Cory's Corner: Pounce Early And Often
The Packers won because the Bears tried to be something they aren't.
GREEN BAY — The Bears are built to be a 1972 Chevy pickup with rust on each side. They have looked ugly all year, but still manage to chug through.
Yet, Chicago still attempted 35 passes with a quarterback that is one of the worst in the league in completion percentage.
And almost in poetic fashion, the Packers beat the Bears 28-21 at Lambeau Field thanks to an underthrown ball by Caleb Williams with 27 seconds left. It wasn’t just underthrown, it was awful. And since the Bears were staring at fourth-and-1 at the Packers 14, running the ball between the tackles would’ve made more sense.
It may sound odd, but the Bears should feel confident heading into the rematch in a couple weeks. The Bears ran the ball down Green Bay’s throat in the second half by tallying 90 yards on the ground after getting 48 in the first half.
Keisean Nixon got vindication on that game-sealing last play by securing the pick. He was flagged for illegal hands to the face and for unnecessary roughness for retaliating against Bears wideout Luther Burden.
“He knows what I said to him,” said Packers coach Matt LaFleur, who is now 12-1 against the Bears. “We had a quick conversation and you’ve got to be smart. You’ve got to keep your poise. I will say that I was proud of how he responded. And then to have that interception at the end of the game was, obviously, a critical moment.”
Even though the Packers had to hold on in the frigid cold, they are now in the cat bird seat in the NFC North. They are 9-3-1 and are 4-0 in the division. The Bears and Lions are both 1-3 in the NFC North.
“You’ve got to really embrace that grind, embrace the challenge,” LaFleur said. “It’s not going to be easy from here on out.”
He’s right, it won’t be, but if the Packers want to go 4-0 down the stretch, it will be because of the right arm of Jordan Love. It was perfect that Jayden Reed came back because Dontayvion Wicks’ ankle was bothering him on Sunday, which is why he wasn’t a factor.
Love still made a bad decision with the first half interception, but finished 17-for-25 for 234 yards and three touchdowns. It was also his second straight game with a passer rating over 120 by posting a 120.7.
Just to prove that Love doesn’t play favorites, he tossed a perfect 45-yard touchdown pass to Bo Melton that couldn’t have been placed any better. Remember, Melton has played 50 percent of the defensive snaps at cornerback this year after making the switch from receiver in training camp. That was Melton’s third catch of the season and the first receiving touchdown since the NFC Divisional Round on Jan. 20, 2024.
“I got to my drop and saw that they just dropped him,” said Jordan Love, who has 3,028 yards, 22 touchdowns, four picks and a passer rating of 105.4 this season. “It’s a perfect kind of route for the coverage they were giving us.”
If Matthew Stafford didn’t have 35 touchdown passes, Love would be getting more MVP consideration. Even though his footwork is still a head scratcher at times, his off-platform throws and deep balls have been very good. It’s like the Packers offense is a mouth-watering lasagne and Love is just sprinkling ample amounts of parmesan on top.
The Bears proved that they can run the ball between the tackles against a thin Packers defensive line. Which is why the Packers have to pounce early and never let up.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (95)
Cheezehead72
December 09, 2025 at 06:38 am
The throw to Melton was not perfect. Love threw short and the DB was close to blocking it. That throw needed to be a little further to keep it away from the DB.
The division record has little bearing on the Packers being as we have that tie. The Packers cannot depend on the division record breaking a tie. But having no losses in the division says a lot. If they can beat the Bears in two weeks they should go 6-0 in the division. I see the Packers going 3-1 but they could easily go 4-0 or 2-2.
murf7777
December 09, 2025 at 07:44 am
Cheese, I agree it would’ve been nice to have less air and more away from the defender. the reality is most passes that deep are not perfect and the WR has to adjust to a ball. Because Love throws a lot of air on the ball in these long passes it does make it easier for WR’s to adjust and harder on the CB’s because they don’t see the ball normally. In that case, the Safety wasn’t on the player so he saw the ball in the air. Love’s long throws also makes for an easy ball to catch. Love’s playing like a top 3 QB right now.
dobber
December 09, 2025 at 07:51 am
To add: I think the WR know at this point that if they're running deep routes to look for the ball early so they CAN adjust...not to mention that looking early gets a DB to turn and look for the ball, too, which slows them down and allows room and separation to make the catch.
