The road to the Super Bowl in the NFC will run through one of the toughest places to play in the NFL: The Frozen Tundra. The Green Bay Packers (13-3, 5-1 NFC North) clinched the number one seed in the NFC and a first-round bye with a 35-16 win over the Chicago Bears (8-8, 2-4 NFC North) Sunday.

In the 202^nd matchup between these two teams, Chicago took the field first and things got weird right from the start. Packers kicker Mason Crosby fired the ball out of bounds on the kickoff and the Bears got great field position as a result of it. Green Bay challenged the out of bounds call but ultimately lost the challenge and a timeout with it.

Then, the Bears took their sweet time navigating the little field they had to work with. On a drive that lasted over seven minutes and consisted of fourteen plays, including a successful fourth down attempt, running back David Montgomery rushed for a 2-yard touchdown and a 7-0 Bears lead.

Despite relaxing on the sideline for nearly half of the first quarter, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his offense came out firing with a lengthy seven and half minute drive of their own. After first downs from wide receiver Marques Valdez-Scantling, a pair of first downs from running back Aaron Jones and a defensive pass interference call as a result of wide receiver Davante Adams getting held on 4^th and 3, Rodgers connected with tight end Robert Tonyan for a 3 yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.

After a shaky opening drive, Green Bay’s defense seemed to settle down on Chicago’s next possession. Linebacker Christian Kirksey applied great pressure and forced what would ultimately be the lone sack of the day for Green Bay. On the next play, cornerback Kevin King broke up a pass play and forced Chicago to punt.

The Packers effort was sadly short lived; returner Tavon Austin fumbled the punt return and the Bears recovered it. Luckily, the d-train was able to hold Chicago to just three after their 30-yard field goal attempt was good to cut Green Bay’s lead to 10-7.

When the offense finally got back on the field, they didn’t disappoint either. When it looked like they were starting to get out of rhythm, Rodgers connected with MVS on 3^rd and 4 for a 72-yard touchdown and a 14-10 lead. According to the FOX Broadcast, with that touchdown pass, Rodgers set his own single season record for touchdown passes in a season with 46 (he would finish the game with 48).

After holding the Bears to just a field goal on their last possession, the Packers defense continued to make big plays when they needed to. Star cornerback Jaire Alexander forced a fumble and linebacker Rashan Gary was there to recover it. The officials reviewed the play and after further evaluation confirmed it was a fumble and the Packers recovered it.    

As a result, Green Bay took advantage. On 2^nd and goal, Rodgers connected with wide receiver  Dominique Dafney (that’s right!) for 13 yards and the score to put the Packers up 21-10.  

To close an exciting first half, the Bears had one more chance to get six in the first half but were ultimately forced to settle for another field goal after King dropped an interception in the endzone. Chicago’s 27-yard field goal attempt was good, and the Packers had a 21-13 lead heading into the half.

At the start of the second half, Rodgers sailed what would have been a touchdown pass to MVS, but unfortunately, he bobbled the ball and dropped it. On the next play, Rodgers was sacked for the first time and the Packers were forced to punt.  

The dropped pass and sack seemed to shift the game’s momentum for a bit too. On the Bear’s next drive, quarterback Mitchell Trubisky connected with wide receiver Darnell Mooney off a 29-yard pass to get in scoring position. Luckily, Green Bay’s defense came up clutch again and stopped Chicago on third and goal and forced them to settle for another field goal to make it 21-16.  

However, things continued to look shaky for a bit on offense. Rodgers was almost picked on back-to-back plays and before you could blink the Packers were punting and the Bears had another chance to make this one interesting. After a lengthy drive that consisted of three fourth and one attempts for Chicago, Green Bay made the stop when they needed to on fourth down in the red zone after cornerback Chandon Sullivan broke up the play.

From there, the 2020 NFL MVP and his offense took control. Rodgers connected with Adams for back-to back first downs, which resulted in Adams break Sterling Sharpes’ franchise record for receptions in a season, then the Packers got first downs from wide receiver Allen Lazard, Jones and Lazard again before Jonsey himself rushed it in for a 4-yard touchdown and a 28-16 Packers lead.

And, after a spectacular season for Green Bay, former Chicago Bear Adrian Amos picked off Trubisky on the Bears’ next possession, pretty much sealing the deal for the Packers to win this one and secure the number one seed in the NFC.

To put the cherry on top, the Packers kept their foot on the gas and responded with a 6-yard touchdown pass to who else but Davante Adams to give us our final score of 35-16.

Chicago did have one more chance to get on the board Sunday evening, but they couldn’t get the garbage time touchdown they hoped for and Green Bay walked away with the massive win.

What we learned: The road to the Super Bowl will go through Lambeau

They did it. With their win over the Chicago Bears Sunday, the Green Bay Packers clinched the number one seed in the NFC, secured the first-round bye and will have home field advantage throughout their entire path to the Super Bowl.

Now, any team in the NFC that wants a shot at the NFL’s highest prize will have to survive a January showdown with the Packers at Lambeau Field, a place where Aaron Rodgers and this team have been historically great. Bring it.

What went right: O-Line

After losing left tackle David Bakhtiari to a season ending knee injury in practice last week, the Packers offensive line had a lot of pressure on them heading into this one. However, just as they have all season, they remained cool, calm and collected and put on a superb performance when it was needed the most. Rodgers was sacked just one time on Sunday and had great protection throughout much of the day. This offensive line has played well all year and they continued, even without the heart of their unit, to shine on Sunday.

What went wrong: Special Teams

Another week, another questionable performance for Green Bay’s special teams unit. To start things off, Crosby launched the kickoff out of bounds (which I know was questionable) and then the Austin fumble on the punt return could have been disastrous. Luckily things worked out just fine for the Packers but as I’ve said multiple times this season though, the Packers cannot afford to make these mistakes on special teams deep into the playoffs.   

Offensive MVP: Aaron Rodgers

Davante Adams summed it up best at his post-game media availability:

“MVP should be locked up."

Aaron Rodgers had another monster performance in the final week of regular season play, only continuing his MVP-caliber play. According to ESPN stats, Rodgers was 19/24 on the day and threw for 240 yards, 4 touchdowns and finished with a QB 147.9 passing rating.

Defensive MVPs: Krys Barnes and Adrian Amos

I continue to love what I see from linebacker Krys Barnes and he certainly had an impact performance on Sunday. Despite going down twice with injuries, Barnes continues to fight and finished the afternoon at the top of the defensive score sheet for Green Bay. According to ESPN stats, Barnes led the team in tackles with 14, 8 of which were solo, and 1 tackle for a loss.

Safety Adrian Amos continued to ball out in week seventeen as well. According to ESPN stats, Amos finished with 9 tackles, 7 of which were solo, 1 pass deflection and, of course, the late-game interception.

A look at some of your takeaways!

• “#1 seed, MVP, OPOY, DPOY...give us all the awards!!!  All roads go through Lambeau!!!” - @eric_olson7

• “We are very easily the best team in the NFC. D Train made splash plays when needed. Feeling great after another blowout win.” - @caseygopackgo

• “Just Football watching and no stress next week I love it.” - @321Lead

Up next, the Green Bay Packers enjoy a week off, while they wait and see who gives them a visit at Lambeau Field. Go Pack Go!