Two More Games Remain in the Packers 2021 Season, What to Expect??

 What to expect?

1 - Craziness!  Yes, hate to say it again, COVID is making the NFL just like the rest of the country - CRAZY TIME!  A new variant, politics, unclear leadership, flying anywhere, traveling anywhere, restaurants, families getting together, vaccines, boosters, new COVID pill, ................ 

Every week new players go on the COVID list, new regulations, CONFUSION!  The next month should be interesting with numbers spoiling again!

2 - Injuries - Yes, a constant NFL issue & the Packers are NO DIFFERENT!  Bakhtiari, STILL not back from last years torn ACL!!! Z Smith still out!  Jaire Alexander still out!  Josh Meyers still out!  Finished for the season, Tonyan & Jenkins!  Always injured Kevin King!  Aaron Jones banged up!  And, MOST important, Aaron Rodgers Pinky Toe!

3 - Vikings & Lions games always close, will be close!!!

4 - LaFleur for coach of the year! No matter what happens the rest of the year, this guy deserves it!  From Aaron Rodgers Drama, to COVID, to injuries, this young coach deserves some BIG TIME CREDIT!

So, hang in there Packer Fans!  The FUN is JUST beginning!!

Go Pack Go!

Packers Hang on Again! Edge Browns 24-22

 As a heart patient, I hope my doctors did a good job!  Eleven Years Ago, I missed a Packer Game,  due to Open Heart Surgery!  So, I guess my surgeon did a GOOD JOB!  No - GREAT JOB!!!!!  This team, and many other Packers teams have tested my by-passes each year & this year, is another test!

What have you noticed?  Lately, Packers get ahead, and HANG ON!!!  Again, the defense, AND Baker Mayfield delivered!  4 Interceptions!!!  The Browns had 10 series during the game & 4 ended in interception!  That is 40%!  That is a Christmas Gift even Santa would have trouble delivering!

Cleveland Browns 10 Offensive Series:

4 - Scoring Drives - 3 TD's & 1 FG

4 - Interceptions!  Again, THANKS!

1 - Punt

1 - End of Half

That, my friends is an interesting drive chart!

Green Bay Packers 10 Offensive Drives:

4 - Scoring Drives - 3 TD's & 1 FG

5 - Punts! (3 of those drives 3 & OUTS! - NOT GOOD!)

1 - End of Game

Did you notice anything?  Packers - 3 TD's & 1 FG & Browns - 3 TD's & 1 FG.  The difference, Browns miss their first PAT, and missed a 2 point conversion and that is the game!!!  Whoa!!!

Packer Fans, with injuries, COVID, Officials Calls or No-calls, the NFL is in a weird place...... so expect a weird year!  Little like last year, except, maybe even stranger! 

Two more games - Vikings & Lions.  Two team, with nothing to lose & NFL players on these teams that are trying to show the world they belong!  Teams that will gamble, go for it on 4th Down, Trick Plays, and just a reckless abandon - DANGEROUS GAMES!!

Packers, to keep the number one seed, JUST WIN BABY!

Merry Christmas to All the Football Fans Out There!

What Does This Packer Fan Want for Christmas?

 First, Packers Fans, gives thanks!  The past 30 years, we have been blessed with Great Teams, Great Players & Great Memories!  

NOW, how about we now pretend we are a 10 year old kid!  And, GET GREEDY!!!

My 2021 Packer Christmas List!

1 - A first round BYE in the payoffs!

2 - The return of David Bakhtiari, Jaire Alexander, & Z Smith

3 - A magic cure for Aaron Rodger's Pinky Toe!

4 - A win against the Bucs and Tom Brady in the NFC Championship Game! (And, Tommy throwing another Tantrum in the game!)

5 - And............ of course...................

A Packer Super Bowl Win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Three Packers Make the 2021 NFL ProBowl

 Here are the Pro Bowl Packers for 2022

QB - Aaron Rodgers - Year 17 - Age 38

What else can you say about the talent of Aaron Rodgers?  Watching Aaron throw is special.  Deep passes, short passes, touch passes, passes on the move, and passes he doesn't't throw that lead to possible interceptions!  His command of the clock & reading the defense.  His stats, and tying Brett Favre for all time Packer TD passes at 442! In a league of 32 starting QB's, Packer Fans are blessed.  Is is, without a doubt a Pro Bowl - NO BRAINER!

