And een being garbage time It took King having a gift sent right into his hands that he dropped to give the Bears a score.

Maybe Packers fans have PTSD from last years championship game but it feels like Packers twitter goes "oh see we needed to draft a receiver" every time the packers punt the ball and go" ohh the defense sucks" after they had dominated the game for 3 quarters. The Packers won't score on every drive. But they can score a lot of points on any D. This packers D will never be dominant with this scheme. Accept it. What they need to do to help the team win is make some turnovers and timely sacks to end drives. Even last season they were never dominant - they got sacks, turnovers and were good in the red zone. That's what to look for.

4 points
4
0
Point-Packer's picture

November 30, 2020 at 01:30 pm

Great win. MLF had them well prepared and had an excellent game plan. Rodgers looked as good as ever. He ain't going anywhere for awhile.

Question: Why does GB continue to run Williams outside the tackles? It may have worked one or twice (maybe?) but it seems like every time they run him outside its a loss or a small gain. He's great inside the tackles, but his power and lack of top notch speed don't seem to combine to make him a great outside runner. What am I missing here?

3 points
3
0
hhsbaseball's picture

November 30, 2020 at 01:41 pm

What you are missing is he bounces those outside when the middle is jammed up. "They" design plays to go inside and he just takes what the defense gives him.

3 points
3
0
LambeauPlain's picture

November 30, 2020 at 03:57 pm

Agree. And I believe Coach Matt sees his O line most adept at the wide zone block scheme with inside runs. Even AJ seems to get his chunk runs inside because the OL gets to the second level so often.

0 points
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0
jannes bjornson's picture

November 30, 2020 at 04:49 pm

He finally ran some inside zone/traps that helped free up the inside game since the Bears were short-handed in the middle..

0 points
0
0
Lphill's picture

November 30, 2020 at 01:40 pm

The Packers will go as far as Pettine takes them , that's what will determine the outcome of this season.

1 points
4
3
Thegravedigger's picture

November 30, 2020 at 02:05 pm

Deleted

0 points
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Thegravedigger's picture

November 30, 2020 at 02:03 pm

They could also go as far as aaron rodgers takes them. I hear you on pettine. Hes probably gone after the season. But its 2020 and the saying defense wins championships is decades old. The bears have a top defense and look where they are. They are nowhere. I love defense. I would love for pwttine to get it together. But as long as the players on d perform up to their ability and the offense keeps this up the packers can win despite pettine.

2 points
3
1
Befuddled's picture

December 01, 2020 at 06:31 am

The phrase "defense wins championships" may be old but does have some merit. The last 2 championship games the Packers played in they lost and gave up an average of over 40 points.

0 points
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0
moreritzcrackers's picture

November 30, 2020 at 09:37 pm

Can someone smarter than me explain why Preston Smith is dropping into coverage so much more compared to last year? Does it have to do with hurt personnel (or lack of personnel at all)? Or is it a scheme change?

I really think that’s a major liability and I can’t figure out what Pettine’s rationale is...

1 points
1
0
stockholder's picture

November 30, 2020 at 02:36 pm

MY OBSERVATION: THE BEARS GAVE UP TO MUCH FOR MACK. The Bear LBs are over-rated. Planning around Hicks? Send that to BG!

4 points
4
0
LambeauPlain's picture

November 30, 2020 at 03:51 pm

Imagine what this offense could be if they only had drafted a WR early this year or traded for a stud catcher! Stupid Gutey.

Yes, I am kidding. DA, Bobby, Lazard, ESB, MVS, Big Dog, Sternberger, the duo of Aaron and Jamaal all have ability to catch the bullseye throws from #12 to be the most productive group in the NFL down the stretch.

The D on the other hand? Nah.

3 points
4
1
hodge555's picture

November 30, 2020 at 04:53 pm

How choreographed was this game?
Davante Adams' 500th career catch is a TD.
Marcedes Lewis' 400th career catch is a TD.
Aaron Rodgers' pass to put him over 50,000 yards is also a TD pass (39yrd to Tonyan).
All on the game that is the 100th win over the Bears.

Coincidence or did we just take the piss that much?
If that was a movie script it would have been rejected.

5 points
5
0
packerbacker-53's picture

November 30, 2020 at 06:41 pm

Mike P won't make it to the next season. Unfortunately that will be after we lose in the playoffs again

2 points
2
0
packer132's picture

November 30, 2020 at 10:03 pm

Don't count the Packers out of it yet. There are 5 games left and team is playing well, though not perfect. Rodgers had a first half like few others with 4 touchdowns, no interceptions, no sacks, and time to pass or check down. 41-10 after 3 quarters.
Maybe Pettine will use Rush as DT and WInn more to plug the run. We will be getting Barnes back at LB and Savage is playing better. Maybe King can play a few games with no injuries, and more reps from Martin and Gary. They still need to tackle and swarm to the ball but I thought the defense brought it to the Bears.

0 points
0
0
packer132's picture

November 30, 2020 at 10:03 pm

Don't count the Packers out of it yet. There are 5 games left and team is playing well, though not perfect. Rodgers had a first half like few others with 4 touchdowns, no interceptions, no sacks, and time to pass or check down. 41-10 after 3 quarters.
Maybe Pettine will use Rush as DT and WInn more to plug the run. We will be getting Barnes back at LB and Savage is playing better. Maybe King can play a few games with no injuries, and more reps from Martin and Gary. They still need to tackle and swarm to the ball but I thought the defense brought it to the Bears.

