"Chips Report" for Week 17 Packers Win at Bears
Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson were two of the heroes in the Packers' 33-28 win over the Bears on Sunday.
Our weekly "Chips Report" always includes two blue chippers (outstanding, exceptional play), two red chippers (good, though maybe not great) and two cow chips (dud performances). From the Week 17 33-28 win over the Chicago Bears...
Blue Chips
- Wide receiver Randall Cobb––Making his first appearance since Week 6 when Cobb's fibula was broken against the Baltimore Ravens, the Packers were obviously trying to bring Cobb back slowly, not wanting to overwork him or give him any extra exposure to potential re-injury. But every play Cobb was on the field, he gave it his all. He only caught two passes on the day, but their impact can't be overstated, a seven-yard touchdown grab in the third quarter and then his 48-yard bomb from Aaron Rodgers to clinch the game and the NFC North division crown. Not be be overlooked was Cobb's tenacity in blocking that helped spring James Jones on more than one occasion.
- Wide receiver Jordy Nelson––In Rodgers' first game back since breaking his collarbone Week 9 against the Bears, Nelson became his quarterback's security blanket. Rodgers targeted Nelson 16 times on the afternoon, completing 10 of them for 161 yards, average of 16.1 yards per catch. Nelson bailed the Packers out on several occasions in converting first downs, none bigger than his fourth-down catch to keep the chains moving on Green Bay's game-winning drive.
Red Chips
- Running back James Starks––Fellowing running back Eddie Lacy carried the ball 21 times for the Packers, but he just wasn't at full strength, averaging 3.1 yards per carry. So the Packers leaned more on Starks than any time since Week 3. Starks was highly effective, gaining 88 yards on 11 carries (8.0 ypc). He also grabbed one pass for seven yards and helped set up several touchdowns with his performance.
- Cornerback/special teams ace Jarrett Bush––Just as he's done much of the season, Bush has made an understated impact on both defense and special teams, and Sunday's game at Chicago was no exception. He first saved the Packers in the second quarter by recovering a muffed punt by Micah Hyde that could have given the Bears possession in Green Bay territory. Bush later forced a fumble on Devin Hester on a kickoff, although the Packers didn't recover. Then to top things off, Bush broke up a third-down pass intended for Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery that forced the Bears to punt.
Cow Chips
- Defensive lineman B.J. Raji––Outside of one tackle, Raji's impact was nil and sometimes stood out for the wrong reasons, getting blown off the line of scrimmage by the Bears offensive line. He had almost no impact on either the running game or the passing game, as the Bears averaged 9.3 yards per pass and 5.0 yards per run.
- Linebacker Nick Perry––Perry hasn't been right since breaking a bone in his heel and then compounding matters by spraining his ankle, but for the second straight week, Perry made a critical error. Last week it was jumping offsides on a field goal that gave the Steelers a first down and eventual touchdown. This week, Perry looked out of sorts trying cover Matt Forte on a pass to the flat in the second half, then made a woeful attempt to tackle him in the open field.
Brian Carriveau is the author of the book "It's Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America," and editor of Cheesehead TV's "Pro Football Draft Preview." To contact Brian, email [email protected].
Comments (114)
December 29, 2013 at 07:27 pm
Perry will be fine.
Not sure what Raji's problem is.
December 29, 2013 at 07:31 pm
Too cocky....too fat.
December 29, 2013 at 07:55 pm
I'd like to hear one of the reporters ask him to self assess his performance this season.
December 29, 2013 at 08:25 pm
You mean playing out of position don't you? He is NOT a 34 DE and other than that he plays DT on 2 man DL fronts on not so obvious passing downs. Kinda hard to stop the run w/ 2 DL don't you thing?!! Hard to blame the guy when he's being FORCED to play out of position and on downs where there's only 2 DL and its not an obvious passing down. That's where Raji gets his playing time and he's being put into an unwinnable position!
I'm not saying he's playing great by any means but do you remember how well he played in the SB season? He hasn't played NT on a regular basis since! How is that all his fault?!
December 29, 2013 at 08:59 pm
True.