Very often on those deep balls, the WR seems to be running mostly free, but the WR adjustments on the more contested throws seem to be giving them an advantage. Most of those are not just go's, they're routes that get the WR turning parallel to the LOS on the throw (ins/outs) so they can look.
Cheezehead72
December 09, 2025 at 08:17 am
The point I was making is that the statement in the article was that it was a perfectly thrown ball. It was not perfect. It was a good ball and it was good enough. A perfect pass would have been out in front of him. And yes long passes have less chance of being perfect.
My comment was more about the words used not the pass.
Coldworld
December 09, 2025 at 08:33 am
The pass was not perfect and Love said so after the game, however, it was in a place only Melton could get it. What it did force him to do was slow down. However, Melton used his body to wall off the defender while maintaining as much momentum as possible and still reached the end zone effectively untouched.
A heads up play by Melton, and good recognition by Love. While the pass wasn’t absolutely perfect, if anyone is complaining about that degree of imperfection, then they are either barking up the wrong tree or we are a mere sliver away from true perfection.
Bitternotsour
December 09, 2025 at 09:30 am
Yes, that lack of perfection should have had points deducted from the score. Perhaps it should have been a 4.5 or 5 rather than a six-point touchdown. Also, the quality of the celebration was somewhat substandard, he was late to dance, I'm not quite sure if he should see the field again if he's going to derail my entertainment. What do the coaches teach these guys.
SicSemperTyrannis
December 09, 2025 at 08:05 pm
That TD pass to Bo Melton was mostly late; JL10 just isn't used to that much speed. Wait until he gets #0 9 & 11 on the field enough to hit them at top speed and in stride consistently! That's how they bring titles back to Titletown 😎
GPG!!
T7Steve
December 09, 2025 at 06:45 am
"Pounce early and never let up"
Pounce early, often and never let up. Win the turnover battle.
Turnovers and hibernation are the way the Bears have survived. The Packers gave them one turnover (which became inconsequential) that made them rest easy and think they had it. Then they went into hibernation and had to come face to face with a real offense and defense which exposed them for what they are.
DoubleJ
December 09, 2025 at 07:33 am
In this last game if the Packers get at least a FG on their first drive in the second half this game looks a lot different. If the Packers get a TD I bet the Packers win by 21 as the Bears couldn't rely on running the ball then being down 21-3.
Ihappydirt
December 09, 2025 at 03:32 pm
PI on Doubs gets called, very likely GB gets a score there.
Leatherhead
December 09, 2025 at 05:39 pm
It always comes down to putting enough points on the board that the opponent has to play catchup. It limits what they do offensively.
SicSemperTyrannis
December 09, 2025 at 08:09 pm
If refs weren't blind it would've been a blowout.
LambeauPlain
December 09, 2025 at 07:36 am
Steve, I felt that turnover was very consequential because the Packers were moving the chains and had 3 first downs to the bares 38 before the pick. It looked like a scoring drive for likely FG and maybe a TD.
The game and conversations would be very different if the Packers had won by two scores, maybe two TDs.
T7Steve
December 09, 2025 at 07:44 am
The turnover BECAME inconsequential for the Bears. It was fool gold for them after they could only get a field goal.
I grant you that it was very consequential for the Packers at that point of the game, but they've had much more consequential turnovers in the past and even this season (I'm thinking Dalas).
LambeauPlain
December 09, 2025 at 07:51 am
Understand. For me Defense forcing the bares to punt after the pick made the lost opportunity INT even more frustrating in the first quarter.
dobber
December 09, 2025 at 07:56 am
Agreed. I'd contend that it was the sack prior to the pick that was the real issue. Without that sack--even if Love just throws it away--it's third and manageable on the edge of FG range which is in the Packers' wheelhouse.
NickPerry
December 09, 2025 at 07:14 am
"It wasn’t just underthrown, it was awful. And since the Bears were staring at fourth-and-1 at the Packers 14, running the ball between the tackles would’ve made more sense."
Except Ben Johnson was SCARED to try and run the ball again. His RB got SMASHED on 3rd and one for no gain by Kingsley Enagbare. They did exactly what the Packers thought they'd do. They did what the tried against the Eagles and Nixon made a play. Sorry Ben, NO go!
Take your shirt off for that Ben!