WR - Davante Adams - Year 8 - Age 29

I will get this out of the way, a Pro Bowl NO BRAINER!  In year 8, after watching Jordy Nelson & Randall Cobb all those years, not only did Adams learn how to play wide receiver, but, has taken the initiative to become a GREAT wide receiver!  Great route runner, great hands, great hands, and outstanding athletic ability!  

DT - Kenny Clark - Year 6 - Age 26

Defensive Tackles are NOT always easy to spot.  In the middle of all the chaos & confusion is a BIG DUDE that creates it all!  Kenny Clark does not always look like a typical, BIG BELLY defensive tackle - HE IS ATHLETIC!  A great high school & college wrestler, he is VERY agile & athletic!  He commands a double team!  He, can stop the run!  He can rush the passer!  He is without a doubt, an outstanding defensive lineman!

Players that would be there, if not for injury?

OT - David Bakhtiari - Year 9 - Age 30

Bakhtiari has made the Pro Bowl when healthy!  Still recovering from ACL surgery from last year, but has commanded the respect of all people in the NFL!  Even injured, David has some of the BEST HAIR!

CB - Jaire Alexander - Year 4 - Age 24

Alexander has become a "lock down corner"!  Check out the article for last year, "Cornerback Rankings" Like a bunch of rankings last year, Alexander was ranked #1!!!!!.  We hope he is back this year for the playoffs!!!!

Player that should be close to Pro Bowl?

ILB - De'Vondre Campbell - Year 6 - Age 28

What a great pick up for the Green Bay Packers! Let go by the Falcons, on the Cardinals Practice squad, Packers pick Campbell up to help a VERY weak inside linebacker group!  WOW!  He VERY easily, may be the MVP of the Packers defense this year!!!!  Great tackler, great range, and leadership!  Campbell has made a HUDE difference this year for the Packers!!!

Packers vs. Browns, Another Game with Meaning!

 December Football is Fun!  Each Game MEANS something!  For example last week, our NFC North friends, the Lions!  Lions are out of the playoffs, BUT, won a game over the Cardinals that MEANS something! 

So, what is at stake?  Packers - NFC #1 seed!  Browns - fighting for a playoff spot!

Games Details?

1 - Game is at Lambeau Field - Home field!

2 - QB - Packers, Aaron Rodgers & we think Browns - Baker Mayfield?  Another interesting battle!  Young QB vs. the Old Vet QB!  Both QB's are banged up!  Of course, the Rodger's Pinky Toe & Mayfield's coming off COVID and has been banged up all year!  

3 - Running backs - Chubb, Browns & Dillon-Jones Battle!  This one is interesting!  My guess is whoever wins this battle, wins the game!

4 - Defense - Browns have some names - Garret & Clowney!  Again, both a inured, but have been playing!  Hopefully, Kenny Clark is back for the Pack!

5 - Special Teams?  I close my eyes when it is Packer Special Teams Time!

So, as every week shows, NOTHING is easy!  But, the Packers still need to show a consistent effort!

Packers & Ravens Game Comes Down to the Wire!

 Final Score:

Packers 31 - Ravens 30

Wow!  That was close!  Every week is a new adventure!  Quick look at the drive charts:

Each Team had 9 drives:

Baltimore - 5 scores(4 TD's-1 FG), 1 Punt, 2 on downs, 1 End of Half

Packers - 5 scores((4 TD's-1 FG), 3 Punts, 1 End of Game

Good news, Ravens missed the 2 point conversion at the end of game!

Good News - Rookie CB, Stokes was in the final defense break up of the conversion to TE, Andrews, who killed the Packers ALL NIGHT!  We won without our game changing defensive tackle, Kenny Clark!  Rodgers looks like he is in the zone & the broken piggy toe is under control!  The Special Teams seem to be STILL be an issue!  More good news (maybe), are we closer to getting back, OT-Bakhtiari, CB-Alexander, &OLB-Z Smith????  

Results? 

1 - Packers are the 2021 NFC North Champs!

2 - Packers solidified the grasp on the top seed with a win, and the Bucs & Cardinals losing!

3 - Packers are finding new ways to win every week!

Packers Take to the Road, Baltimore Ravens Next on the Schedule

 Every week is a challenge, for every NFL team.  Week 14 is here and what are the hurdles??