December 30, 2013 at 05:09 am
Out of position. ? What position has he EARNED beside the bench. Dallas and Chicago have had to start guys that were out of football and they have more heart than 90. Jay Ratliff is out playing Raji 5 to 1, another first round bust. Perry has great potential, AS A 4-3 DE. Datone 4-3 DE, Neal 4-3 DE, Daniels[guy plays with PASSION by the way] 4-3 DT, Worthy 4-3 DT, Jolley 4-3 DT.
Best available talent still has to fit your scheme Ted. And yes LTs are the best athletes in college football, but NFL OL aren't athletes they are freaks of nature. I would trade the four starters, except Sitton[college RT BTW] for Frank Winters in his prime!
TT passes on Rodgers and this franchise is a disaster.
December 30, 2013 at 07:53 am
Agreed, personnell fit a 4-3 scheme.
Then again, we run a 2-5, so who's to say what personnell we need?
December 29, 2013 at 07:50 pm
He's too fat. Raji is.
December 29, 2013 at 08:26 pm
He's not a 34 DE, he's a 34 NT! And he's being forced to play out of position.
December 29, 2013 at 10:23 pm
Capers spends most of his time in Nickel so it is irrelevant. In passing situations he's either in a shade, 2i, or 3. In a 3 he gets 1 on 1 matchups and he isn't winning. In a 2i or shade he will most likely get a double from the Center and Guard if it is a 4 man rush so not much of a push. I'm more concerned with his ability to run the heel line on run. He's been woefully inadequate and it doesn't make one bit of difference if he's a zero, shade, or 5 Tech DE. All have to pursue down the heel line on run action away and he is very very poor at doing it.
December 30, 2013 at 07:55 am
Would you say his problem is his skill set or effort level?
December 30, 2013 at 07:05 pm
Thank you Paul Ott Carruth for shutting up the homers that know nothing about football. This site has become over-run by homers. Please keep commenting more. I know your intent isn't to shut the homers up, but rather to educate. Thanks again!
December 30, 2013 at 07:10 pm
Show us the homers here defending Raji's play? That's the just of POC's post, acknowledging we're rarely in base, and Raji has regressed at every technique. Where are all these homers you keep attempting to prop up and straw man the integrity of everybody here?
December 29, 2013 at 07:31 pm
I'm savoring this one for a while. God I love Aaron. What a roller coaster year. When we win this next one it will be just gravy.
December 29, 2013 at 07:43 pm
Gravy eh? You been watching football this year? 12 don't play D. We've absolutely got a chance, but it won't be gravy.
December 29, 2013 at 09:14 pm
Gravy doesn't mean easy, it means cherry on top...
December 29, 2013 at 09:46 pm
Win or not next week the Packers are division champs, again, and beat their oldest rival on the last week of the season. Given everything they endured this year, that is a memorable and significant accomplishment. I for one will not be shocked by several more wins.
December 29, 2013 at 07:31 pm
Shields and Williams and Hyde..nice work. Kuhn! OLine..MM on last drive.
December 29, 2013 at 07:51 pm
Kuhn had some really nice blocks. He's really good at reading where the pressure is coming from and stonewalling the rusher.
December 29, 2013 at 08:28 pm
But if we listened to the minions (maybe including you?) he wouldn't have been on the roster this year!
December 29, 2013 at 08:45 pm
Stroh,
I wanted him gone LAST year. I owned up to it as I was watching the replay of him taking out Peppers on the final TD.
December 29, 2013 at 09:19 pm
And I said last year, and this, that Kuhn was too reliable to cut. Even given his salary and that he doesn't touch the ball on offense much. He brings a lot to the team that goes mostly unnoticed by fans.
December 29, 2013 at 09:00 pm
Kuhn's not doing anything that no one else could do.
December 29, 2013 at 09:32 pm
Agreed. Simple cut block. Anybody put in that position needs to make that block. Rodgers pocket presence made that play. The.cut block merely slowed Pep didnt derail his rush as.Stroh would lead you to believe. Flynn gets sacked even with the average block by Kuhn, Rodgers 6th sense was the only thing that.saved it.
December 29, 2013 at 09:02 pm
ouch... Stretch, You are right. But in fairness..I was pro Starks... And after Detroit I said you can't have the most memorable / greatest season ever without ashes.
December 29, 2013 at 07:38 pm
Yeah, I agree with all the Chips.