Cheezehead72
December 09, 2025 at 07:20 am
The moral of the story is always go with your strength. As a coach you need to make them stop your strength.
egbertsouse
December 09, 2025 at 07:27 am
Instead The boy genius decided to win the game with his own superior intellect.
dobber
December 09, 2025 at 08:05 am
It was a good call, but the Packers MOSTLY defended it well. If Khan's (get it? Superior intellect? One for the Trekkies) scattershot QB leads the TE just a little more to the back corner or puts just a little more air under that ball, we might be looking at a very different outcome.
LambeauPlain
December 09, 2025 at 08:08 am
"He tasks me!"
dobber
December 09, 2025 at 08:19 am
Boom!
Coldworld
December 09, 2025 at 11:02 am
Perfect encapsulation Dobber:
“I've done far worse than kill you. I've hurt you. And I wish to go on hurting you” Bears.
dobber
December 10, 2025 at 11:54 am
Double boom!
DoubleJ
December 09, 2025 at 07:36 am
Hafley had the perfect call for the play. Had Evan Williams stayed on Kmet that would have meant that Nixon would have covered up Moore. That means no one would have been open and Caleb wasn't getting the first down running either. The Packers did get lucky though as Williams made a huge mistake and Nixon was able to cover for him.
T7Steve
December 09, 2025 at 07:48 am
The main thing that happened (in my weak opinion), and they need to do this moving forward, is that they made him roll out to his left. Keep #1 rushing from Williams' right. Might be a good thing for Bo too.
DoubleJ
December 09, 2025 at 07:51 am
I think Hafley has a good idea of what he wants to do already for the next game against the Bears. I wouldn't be surprised if the Packers win by 14 in week 16.
dobber
December 09, 2025 at 08:50 am
"I think Hafley has a good idea of what he wants to do already for the next game against the Bears. "
Very likely.
I think that the "Superior Intellect" does, also.
'Twill be interesting.
dobber
December 09, 2025 at 08:11 am
"is that they made him roll out to his left."
That was a designed rollout to the left, so if you're saying that the Packers' overplaying the right side led Khan to call that play to be oversmart, that's possible . The blocking and the routes run clearly showed that play was going left from the start, though, it wasn't Williams escaping pressure left. I just think the Packers watched film of the Bears and were mostly ready for it.
T7Steve
December 09, 2025 at 08:16 am
K.
Coldworld
December 09, 2025 at 08:41 am
Yes, they have used that before to win games and apparently will do again per their coach.
I think the idea is in part that he so rarely goes left that it fools a D. The intended target was Swift apparently, but he was covered (not sure by whom). That extended the play and made the TE the obvious target.
Nixon read that, based on pro film perhaps, but also knowing it was an easy throw and that his man, Moore, would be obstructed by bodies due to his route, as indeed he was until the throw.
Bitternotsour
December 09, 2025 at 09:38 am
I think the first option was for him to run. That broke down and he was fucked. Williams has wheels, and a pretty decent arm but he's just not savvy. He panicked. They are what I thought they were.
Coldworld
December 09, 2025 at 11:16 am
A good coach beaten can change his spots rapidly. An athlete with very clear and consistent instincts can not. That means there’s only so much Johnson can do do with Williams. As a result, Hafley is in an excellent position to adjust to frustrate those traits.
"I have studied the enemy … all pointing to preparation, insight, and predicting moves. Patton. Here we now know first hand what the Bears can do and how they are forced to do it. "If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles" Sun Tzu.
Because I trust Hafley’s football mind, I am looking forward to the rematch. We have a huge opportunity to expose an opponent for what they really are, now we’ve seen their constraints first hand.
murf7777
December 09, 2025 at 10:47 am
Who would’ve had swift?
Coldworld
December 09, 2025 at 10:54 am
I think the Bears got lucky on that previous TD. It looked great when it somehow got through Nixon’s hands, but we all know that was a desperation gamble. 9 times in 10 Nixon deflects it, maybe half the time he intercepts it. That’s football. Favre won us a lot of games that way and lost others. Rodgers lost some because he wouldn’t try it. Still lucky that it completed though.
hodge555
December 09, 2025 at 11:29 am
Williams was supposed to take Kmet and he bit on the run option. Nixon was 1on1 with Moore but saw Kmet heading for the endzone and changed to cover him instead.