Injuries?

Packers - TE-Dafney, WR-Taylor, WR-Valdes-Scantling, WR-ST. Brown, OT-Turner, RB-Jones, OT-Bakhtiari, QB-Rodgers

Ravens - Westry, Ricard, Brown, Jackson, Powers, Mekari, Houston, Williams, Phillips, Young, Villanueva, Boyle, Campbell

Of course, the BIG issue  -  QB, Packers, Rodgers TOE & Ravens, Jackson ANKLE!

COVID is still our there, Packers lose Kenny Clark, our top defensive lineman!

What is on the line?

1 - Clinching NFC North

2 - Keeping the NFC #1 Playoff Bye

3 - Taking the team on the road, for a physical AFC opponent

What to look for?

1 - Rodgers mobility

2 - Ravens coverage of Davante Adams

3 - Packer TE - Degura - needs to become a factor

4 - Defensive Line - NO KENNY CLARK - someone step up!

5 - Win the turnover battle!

First Gut Reaction to the Packers Win Over the Bears!

 Watched the entire game today as usual.........

1 - No Sound

2 - Fast Forward All Commercials & Crap

3 - Rewind Good & Bad Plays

What is my initial reactions........

1 - What the Heck is going on with Special Teams!!!!!???????

2 - The Packer Offense and Defense in the Second Half was "Super Bowl" worthy!

3 - Aaron Rodgers is special

4 - Kenny Clark is special

5 - Brian Gutekunst, our GM is special - free agents pick ups Rasul Douglas & De'Vondre Campbell

So, more to come.  Enjoy the win & let's go 1 & 0 next week!

Go Pack Go!

Packers vs Bears, Packers Need to Win Games That They SHOULD Win!

 Every sport has a team that should win, and a team that should NOT win.  The Packers & Bears fit this game on Sunday Night!  So, this could be called a TRAP GAME!  And, the Bears have video & bulletin board material....... remember game one this season & our quarterback saying to the lovely Bear fans, "I own you, I f......ing own you!" The Packer - Bears are in game #204 in their series!  So, what to expect?

So, we we know what is on the Bears bulletin board!  Now, what should we expect Sunday Night??????

1 - The game is in Lambeau!  That is a GOOD THING!

2 - Aaron actually practice Friday.  That is a GOOD THING!

3 - The Packers are coming off a Bye Week!  That is a GOOD THING!

4 - The Packers are motivated to win the NFC North!  That is a GOOD THING!

5 - The Packers defense is continuing to play well!  That is a GOOD THING!

And, the Bears?

I'm sure, the old Bear Ghosts will be haunting the Bears locker room this week!  George Halas, Walter Peyton, Bronko Nagurski, Sid Luckman, ............ and don't forget the guys still around, Butkus, Singletary, Ditka..........

And, forget the records, it is......................

Packers vs Bears!

Time to Give a BIG SHOUT OUT to the Packers Offensive Line & Coaches!

 OK, think about a team missing their BEST OFFENSIVE LINEMAN all year! (Davis Bakhtiari) Missing their second best offensive lineman, (AND, most versatile) for the REST of the year! (Elgton Jenkins).  And, the rookie starting center! (Josh Myers) And, this team is STILL WINNING!

The Green Bay Packers!!!!!

First, coaches: Adam Stenavich and Luke Butkus!  WOW!  What a great job! Woking with young players, and free agent signing, these two people have kept the Packers moving the football!

Starting Offensive Line as of this week?

LT - Yosh Nijman  6'7" - 314 lbs - Year 2

LG - Jon Runyan  6'4" - 307 lbs - Year 2

C - Lucas Patrick  6'3" - 313 lbs - Year 5

RG - Royce Newman  6'5" - 310 lbs - Rookie

RT - Billy Turner  6'5" - 310 lbs - Year 8

First, the youth!  Nijman, Runyan & Newman are babies (BUT BIG BABIES)  This group has been amazing!  Year 5 - Lucas Patrick, is one of those players you cheer for every year!!!  Even making the team was a big question!  Playing different positions!  Settling in at center, a position, like the QB, you touch the ball every play, and, you call the blocking scheme every play!  Lucas Patrick has been a HUGE plus!  The vet, holding this group together, Billy Turner!  He was a GIANT free agent signing by Gutekunst! When you listen to his interviews, he has that calm and cool and under control feel.  You know that no moment is too big for Billy!