How big is getting Cobb back. Everyone wants to talk about Rodgers, but Cobb we have truly missed. 2 catches 2 TD's.
December 29, 2013 at 08:30 pm
Both on busted coverages. Most WR would have made the plays he did. Kuhn and Rodgers deserve FAR more credit on the Winning TD play. Blown coverage allowed Cobb to beat a 3 deep look, which should never have happened.
December 29, 2013 at 08:37 pm
I'll give you the 2nd one as a busted coverage. it clearly was.
The 1st one though. I really didn't think it was a busted coverage. Cobb just made a great move on the DB.
Either way. Having him back is great. He has been missed for sure.
December 29, 2013 at 09:01 pm
At the very least Cobb's 1st TD was a play designed to go to a different receiver. He wasn't the first option, or 2nd I doubt. He got open after Rodgers extended the play IIRC. Have to see the full replay, but either way I think Cobb just made a move to get open after the play broke down.
December 29, 2013 at 09:50 pm
On that play, Nelson got leveled well pass the 5 yard rule. No flag. BS
Evan
December 29, 2013 at 09:52 pm
I saw that too on a replay. Just straight up tackled just past the first down.
December 29, 2013 at 07:46 pm
Cobb and Starks were awesome today. Our run defense is just so goddamn terrible, I'm scared for next week, but I just don't care. That throw to Cobb was so great.
MM would have been raked over the coals for his play calling today if they lost this game. MM should get a cow chip, again. ARod saved his ass.
December 29, 2013 at 08:00 pm
Yup, once again the Packers won despite Marty McCarthy and his bone-headed play calling. In the first half 3rd and 1 and you throw a goddamned pass against the worst run defense in the NFL ?????? That was just an example.
Oh yeah, FIRE SHAWN SLOCUMN NOW !
December 29, 2013 at 08:48 pm
Couldn't agree more! I don't want to be that fan; we should be celebrating a HUGE win, but I can't get that 3rd and 1 pass play out of my head. And WHYYYY do I see hardly anyone talking about MM's choice to kick the extra point to go 27-28 instead of going for two?!? I've done the math a hundred times, I don't see why.
December 29, 2013 at 09:00 pm
because there were over 11 min left
January 01, 2014 at 10:24 am
So what? What does that mean, "because there were over 11 min left"?! How does being down by 1 help us in any way? There was no difference between being down by 2. It almost came back to bite us in the ass.
December 29, 2013 at 09:08 pm
I thought immediately you go for the extra point. Don't think for a second that coaches don't have it broken down to the second when the odds say go for 2 in that exact situation. I guarantee it is right down to the second. I thought immediately take the point. Pretty sure the coaches have better info than whatever your guess is!
January 01, 2014 at 10:25 am
Everyone that has responded can't give me a logical reason why. I'm not just gonna get on board with the "in Mike we trust" mantra. Aaron Rodgers bailed him out again.
January 01, 2014 at 01:41 pm
Tom... Being down by 1 keeps it a one score game. Don't get the 2 and Chi gets a TD and your down by 9 and its suddenly a 2 score game. At 11 min remaining there was plenty of time for both teams to score again. But doubtful for any one team to score 2x's.
Hope that clears things up for you!
January 01, 2014 at 11:00 am
I would assume that, given the pace of scoring up until that point in the game, he thought he would have at least one more opportunity to go for 2 to tie the game. And generally, you go for 2 as late in the game as you can get away with it. If the game was 10-8 at that point, I would say go for 2. I think he would think that, too. But at 28-26, I think it's pretty logical to assume there might be a few more touchdown scored before it's over.
December 29, 2013 at 08:56 pm
Hey Weanie,
What's w/ the fire Slocum. Mastay, considering the conditions he kicks in is a top ten punter. Crosby, should win comeback player of year.
If you're referring to Hester's returns...he's probably the best returner in history.
If I heard this correctly, Dud Bears haven't recovered an onside kick since 2003. Pretty pathetic for ST coordinator Toub who left this off season and is considered one of the best in the NFL.
December 29, 2013 at 09:02 pm
Slocum sucks.
December 29, 2013 at 09:13 pm
He's trying to get guy off the PS and the street to play as a unit. In case you haven't noticed the Packers had a lot of injuries this season, forcing guys who weren't even on the team when the season started to be on the field on ST. No continuity due to injuries, obviously!!