Caleb probably saw Nixon tracking Moore and thought Kmet would be wide open hence he just lobbed it up for him, only to see Nixon there (where wasn't supposed to be) picking it off. Total heads up play from Nixon.
Brewcity_BearsFan
December 09, 2025 at 09:54 am
It wasn't a bad play call though, Williams simply failed to execute. He was late and under threw. He had Kmet wide open, the second he started to his left.
He simply has to make that throw.
Coldworld
December 09, 2025 at 10:58 am
Kmet had to reach the catch point behind traffic. By the time he did, Nixon almost over jumped that catch. It would have taken a great touch lob to prevent deflection which is all one needs on a 4th down. It’s arguable that his window had closed by that point. Nixon left Moore who came out of traffic, but any longer delay and the onrushing defender would be right in his face in that lane.
Bitternotsour
December 09, 2025 at 11:24 am
look at Williams feet on that, he was off platform, falling back and on the wrong foot. he was always doomed.
dobber
December 10, 2025 at 12:00 pm
I agree with you, here.
Kmet was there, even late, if he gets more air under the throw or just leads a little more to the corner of the end zone. Williams just dogged the throw this time.
Guam
December 09, 2025 at 07:20 am
Beating the Bears was fun, but it is time to move on. The Packers next play one of the best teams in the league (11-2 Denver at Denver) while the Bears play one of the worst teams in the league (3-10 Cleveland at Chicago). The Packers could be back in second place in the NFCN next Monday if they don't bring their A+ game to Denver. Put all the Bears talk in hibernation for a week and focus on the Broncos.
T7Steve
December 09, 2025 at 07:36 am
The Packers better be thinking only about the Broncos.
We can talk about anything, and I don't think it will cause a distraction. HA!
Denver has allot of wins similar to the Bears, but they're based on great defense not superior intellect of the head coach.
LambeauPlain
December 09, 2025 at 08:04 am
"...they're based on great defense..."
And the Broncos "pass defense" coordinator is Jim Leonard. He and DC Vance Joseph have built a disciplined hard hitting defense.
Also the Broncos ST coach is Darren Rizzi. Rizzi is one of the best ST coaches in the NFL. LaFleur tried to hire him in 2019. They hit it off. But Rizzi's salary demands were too high for Acting GM Murphy who initially blocked LaFleur. After a few days of persuasion, Murphy said "ok, make him the offer". Rizzi, by then said "No thanks. Have moved on to the Saints." He then followed Payton to Denver.
Rizzi's loss precluded LaFleur's fallback to Mennenga. About as bad as second choice as Joe Barry, after Jim Leonard declined the Packers DC job.
dobber
December 09, 2025 at 08:18 am
"Denver has allot of wins similar to the Bears, but they're based on great defense not superior intellect of the head coach."
Sean Payton has done a really good job with that team picking up the pieces after the lack of draft picks and cap due to the Russell Wilson fiasco. Bo Nix was the most pro-ready QB in his class and he's played well. He doesn't make many mistakes with the football and Payton knows that the quality of his defense means they can run the ball and he doesn't have to ask Nix to do too much or push the ball downfield. I'm expecting a low-scoring game.
Coldworld
December 09, 2025 at 08:56 am
Our offense is better than theirs and improving. Is it better than their defense though? This one will be a much more interesting offensive challenge for LaFleur. We are unlikely to be able to run to victory in this one. We may have to take on a goid secondary to get the run into play. We are going to need to scheme opportunities.
I think we can take away their run game (their RB Harvey, is very like Lloyd was expected to be). He’s mostly more swift/Gibbs than Monaghai. Passing wise they get it out fast most of the time and then go for the occasional big play. It’s going to be hard to get sacks because of that. It’s how a lot of teams have played us till recently (inability). Nix has been thrown completely off kilter by serious contact in the past and they go out of their way to avoid it.
Cortland Sutton is their primary weapon at WR and on target for 1000 yards. Franklin the Rookie is also looking good and not to be overlooked. He runs a 4.4 and has some height. He’s rail thin though. Valentine would be a logical man to take him and have the physical advantage for once!
dobber
December 09, 2025 at 09:28 am
They don't really push the ball downfield and Nix struggles more against zone than man, so I'm expecting the Packers to play a lot of zone and keep the play in front of them...kinda like they did against Chicago.