In the wings:

Ben Braden - 6'6" - 329 lbs - Year 2

Jake Hanson - 6'4" - 296 lbs - Year 1

Dennis Kelly - 6'8" - 321 lbs - Year 9

A nice mix of youth and vets.  With David Bakhtiari trying to get back, this group looks better and better!

So, THREE CHEERS FOR THE BIG GUYS!!!!

Packers Offensive Line

Packers vs Bears, Game #204 in the Series!

 Yes, it is Packers vs Bears!

#204

The all time series is Packers 102 wins - 95 losses - 6 ties!

First meeting November 27, 1921 - Chicago Staleys (now the Bears!)  20 - Green Bay Packers 0

Last Meeting October 17, 2021 - Green Bay Packers 24 - Chicago Bears 14

So, what is the game plan?

Packers #1 - Win a game you should win & move closer to clinching NFC North

Bears #1 - Head Coach Matt Nagy trying to save his job!

Packers #2 - Packers Defense wins the turnover battle

Bears #2 - Is it Fields or Dalton?

Packers #3 -  Offense - Consistency in the run & pass games & red zone 100% scoring!

Bears #3 - Defense is not the same!

So, all the arrows are pointing in the Packers direction!  BUT, it is still the Bears & Packers!  It is still a game of professional athletes!  You still need to play the game well!  And, the players NEED to want it!

Winning in the NFL?

 In the last 100 years of the NFL, winning has changed?  It has gone from a SPRINT to a MARATHON!  

From 8-12 games in the early days to 14, to 16, now 17 games in the regular season.  The playoffs have expanded, from two teams to the present 14 teams!  

Players playing on both offense & defense and doing the punting & kicking, to specialists!  A long snapper ONLY!  A punter ONLY!  A kicker ONLY!  

Players taking the off season to do a second job, sell cars, work for a company, or just hang out (IF, they were lucky!)  Now, players train & lift weights ALL year long!  

Before 1970 there was NO minimum salary, in 1970 the minimum salary was $9000 - in 2021 it is $660,000! (By the way, I am a retired educator, started in education at $7700.  If my salary went up at the NFL rate (73 times), I would have retired at $562,100!)  So, in my lifetime, an NFL player went from an average American, to a wealthy American!  

As you can see, in the past 100 years, a professional football player is at a new level!  So, how does that change the way a team wins in the NFL?

1 - Stay healthy!  It is a marathon!  Are you able to stay healthy for August to February?? 5-6 months!

2 - Salary Cap - how is the $$$$$ divided up among the 50-60 players!

3 - Quarterback Play - You need a GREAT ONE or a Quarterback that will not make stupid mistakes!

4 - Turnovers!  DO NOT DO IT!

5 - Coaching? Year ago, control & basics - today - moving to a players coach & creativity!

6 - Depth & making moves during the season.  As we started health is a concern, so, a second string player, that is ready to go, is critical!  And, picking up a free agent or another teams practice squad player, is imperative!

7 - Team - does the team have IT?  Chemistry, leadership, and, do they have each others back???

Let's look at the top tams in the NFL now:

NFC - Arizona, Green Bay, Tampa Bay & Dallas

AFC - Kansas City, Baltimore, New England, & Tennessee

All have IT!  Quarterbacks, players, coaching, ......  How will this all finish???  Time will tell!

Bye Week 2021 - A Look at the Current Packer Roster

 What does the starting lineup look like on Offense:

QB - Aaron Rodgers

RB - Aaron Jones & AJ Dillon

WR - Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Allen Lazard, & Randall Cobb

TE - Mercedes Lewis & Josiah Deguara

LT - Yosh Nijman     RT - Billy Turner

LG - Jon Runyan      RG - Royce Newman

C - Lucas Patrick

Starters Out for year - Elgton Jenkins, Robert Tonyan, Josh Myers  Starters due back - David Bakhtiari

Defense:

DE - Dean Lowry & Kingsley Keke

NT - Kenny Clark

OLB - Rashan Gary & Preston Smith

ILB - De'Vondre Campbell & Krys Barnes

CB - Rasul Douglas, Eric Stokes & Kevin King

S - Adrian Amos & Darnell Savage

Starters due back? - Za'Darius Smith & Jaire Alexander

So, the Packers are 9-3, without All Pros - David Bakhtiari, Za'Darius Smith & Jaire Alexander.  Also, starters Robert Tonyan, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers - that is 6 of 22 starters!  Plus, some other key people, DE- Whitney Mercilus a 2021 pick up, and Kylin Hill our starting return man.