December 30, 2013 at 08:02 am
Slocum has sucked for years.
December 30, 2013 at 08:30 am
Yes Nerd... And for years the Packers have had an inordinant number of injuries! Or weren't you aware of that?!
December 30, 2013 at 05:30 am
If 3rd and 1 against the worst run defense in the history of modern football is a passing down, one of two things is true. Either your GM doesn't know how to draft OL or your cheese slipped off your cracker.
In business, people at the top lose their jobs for poor performance, no excuses.
December 30, 2013 at 08:32 am
The NFL is about winning! And we won... What about that aren't you getting? Are they going to fire a guy in business if he doesn't something unorthodox but still makes as much or more money? Fuck NO!!!
December 30, 2013 at 02:19 pm
What about 8-7-1 aren't you getting? The "doesn't something unorthodox" you are talking about must be: not stopping the run when we are behind, not stopping the pass when we are ahead, and not stopping anything at the beginning of a game. Or maybe it is back to back drubbings from the 49ers with the off season to "prepare" for the second one.
Rodgers earns every penny. Just hate to see him wasted waiting for TT to get lucky in the draft again.
December 30, 2013 at 09:37 am
Wenis,
Do you understand football at all? from your comments the answer has to be no.
December 29, 2013 at 09:03 pm
Do you know why you're complaining about the pass on third and one? Because it didn't work. Your powers of observation are impressive.
December 29, 2013 at 09:17 pm
I don't like criticizing play calling, but again that run defense, you run it on third and short every time. Even if that pass had worked I wouldn't have liked the call.
December 30, 2013 at 09:37 am
Idiot, no, you don't always run on 3rd and 1
December 30, 2013 at 09:53 am
On that run defense (which is historically bad), I run 99.9999999% of the time on third and one. It doesn't have to be the same play; there are lots of running plays to choose from.
December 30, 2013 at 11:01 am
No, there aren't. There are only toss left and toss right in MM's play book.
December 30, 2013 at 11:57 am
I thought I was the only one. Mm play calling suchs. That toss play was not working. U have a beast named Lacy. Run him up the middle when AR is at center. Also Starks was running hard and should of had more carries at the end.
December 30, 2013 at 02:52 pm
Well let's see here John. The law of averages and numbers says you run on that play especially against a team with the worst run defense in the NFL. Yes, you continue to run in that situation until said team proves it can stop you. I am sorry that Madden 25 doesn't teach you something as elementary as that.
Next ?
December 29, 2013 at 07:47 pm
Jordy got targeted more times today than he did in the last month. Our backup QBs don't have the skills to get him the ball on his "money" plays--the deep sideline comeback/tiptoe and any back shoulder throw.
Big ups to the O line, too. Rodgers did not get roughed up today.
December 29, 2013 at 10:37 pm
Good point on the o-line. They kept Arod clean for most of the game. And there were a few plays where they gave him all day to throw. Gotta do it again next week.
December 30, 2013 at 08:04 am
Tolzien can throw the ball as deep as he needs to. Flynn struggles with that stuff at times. Especially in weather.
December 29, 2013 at 07:49 pm
Cow chips to our secodary. SS and TW are the shiny lumps in the patty, but that's all we can say for them.
How about just a little love somewhere for Kuhn. He had the vital carry for a yard , and it was his effort to slow down an untouched Peppers that saved our chance at a win.
December 29, 2013 at 07:51 pm
gslumbers - I mean I didn't expect to be in this position and if we beat the hers it will be more than I expected. I'm loving it all. Lived through the late 70's and 80's. We must savor these times. I do.
December 29, 2013 at 07:54 pm
I think Boykin at least deserves a red chip for continuing the play even though he was coaxed.
December 29, 2013 at 08:00 pm
On one of the replays you can see a GB coach screaming to run the ball in. Not sure who it was, but he needs to be promoted immediately!
December 29, 2013 at 08:04 pm
I thought that coach was Ben mcadoo
December 29, 2013 at 08:13 pm
Thanks Derek! Glad someone else saw it and knew who it was.
December 29, 2013 at 08:16 pm
I saw it too, But didn't know who it was. There was a couple of players as well.