0 points
0
0
packer132's picture

November 30, 2020 at 10:03 pm

Don't count the Packers out of it yet. There are 5 games left and team is playing well, though not perfect. Rodgers had a first half like few others with 4 touchdowns, no interceptions, no sacks, and time to pass or check down. 41-10 after 3 quarters.
Maybe Pettine will use Rush as DT and WInn more to plug the run. We will be getting Barnes back at LB and Savage is playing better. Maybe King can play a few games with no injuries, and more reps from Martin and Gary. They still need to tackle and swarm to the ball but I thought the defense brought it to the Bears.

0 points
0
0
porupack's picture

December 01, 2020 at 05:45 am

Perhaps Gute has seen enough of a porous Dline, and is going to take a late season bet on a flood-dike; DT Anthony Rush. May he be the next Gilbert Brown.

1 points
1
0
EddieLeeIvory's picture

December 01, 2020 at 06:26 am

The thing that's missing from our team, that sadly will prevent us from winning a Super Bowl, is physicality from our defense. On the Dline especially but also at ILB.

Kenny Clark is the only legit guy we have aside from edge rushers.
Kirskey is finesse. And fragile.
Kamal Martin has the attitude, but he's fragile, brittle, and doesn't understand Pettine's scheme.

How many times are guys wide open running across the field? One guy thinks it's man coverage, another is playing zone. That might be good enough against Mitchell Trubisky but it won't be, it wasn't, against decent QBs. Or good ones. Or great ones.
We made Phil Rivers look good.
Then look what Tennessee did to him, the Colts, this week.

We need to add 1 or 2 more DT big bodies. And guys with some physicality, meanness. If we need to get them off a real defenses practice squad, do it. If we need to furlough some violent 330 pounder out of prison, bring him in.
We need a few attitudes like former Packers Charles Martin, Desmond Bishop, Chuck Cecil, Seth Joyner, Gilbert Gravedigger Brown.

The Eagles come to town & their offense is pathetic. But their defense is physical as hell & that's how they beat us in Green Bay last year.

We need to match their physicality. Wentz sucks. Might be benched by our game. Maybe they'll "covid" him to save the embarrassment/controversy.

4 points
4
0
SpikeHyzer's picture

December 01, 2020 at 11:56 am

That's because it's a hybrid of zone and man to man.
I think LaFleuer and Pettine are trying to innovate on D to counter the modern NFL offense, which is full of legal picks and misdirection. Playing close to the line in straight up man to man just doesn't work anymore.

I thought it was lack of pass rush that had our CBs playing 10 yards off the line, but even as Gary has emerged to improve the pass rush in the last few weeks, the CBs are still nearly as far back.

It's by design. Little bubbles of zones that are intended to pass off the receiver if another is about to enter the zone. Then it becomes man to man for the guy the receiver has been passed off to.

I actually think it's brilliant and coming together.

0 points
0
0
SpikeHyzer's picture

December 01, 2020 at 11:56 am

That's because it's a hybrid of zone and man to man.
I think LaFleuer and Pettine are trying to innovate on D to counter the modern NFL offense, which is full of legal picks and misdirection. Playing close to the line in straight up man to man just doesn't work anymore.

I thought it was lack of pass rush that had our CBs playing 10 yards off the line, but even as Gary has emerged to improve the pass rush in the last few weeks, the CBs are still nearly as far back.

It's by design. Little bubbles of zones that are intended to pass off the receiver if another is about to enter the zone. Then it becomes man to man for the guy the receiver has been passed off to.

I actually think it's brilliant and coming together.

0 points
0
0
SpikeHyzer's picture

December 01, 2020 at 11:59 am

Not at all worried about the Eagles' D.

Colts and Bears were top 6 in passer rating allowed at 79 and 85 respectively.

Rodgers only destroyed both teams with 110 and 133 QBRs and those team's rankings took a huge hit.

He'll destroy the Eagles' D as well.

0 points
0
0
Archie's picture

December 01, 2020 at 10:55 am

Highlight of Bears game: Emergence of EQ - he's beginning to look like a taller Davontae.

1 points
1
0
SpikeHyzer's picture

December 01, 2020 at 11:52 am

The Packer D is getting better each week and is rounding into Super Bowl contending form.

It's a bit disingenuous to say that the Bears averaged 7.6 yards per carry on their 16 carries because there was a huge statistical outlier (the 57 yard run, that did not result in a TD).

If you take that out, the Bears ran 15 times for 65 yards, a paltry 4.33 per carry.

The D was solid against the run but for one play.

0 points
0
0
Andresmo93's picture

December 01, 2020 at 01:00 pm

I dont like Pettine, the defense lacks energy and they do not execute well, tackling is simply awful. We barely blitz and we are always in nickel or dime personnel. It is very very tough to be a linebacker in Pettines system. Most of the time theyll have just 5 guys trying to defend the run, the DL and the mike. They have tried to play an hybrid linebacker-safety, who can blitz move with the RB or the TE and secure a tackle in the second level, first was Josh Jones and now is Raven Green. that and to me that is the missing piece in this D. The Derwin James or Jamal Adams, the Eric Kendricks or Darius Leonard who excel in space and have the body to shed a block from an OL are rare, It is very difficult to find that kind of player.

I understand what the strategy is. Offense builds an early lead and then Defense goes with light personnel because they need points quickly so they tend to abandon the run. But the middle of this defense is so poor that they are going to run anyway. Why not, they are going to get 6 or 7 yards a carry. Yes, defenses against this offense are usually exhausted in the third quarter because we normally own the time of possession in the first half but on the other hand their OL is fresh.

With this offense we should be able to close games but there are two Green Bay Packers teams, the O GB and the D GB. They dont play with a common strategy. If you have the lead be agressive on defense because if you dont theyll be back on the game with our run defense.

0 points
0
0