Coldworld
December 09, 2025 at 10:06 am
They dink and dunk to get the ball out fast, but they do take long shots to Sutton and Franklin. Nix has completed passes of 30 yards or more in all but 4 games this year. That’s only one less than Love. That his average per attempt is so much lower tells us a lot about their standard passing game: very short.
They pass short a lot and use the run to try and extend drives as opposed to leaning on it to set up the pass. They pass a lot to Engram TE, WR Mimms and the running back Harvey in between longer throws to their two main targets, who both average over 10 yards a reception.
Bitternotsour
December 09, 2025 at 11:31 am
That offense is the same one Brees ran. Payton is smart, they control the game with short passes and Nix doesn't make many mistakes. He's also a threat to run and is surprisingly athletic.
He should have been the Bears quarterback, but I guess you could say the same thing about Drake Mayes. Shoulda shoulda shoulda. Typical Bears.
Ihappydirt
December 09, 2025 at 04:24 pm
Shoulda, coulda, woulda ...
Mayes or Daniels seemed better to me than Williams. I also liked Nix a lot, but it would have been dunked on a lot if Chi had taken him #1 overall.
dobber
December 10, 2025 at 12:03 pm
I think the mental make up of Mayes and Nix are better than Williams.
Ihappydirt
December 10, 2025 at 01:38 pm
Totally. That's why I wouldn't have picked Williams.
HarryHodag
December 09, 2025 at 09:03 am
Amen, brother. The Packers didn't win the Super Bowl Sunday and they won't get there unless the beat a really good(and well coached) Broncos team this coming Sunday.
Leatherhead
December 09, 2025 at 10:10 am
We really haven't won anything. We haven't won the division, and we're not guaranteed a playoff spot. Like I've said, we could go 2-2 the rest of the way, finish 11-5-1, and miss the playoffs. I don't think that's going to happen, but it's a possibility.
murf7777
December 09, 2025 at 10:48 am
Just let’s savior this for awhile longer….:)
Guam
December 09, 2025 at 11:46 am
Savior away murf!
stockholder
December 09, 2025 at 07:41 am
Cory my feeling is your creating a lot of
"hoopla over Jordan Love" .
The Exaggerated promotion or hype
isn't needed.
He has dramatically improved.
And credit LaFleur and Tom Clements.
But to be great; "it will take a Super-Bowl win".
So the public debate for MVP.
And the significant media attention.
Will only put more pressure on Love.
His Peak/ceiling will go up and down.
But the only thing that is important;
is how his teammates rally around him.
And beating the Broncos first.
Coldworld
December 09, 2025 at 10:13 am
Love is starting to look a lot like late 2023 Love when LaFleur loosened the reins. Rather than being transformed, he’s simply being unleashed again.
murf7777
December 09, 2025 at 10:54 am
Yes, but let’s keep in mind some of the reason last year was due to injuries
Coldworld
December 09, 2025 at 11:04 am
Undoubtedly it was for a good part of last year.
LambeauPlain
December 09, 2025 at 07:46 am
"The Bears are built to be a 1972 Chevy pickup with rust on each side."
More like a Dodge Ram with a Hemi Engine otherwise known as an OL. That engine is the source of their power.
T7Steve
December 09, 2025 at 07:50 am
They left the parking brake on.
Bitternotsour
December 09, 2025 at 09:43 am
and ran out of gas
murf7777
December 09, 2025 at 07:49 am
“The Bears ran the ball down Green Bay’s throat in the second half by tallying 90 yards on the ground after getting 48 in the first half.”
That is very concerning and I suspect that is why they picked up 700lbs of beef last week. They have two weeks to get one or both ready for a battle in the Windy City. The coaching staff obviously feel Stackhouse isn’t ready for prime time. Good to see them being pro-active in trying to fulfill a need on the DL.
T7Steve
December 09, 2025 at 07:52 am
"tallying 90 yards on the ground"
While they were doing that, they didn't get any big chunk plays and couldn't score enough times.
murf7777
December 09, 2025 at 08:17 am
While that is true , they scored 3 straight times and almost a 4th, that’s not a winning formula for the Packers. They had a chance to blow them out, but let them run the ball down their throat in the 2nd half. I’m not complaining, we got the win and all games aren’t perfect, but we need to figure out how to stop teams from controlling the clock because it takes too many opportunities away from our offense.
T7Steve
December 09, 2025 at 08:31 am
Yes, another 3 and out or two like in the first half was what the doctor ordered. It was very frustrating watching that.