December 29, 2013 at 08:00 pm
You forgot to give crosby a blue chip
December 29, 2013 at 08:07 pm
Crosby earned his money this year, glad for him.
Got to think Masthay could muscle up and get one kickoff deep or out of the end zone. I know the ball is cold and we need Mason for the directional kicks, but I was praying for one out of the end zone on that last kickoff.
December 29, 2013 at 09:41 pm
Really? His kickoffs were kind of lousy tonight. Yeah, yeah, tough place to kick and all, but Gould can kick it past the endzone.
December 30, 2013 at 08:05 am
LOL
They were doing that on purpose to keep it away from Hester.
December 30, 2013 at 09:39 am
The best way to keep it from Hester is to have Masthay kick it out the back of the endzone. For whatever reason, Crosby doesn't do that as often as he should.
Brian Carriveau
December 30, 2013 at 09:41 am
Yeah, that's not happening in temperatures below freezing.
Evan
December 30, 2013 at 09:45 am
I have no issue with Crosby kicking it away from Hester, but Gould didn't seem to have any trouble kicking it to the back line.
December 30, 2013 at 11:01 am
Gould kicked one out the back maybe once, barely; Crosby also kicked one to the back of the endzone, Hester took it out, only got to the 25, but the packers didn't want to risk him returning it at all.
December 29, 2013 at 08:01 pm
Best click on web........
http://deadspin.com/wisconsin-football-celebrates-packers-win-except-for...
December 29, 2013 at 08:27 pm
Thanks, Derek. Priceless. Highly recommended click.
December 29, 2013 at 08:37 pm
He should lose he scholarship!
December 29, 2013 at 11:24 pm
Fantastic. Go Badgers on New Years Day.
December 29, 2013 at 08:01 pm
Um... Aaron Rodgers? Because I really don't see Flynn making a lot of those throws successfully. But I do see him throwing a pick-6.
December 29, 2013 at 08:14 pm
Personally, I would have given Kuhn a Blue Chip for his block on Peppers on that Cobb TD. I don't think folks understand how great a read that was by him, and how great he was getting across the formation to hit Peppers JUST enough. THAT block was the play of the year, because without the block, Rodgers is not still standing to make the throw.
I do admire the balls of Tucker for rushing 7 on that play.
Evan
December 29, 2013 at 08:16 pm
No question.
Why was Peppers unblocked, though.
December 29, 2013 at 08:41 pm
Probably the play design. Its not like the play was designed to go to Cobb! It was designed to go to someone else and Kuhn and Rodgers made the play happen. Cobb did nothing really. He was gifted the TD by a blown coverage on a 3 deep safety look. Kuhn absolutely made the play as well as Rodgers, Cobb just benefitted by a blown coverage. Maybe it was a slant originally and your boy Bahktiari blew another cut block for all we know! Either way if there was a missed block it was likely on Bahktiari
December 29, 2013 at 08:49 pm
on jsonline they have a blog post about it… Bak didn't hear the protection switch. ugh.
December 29, 2013 at 08:49 pm
Pulling for the Cowboys tonight.
I want the Saints to win their first round game (they'd have a better chance of beating Dallas in Dallas than Philadelphia in Philadelphia).
IF the Pack were to miraculously beat the '9ers, we would want NO to win so that they would have to make the trip to Seattle.
As much as going to Carolina would suck, it'd be better than going to Seattle.
Ideal path...
SF @ home
@ Car
NO @ home
December 29, 2013 at 09:10 pm
That would be ideal, but no way are the Saints going to win in Seattle either.
December 29, 2013 at 11:09 pm
Didn't they lose there in the classic "8-8 Division Champs" game in 2010? You never know...
December 30, 2013 at 12:02 pm
Saints would have a better chance than us.
December 29, 2013 at 09:18 pm
Is it time to consider Jordy as an impact player? The guy just keeps getting better.
December 29, 2013 at 09:35 pm
Who didn't already consider Jordy an impact player?
December 29, 2013 at 09:45 pm
Just checking to make sure.
December 29, 2013 at 09:53 pm
My relationship with Jordy went from fan to full-on man-crush this year.
December 29, 2013 at 10:52 pm
And having Jordy get the preseason surgery on his knee was one of the best decisions they made this year. He looks completely healthy this year.
