The Green Bay Packers (11-3, 4-0 NFC North) completed their season sweep against the Chicago Bears (7-7, 3-2 NFC North) holding on for a 21-13 win at Lambeau Field Sunday afternoon. Another win for Green Bay that was nothing close to pretty, but again, this team found a way to add another tally in the win column.  

If the Dallas Cowboys can beat the Los Angeles Rams later this afternoon, Green Bay will officially clinch a spot in the playoffs as well. If this were the case, head coach Matt LaFleur would become the first Packers' rookie head coach to make it to the post season.

“We knew it was going to be a physical game. I mean the Bears, that’s a tough football team, but just really happy with how resilient our guys are,” LaFleur said at his post-game press conference. “ It wasn’t always pretty, there were moments of some really good football, I think in all three phases, I think a little too inconsistent, but it was still enough to get the job done and that’s the goal, to go 1-0 each week.”

The Packers won the toss and elected to defer, so it was their defense who was first to get on the field Sunday. Green Bay was able to hold Chicago to no points on their first offensive drive, but the Packers’ offense could not configurate a response. On the first play of the Packers first offensive drive, Rodgers went deep to MVS for what should have easily been a 75-yard touchdown, but Valdes-Scantling let it slip right through his hands. Then, another receiver struggled to keep their hands on the ball as Geronimo Allision dropped what should have been another first down for Green Bay, forcing them to punt.  All season the Packers have been strong on their first offensive drives, but Sunday was almost the opposite and really set the tone for a good portion of the rest of the game.

On the Bears’ next drive, defensive tackle Kenny Clark and cornerback Jaire Alexander made two huge plays for the Packers. Clark was able to blow past the entire offensive line and get to Bears’ quarterback Mitchell Trubisky for the sack and Alexander was able to read a wide receiver screen perfectly to break up a pass and force the Bears to punt.

On the next drive, the Packers finally started to find something, but it looked like they still were not going to be able to get points on the board, that is however until 17 lined up in the slot. Wide receiver Davante Adams did not even flinch, torching his defender on 4^th and 4 for a 29-yard touchdown to put Green Bay up 7-0.

The rest of the half was just back and forth exchanges for the two NFC North rivals, until the Bears were able to get on the board with a field goal to make it 7-3 with about 1:48 left in the half. Chicago even got once more chance with just seconds left in the half, but Alexander was there to pick it off and close out the half for Green Bay.

The Packers opening drive in the second half was absolutely glorious though.  Green Bay went 73 yards in just five plays in only 2:16 seconds for a touchdown. It started with a 34-yard pickup from Adams, then quarterback Aaron Rodgers had his longest run of the year off a 17-yard rush attempt, and then running back Aaron Jones said, “I’ll take that!” and took one to the house for 21-yards to put the Packers up 14-3.

The Packers’ D would then force a turnover on downs and quickly put the ball back in Aaron Rodgers’ hands. 12 took advantage, this time going 66-yards down the field for an eventual Packers touchdown. Wide receiver Jake Kumerow was the catalyst in making things happen on that drive, making a man MISS on his 49-yard pickup. Jones finished the job again on that drive, making it 21-3 Green Bay with a lotta ball game left.

The Bears would kick another field goal at the start of the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 21-6 and from there, things got interesting to say the least.

The Bears put together a hell of a drive that took nearly six minutes off the clock that ended with a 2-yard touchdown catch from wide receiver Anthony Miller to make it 21-13. Meanwhile, the Packers could not find any kind of rhythm, punting on all their remaining drives.

Chicago had a chance to make it reallyyyyy interesting at the end with 1 second left on the clock, but they came just short of pulling off a lateral miracle.

With just a Cowboys win away from the playoffs, stellar performances from Kenny Clark and Jaire Alexander and another NFC North win, there was plenty to takeaway from Sunday’s matchup.

What we learned: A win is a win and the Packers keep on wining

Yes, it was another ugly win, but guys, it was a win. The Packers are 11-3 and 4-0 in their division. Let’s take a deep breath for a second and appreciate that. Sunday was another week that there were some red flags when it came to the Packers, but it was another week they showed they can still win games when they need to, regardless of what mistakes they make.

I will take 11 ugly wins every year if that means the Packers are playoff bound and still playing meaningful football in the month of December.

What went right: We swept Da Bears

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avRHH9uAL4Q

Need I say more?

What went wrong: Rodgers’ decision making

I am always hesitant to pick on Aaron Rodgers, but some of his decision making surely was questionable Sunday.

It seemed like one too many times 12 was holding onto the ball just a little bit too long. Late in the fourth quarter, with the Bears gaining momentum, Rodgers decided to hold onto the ball and run with it for way too long and lost the ball deep into Chicago territory. The call was originally a fumble, but luckily Rodgers elbow had just come down before the ball came loose.

Decisions like that could be costly in the next couple of weeks when the Packers need key wins the most and is certainly something all of us want to see corrected.

Offensive Standouts: Aaron Jones and Davante Adams

Another week another stellar performance by both WR1 an RB1. Aaron Jones makes this football team better and that is no secret to anyone anymore.

Jones led the team in rushing with 13 carries for 51 yards and two touchdowns (ESPN stats).

Adams on the other hand, has been locked in the last couple of weeks. One 7 showed up again, leading the team again this week with 7 receptions for 103 yards and touchdown (ESPN stats).

Defensive Standouts: Kenny Clark and Jaire Alexander

On the defensive side of things, the Bears had no answers for Kenny Clark Sunday. Clark was all over the field and his stats prove so as well. He had 8 tackles on the day, 6 of which were solo, 2 sacks, 3 tackles for a loss, and one quarterback hit (ESPN stats). This kid is just so, so special and I love watching him play.

Jaire had another solid week and proved once again that he can one day be among the elite corners in the NFL. He also had 8 tackles on the day, 8 of which were solo, 1 tackle for a loss, 2 pass deflections and an interception (ESPN stats).

Up next, another NFC North rivalry game, this time on Monday Night Football. The Green Bay Packers pay a visit to the Minnesota Vikings, next Monday Dec. 23^rd. Kickoff is set for 8:15 PM EST.