Coldworld
December 09, 2025 at 10:50 am
They didn’t get chunk plays, but they got enough, despite their defense, to get within one play of a 2 point try to win it. Thats from being 2 scores down to start the half. We let the Bears play the second half exactly as they intended to play the whole game.
The main reason was giving them a chance to grind the D down. That’s partly on the D initially, but set up by two rather confused looking offensive 3 and outs where we stopped the run up the middle and pass mix that had been working. Perhaps that last first half drive went to LaFleur’s head, I don’t know.
Then we go and score in a minute. That’s great, but the Bears D being that bad actually played to their offenses strength because we just took the quick kill. The Bears could then grind out the rest of the time and gamble on a 2pointer, which mimics their MO over the season. Sometimes one has to think strategically.
I think the officials still needed to help and us not adjusting coverage on Williams runs to the right, but the Bears, despite having no outside run game, made that close due to us handing them the keys from the sidelines. Fortunately Williams reverted to his mean and blew it.
dobber
December 09, 2025 at 08:48 am
The way they managed the clock on that last drive, even though they were moving the ball pretty effectively until the field was compressed, you can bet that on a TD the Bears were going for 2 and trying to win the game outright.
I've become pretty peeved with refs and how they call forward progress. There was a time when a runner's progress was deemed stopped and they'd blow the whistle. Now it seems that refs stand around if a runner gets stood up and wait to blow the whistle to see IF a rugby scrum develops and what happens next.
GregC
December 09, 2025 at 09:36 am
It's going to take an injury to change that. Same with the tush push and other plays where teammates push the ball carrier ahead. I think it's ugly to watch and allows offenses to gain a lot of cheap yardage. Although of course, as long as it's legal, the Packers need to be doing it more. The Tucker Kraft tush push worked the few times they ran it. I don't want to see a Luke Musgrave tush push though.
LambeauPlain
December 09, 2025 at 09:42 am
Stackhouse may develop into a force at nose...but he's really slow off the ball. Most times he is the last one on the DL to move at the snap and gives the O lineman a tick of an advantage to lock into him.
Has he improved during the season? Have not seen many flashes to date. Many players take a jump between the rookie and sophomore seasons so keep him as a project given his size and strength.
But as I recall, even Slaton flashed as a rookie.
Coldworld
December 09, 2025 at 07:34 pm
Slaton flashed as a penetrator. He was awful as a run player as a rookie. Slaton actually had great explosion coming in. Barry seemed to beat that out of him over time. It was Stackhouse who stopped the Vikings from scoring a TD just before the drive where the game flopped on their muff of our punt.
Coldworld
December 09, 2025 at 08:01 am
The Packers won because the Bears aren’t very good. Their run game is, but not as good as they think. However, we have been taking away outside the tackle runners all year.
So why was it close? Leave aside the play calling to start the second half and the officiating. The real reason is twofold. Our refusal to understand that you can’t play physical, determined running backs with 4 interior linemen, especially when the starters weigh about 300 pounds. Even more so if you are going to score offensively in 60 second drives. In one sense, how bad the Bears D really is actually bit us because we omitted to take the effect on our D into account.
Our first choice DL are lighter than the opposing OL men. We rely on quickness and agility. That’s a tactical pitfall we’ve yet to face against a team that has succeeded this year by largely grinding down offenses (Gute appears to be trying now). Their passing attack is play action one play in 5 and unplanned roll outs probably 3 of the 4 other non run downs. Almost 90% of those are to the right. Our DEs ran themselves ragged chasing Williams laterally.
We held him to 15 yards on the ground. However, we made no backfield adjustments whatsoever, even though Williams taking off closed 2/3 of the field and all subsequent throws went up the sideline. Add coverage there and this game would have been over much earlier.
It’s the first time Hafley has seen Williams in this offense. I have confidence that we will change our approach to the IDL and to backfield coverage for next time.
Having a DL that can’t be driven back so frequently after contact, adding extra legs up front and taking away the throw up his right sideline even 50% of the time. and there’s not much left for the Bears offensively. That D isn’t carrying them anywhere. Nor will Williams from the pocket for long.