December 29, 2013 at 09:28 pm
Both cow chips were first rounds picks. careful don't step in that.
December 30, 2013 at 05:34 am
Good call!
December 29, 2013 at 09:52 pm
Rodgers was a little rusty, but holy crap, the difference in pocket stature between him and his stand-ins was incredible. It felt so good to see him step up into the pocket to avoid pressure rather than run backwards.
December 29, 2013 at 10:56 pm
Yup, the way he moves in the pocket is significantly better than Flynn(who probably would have run right into Peppers on that last play). He also knew how to pull-off the forward fumblerooski.
December 29, 2013 at 09:53 pm
Ok, everything happened the way it was supposed to happen. Quit bitching , the Packers won the game...................HELLO, you play to win the game.
December 29, 2013 at 09:54 pm
How about the pure presents of Rodgers telling Boykin to pick it up and run. Not many QB's with the smarts to do that.
December 29, 2013 at 10:02 pm
Every day is a gift.
That's why it's called "the present".
December 29, 2013 at 10:57 pm
Deep
December 30, 2013 at 09:22 am
Consider yourself "TKstinated" LOL
December 29, 2013 at 10:39 pm
I heard Bill Simmons the other day in his podcast say that the Patriots had lost what he would consider to be about 7 of their top 10 players to injury. That got me thinking about our injuries. Here's a quick top-ten for me, which I'm sure is debatable:
1. Rodgers
2. Matthews
3. Cobb
4. Jordy
5. Finley
6. Shields
7. Lacy
8. Hayward
9. Sitton
10. Not sure who to put here...Lang?
Prior to the season I would have put Raji on this list, but I'm not sure now. But that means significant time lost for #1, 3, 5, and 8; plus some time lost for #2, 6, and 7. That's pretty crazy. Not to mention, Bulaga on IR before the season.
December 30, 2013 at 12:00 am
Harris, Williams, EDS (irreplaceability), Daniels, or Jones.
December 29, 2013 at 11:14 pm
Most important players lost for the postseason to injury, in order:
1. Jolly
2. CMIII
3. Heyward
4. Finley
5. The Black Cheeto
Who knows how Bulaga would've played at LT- Bak is decent enough to moot that point for now.
December 30, 2013 at 06:28 pm
Who the fuck is the Black Cheeto?
December 30, 2013 at 12:01 am
BJ Raji is a fat blob of wasted cash. No way he is getting resigned. And he shouldn't.
December 30, 2013 at 12:01 am
BJ Fat.
December 30, 2013 at 02:40 am
jack tired.
December 30, 2013 at 10:31 am
Never thought id see the day that Packer fans would be so spoiled that we'd actually express theirs complaints of the team after we get into the playoffs on a crazy play capping off a rollercoaster season. Classic Packer fandom is dying.
December 30, 2013 at 09:49 pm
With regards to Kuhn and small things. Watch the replay of boykins touchdown. You see 2 packers on sidelines yelling for him to run. 1 was McCarthy and the 2 nd was Kuhn. Just because he isn t a player in the spotlight small things usually go unnoticed by the average fan
December 31, 2013 at 12:57 pm
I'm the Gambling Tom. I happen to agree with kicking the extra pt. At that time you couldn't let the game go to 2 scores. MM made the right call. I'm sure STROH & others will jump all over this, but I believe we beat a Pretty Good offense Sunday. I'm not quite sure how we stopped them, but we did. Don't know what happened at Philly, but the Bears are not that bad.
I don't bet the Packer game, but I like our chances against San Fran. I still believe, we have Very Little in the way of Linebackers, but our Corners must have played a hell of a game, to stop Marshal & Jeffreys. With a little bit of help, I think our offense can win it Sunday.
December 31, 2013 at 01:44 pm
I was in favor of the xtra pt. Was the right call IMO.
December 31, 2013 at 01:57 pm
Can our Defense help us enough for our Offense to win Sunday? Can we get our Linebackers, namely Hawk!!, to make some tackles at the line, instead of 5 yards down field? This is San Frans 2ond game on the road. I like our chances Sunday, but we are going to need our defense to step up. You Agree??
Evan
December 31, 2013 at 02:10 pm
Bears offense > 49ers offense. No doubt.