The BIG keys?  Will we get David Bakhtiari back?  He is our BEST offensive lineman and the leader of that group!  Jaire Alexander was becoming one of the BEST shut down corners in the NFL!  That is BIG! Will he be back???  Za'Darius Smith has been our TOP pass rusher!

A lot of mystery!  Players that could make the Packers a REAL NFL threat!!  Time will tell!

Packers Over Rams, How Did This Packer Fan Prediction Look?

 Here was my list:

1 - To beat the Rams, Packers RUN the football! (Dillon over 100 yards)  (69 yards)

2 - To beat the Rams, win the turnover battle!  (Yes - 3 for Packers & 1 for Rams)

3 - To beat the Rams, MAKE all attempted Field Goals!  (Packers missed one Field Goal)

4 - To beat the Rams, pressure Ram QB with 2-3 sacks & 2-3 hurries  (2 sacks & 5 hurries)

5 - How about a little SNOW during the game!!! (YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!)

So, not to bad - especially the SNOW!!!

If you watched the game, the Packers were in control.  Exception, to long pass plays.  The offense controlled the tempo.  The defense, except for the 2 long pass plays, was in control.  The special teams, one missed field goal.  Again, with several starters, 3 starting offensive lineman, 2 starting defensive players, and those nagging issues (Aaron Rodgers - pinky toe!)

Rams - 14 Offensive Drives: 5 scores (3-TD's & 2 FG's), 5 Punts, 1 Downs, 2 Turnover, 1 End Half

Packers - 13 Offensive Drives: 6 scores (3 TD's & 3 FG's), 5 Punts, 1 missed FG, & 1 End Game

Now, the BYE week!  Who will be get back for the last 5 games??  How will the regally season end?  Remember the last 5 games:

Week 14 - Home - Chicago Bears

Week 15 - At - Baltimore Ravens

Week 16 - Home - Cleveland Browns

Week 17 - Home - Minnesota Vikings

Week 18 - At - Detroit Lions

How the Packers Beat the Rams

 This game will have an impact how the Packers 2021 will progress!  With the Aaron Rodgers Drama, the Packer Injuries, the lingering COVID issues and, the new 17 game season, this will be another weird NFL season!  So, next step for the Packers?

1 - To beat the Rams, Packers RUN the football! (Dillon over 100 yards)

2 - To beat the Rams, win the turnover battle! 

3 - To beat the Rams, MAKE all attempted Field Goals! 

4 - To beat the Rams, pressure Ram QB with 2-3 sacks & 2-3 hurries

5 - How about a little SNOW during the game!!!

The Packers 2021 Season, Now Down to 6 Games!

 OK, the day after Thanksgiving!  The Day of LEFTOVERS!  While you eat your turkey sandwich & day old Pumpkin Pie, what is left on the Packer Schedule?

Week 12 - Sunday - Nov 28th - 4:25 PM - Rams @ Packers 

Week 13 - BYE WEEK

Week 14 - Sunday - Dec 12th - 8:20 PM - Bears @ Packers

Week 15 - Sunday - Dec 19th - 1:00 PM - Packers @ Ravens

Week 16 - Saturday - Dec 25th - 4:30 PM - Browns @ Packers

Week 17 - Sunday - Jan 2nd - 8:20 PM - Vikings @ Packers

Week 18 - Sunday - Jan 9th - 1:00 PM - Packers @ Lions

So, 6 games 

- 4 of those games at HOME!

- 3 Division Games

- 4 Conference Games

- 2 8:20 PM start games

Overall, the Packers have goals, they are

1 - Win the NFC North (guarantees the playoffs!)

2 - Attain the NFC top seed (all important BYE week!)

3 - Get as heathy as possible (Lost so far, Jenkins, Tonyan, - questionable - Alexander, Z Smith, Bakhtiari)

Reminder, under Matt LaFleur, has continues to keep the Packers relevant.  He has continued to work with the NFL's most talented DIVA!  He has handled the continued injury bug very well!  Brian Gutekunst has continued to bring in talent when need!  And, MOST OF ALL..................