They are a three trick pony offensively. One of which, the outside the tackle run we neutered completely. The other 2 can be neutered as well. Don’t buy the hype, rewatch the game.
murf7777
December 09, 2025 at 08:23 am
You described the game perfectly. Hopefully one or both of the recent NT pickups will help from them pushing our DL back. I also wonder if Hafley figures out a scheme that keeps Williams from running to his right. Make him go left if he leaves the pocket.
Coldworld
December 09, 2025 at 11:28 am
You could have a spy, perhaps Hopper or Oladapo, whose job is to watch and crash down towards the left sideline if he sees Williams head right. That would At worst pin him between that player and the DE and hurry his throw. That takes away a man in coverage, of course. But a handoff would allow that player to help the run support. Personally, I’d simply shift a safety into the intermediate right to help out the corner cover. Dare him to throw back across his chest. That might make McKinney happy.
dobber
December 09, 2025 at 08:35 am
"Our refusal to understand that you can’t play physical, determined running backs with 4 interior linemen, especially when the starters weigh about 300 pounds"
We talked about this all last week, too, so why we saw it and the Packers didn't is beyond me. The right side of the Bears' line in particular is pretty big and they like to play both of their TEs who are pretty good blockers. The right side of that OL generated movement off the snap against Philly (geez, what's wrong with them?) pretty regularly the week before and many of those second half runs on Sunday were to the right. Still, the Packers shut down the Bears' run game in the first half, which likely led them to be on their heels, but playing with a lead and defending pass first, in the second half.
"Almost 90% of those are to the right. Our DEs ran themselves ragged chasing Williams laterally."
Against just about any other QB, the Packers have 5 or maybe more sacks on Sunday and this game probably becomes more lopsided.
Bottom line is that the Bears are a heavily right-handed offense. Now that they've seen how their personnel align, the Packers need to adjust for that.
"It’s the first time Hafley has seen Williams in this offense. I have confidence that we will change our approach to the IDL and to backfield coverage for next time."
I'm hoping you're right. My guess is that Khan starts where they left off on Sunday when the rematch comes in two weeks, and that he'll add some wrinkles off that.
Bitternotsour
December 09, 2025 at 09:52 am
speed vs bulk. speed kept them from getting wide, which is what they WANT to do. You can't take everything away.
the packers are the superior team. better quarterback, better defense, better quality across the board. next time, the bears will turn it over more often. williams has a ton of skills, but he's not...bright.
that game wasn't as close as the score suggested. the bears aren't making the playoffs.
Leatherhead
December 09, 2025 at 10:12 am
We just held one of the best rushing teams in the league to 21 points.
Stuffing the run is not nearly as important as some people want to believe, and it certainly isn't as important as defending the pass. 7> 5.
mjbrogno
December 09, 2025 at 08:28 am
Playing D first was huge, especially, after the Bears went three and out. Our first two drives in the second half were both three and out. But, we rose to the occasion and made the most critical drive of the season so far by going the distance to score our last TD. The D was totally gassed and the O stepped up big time. That drive has set the tone for our Super Bowl run.
LeotisHarris
December 09, 2025 at 08:40 am
Even though you expect to be hit by non sequiturs in The Corner, packing a healthy lunch will never win the day.
pantz_bURp
December 09, 2025 at 08:41 am
"It’s like the Packers offense is a mouth-watering lasagne"
Which got me to thinking...., why do smart folk lean forward when eating their mouth-watering lasagna?
That way, you get less-on-ya.
Sweaty hugs,
Pantz, with a sidewayz glanz
HarryHodag
December 09, 2025 at 09:08 am
The MVP talk always seems to center on quarterbacks, but I would say Micah Parsons is the Packers MVP to date and should be in consideration league-wide.
Would the Packers be anywhere near as good without him? He has made an ok defense into a real contender. It could be argued the Packers could win with Willis at QB, but I don't think there would be as many wins if Parsons left the defense. He is Reggie White reincarnated.
GregC
December 09, 2025 at 09:43 am
I've been thinking about Reggie White too. Parsons may be on that level. That's something I never thought I'd say about anyone. I'm even beginning to wonder if Parsons tilts the field more than Reggie did. He doesn't have as much sheer power as Reggie, but he is much faster, which nowadays is a more important quality for an edge player. You could say that both Reggie and Micah were/are perfectly suited for their eras.
LambeauPlain
December 09, 2025 at 01:03 pm
Reggie had Jones, Dotson, Brown making plays too. Now that was a good front 4!
Micah could use, after the loss of Wyatt, talent like Shawn, Santana, and Gilbert. Priority for next year.
lou
December 09, 2025 at 09:52 am
In the Bears rematch we will get a chance to see how Hafley can adjust to Williams and I am looking forward to seeing how he responds. Letting him sprint to his right time and time again has to be countered in the rematch, that was the difference in the second half. He throws on the run better than in the pocket ala Fran Tarkenton. Tarkenton used to drive the Packers crazy until they came up with a scheme to make him throw out of the pocket and he couldn't hit the side of the barn with a hand full of sand but like Williams if he sprinted and dodged he was on target.
murf7777
December 09, 2025 at 10:56 am
I agree they need to stop From running to his right, but to say, he’s a really good passer on the run goes against his year-long stats, which show as one of the worst. Unfortunately, he just had a very good game against us.
Ihappydirt
December 09, 2025 at 04:46 pm
He's very sporadic. He has some passes that are unbelievable each game and then several way off target, to the tune of 58% completion.
On the one-yard TD there was only a 17% chance of completion, the lowest pass completed of his career. A Nixon deflection woold have created valuable breathing room.
SwedeBayPacker
December 09, 2025 at 09:54 am
It's always fun to see the offense ball out and put up points in a couple of minutes, but not when the defense is gassed after having to be on the field for seven minutes. MLF needs to help the D out like on the Packers last scoring drive.
GregC
December 09, 2025 at 10:17 am
Okay, so if the Bears call an all-out blitz, leaving Christian Watson wide open with a clear path to the end zone, Jordan Love should avoid throwing the ball to Watson?
Leatherhead
December 10, 2025 at 06:53 pm
I understand the sentiment here, and the notion of "Wefense" and using the offense to help out the defense. I think there's value in having rested guys on defense when the 4th quarter starts.
Nothing supersedes points, though. Score a TD and the defense will have to cope.
GregC
December 09, 2025 at 10:05 am
I don't think it's fair to reduce this victory to a bad playcall by Ben Johnson. As Nick Perry mentioned above, the Bears had been stuffed on 3rd and 1 on the previous play. It was far from certain that they were going to pick up that yard by running up the middle again. Time was also becoming a bit of an issue, especially for an offense that had been moving forward at a snail's pace all day.
Rolling out Caleb Williams gave them three possible means to pick up the first down: 1. Their fast, slippery QB keeps it (and runs out of bounds to kill the clock); 2. He throws short to D'Andre Swift, which also probably results in a first down with the clock stopped for being out of bounds; or 3. He throws into the end zone for the TD. It's a tremendous credit to the Packers for smothering this unexpected play, and Keisean Nixon in particular for peeling off the man he was guarding in order to defend the player in the end zone. Yes, it was an even better play by him than most people realize.
Look on YouTube for a view of this play from the end zone. It is truly inspiring to watch the Packer defenders follow Caleb Williams and D'Andre Swift, forcing Williams into option #3, which was the most difficult option. The defenders were Edgerrin Cooper, Evan Williams, Quay Walker, and one other, I think maybe Kingsley Enagbare.
There was an article here yesterday about redemption. Someone who was not mentioned was Jeff Hafley, who redeemed himself for the stinky defensive call that allowed the Bears to get into field goal range at the end of that last game against the Bears.
Packers0808
December 09, 2025 at 10:17 am
I wish if his foot is right the Packers would bring in Wilkins for a look see. He could possibly be a great help int the last month on the DL and a cheap rental. And if he behaves in the locker room could be a good piece in the future. I know lots here don't think much of him but the way the Bears did what they did 2nd half this might be needed way to help!
stockholder
December 09, 2025 at 10:41 am
I agree-
Gute went after Gary.
And I'm wondering if Wilkins didn't want to play in GB.
So maybe that has something to do with it.
Coldworld
December 09, 2025 at 11:31 am
It’s not right.
LeotisHarris
December 09, 2025 at 03:02 pm
So, it's his left?
Leatherhead
December 10, 2025 at 06:37 pm
I think we won because we protected the ball and got guys blocked. We also didn't just let them throw it over our heads for easy points, we didn't pick up a lot of penalty yardage, we didn't make too many mistakes. We didn't have many sacks, or incompletes.
The interior line blocking is good. Rhyan has played well at Center, Banks practices and plays regularly now, and Belton looks like a keeper.