Packers Fans Rock!

Happy Thanksgiving Packer Fans

 

This Packer Fan is Thankful for:

Living in a country where FREEDOM is FIRST!

The Ability to Worship & Live My Faith!

FAMILY!

FRIENDS!

MY PACKER BUDDIES!

SPORTS - especially, FOOTBALL

AND, of course...............................................................................

THE

     GREEN

          BAY

               PACKERS!

Packers Last Game Before Bye Week - Rams Visit Lambeau!

 The NFL Bye Week!  This may be the most important week of the season!!!  The Packers have a Week 13 Bye Week, the second last Bye in the NFL Schedule!  They have ONE more game as they limp into the BYE week! Injuries!  The NFL NEEDS to address this!  What makes the NFL such an injury prone sport??  I have my reasons, but they never seem to call me!  What, there is one BIG reason - GREEEEEEED!  We love football, but more is NOT always better!  AGAIN, here are my simple, and I stress simple, ways to make the sport safer!

1 - Not more games, less games!  We are now experimenting with a 17 games season!  

Then, add to that more playoff games! (Plus, a division winner should not get a home game for a crappy year!!! Make the 16 games important!  Too many games, go back to 16 & be happy! 

2 - Crazy Schedule - Thursday Night, Monday Night, Sunday afternoon, Sunday Night, and at the end of the year Saturdays!  If, you ever played football, even high school football, the body does not recover with 3 days rest!  And, add to that, travel & now why not London, England!

3 - Playing surfaces!  All-weather (artificial), in-door stadiums, practice facilities, - what does the pounding do?  We all know, teams are NOT allowed to have full contact over a certain times during the week.

4 - Game time schedule, a game has tooooo many breaks, TV time outs, instant replay, challenges, normal time outs, they play hard for 2-3 minutes, than, stop & look at each other for 2-3 minutes!  No rhythm to the game, for the human body!

5 - Players too big.  Muscles mass gets BIGGER, ligaments & tendons to not.  The human body structure does not normally support 300-350 lb linemen, & 220 lb running backs!  And, if you are a normal 6' & 180 lb player - GOOD LUCK!  

6 - Training?  We are training for SPEED & STRENGTH.  How about "survival"?

Now, enough of my venting - Packers starters out?

   Za'Darius Smith - OLB - entire season

   David Bakhtiari - OT - entire season, so far

   Robert Tonyan - TE - entire season

   Elgton Jenkins - OT & OG - out for season

   Jaire Alexander - CB - still injured

   Aaron Jones - RB - still injured

   Rashan Gary - OLB - still injured

   Allan Lazard - missed last game

   

That is a lot of starters!  We didn't discuss special teams & backups!  This is concerning!!

NOTE!  By the way Aaron Rodgers has a broken toe!  But, says he will play!!

Next, a look at the Rams.

   

   

Vikings Edge Packers with Walk-Off Field Goal!

 A quick look at the game - did not see the entire game, only highlights! (Trouble with living in Pennsylvania!)

1 - Defense - the injuries are starting to have a negative impact!

2 - Offense - Jenkins - out for season with ACL Injury!

3 - Last minute interception by Savage ruled incomplete was a killer!

And, we need to get Bakhtiari back at left tackle, we need to get Alexander back at cornerback, we need to get Jones back at running back and we need to have NO MORE INJURIES!!!!!

Packers at Vikings, What to Watch for during the Game!

 Week #11 - Packers vs Vikings

1 - Extra Points & Field Goals!  Watch the snap, watch the hold & watch the kick!

2 - Defense - after 3 great week, and injuries keep mounting, what do we expect?  Will Gary play with a bad elbow?  Can Jonathan Garvin fill the void at OLB?  Can the ILB's make up for the weakness at OLB??  How about a few more turnovers???

3 - Offense - No Aaron Jones, No Allan Lazard, No Robert Tonyan & STILL no David Bakhtiari what will the plan of attack be vs the Vikings defense??  A heavy dose of AJ Dillon - and what will the new running back - Patrick Taylor look like?  Will Josiah Deguara make a move to help??  How about wide receiver #3? Cobb or MVS????  And, will Aaron finally have a BIG game????

The Packers seem to be able to some how find a different formal to win, this week will be another adventure!!!

Go Pack Go!

One Last Look at Seattle Game & a Peak at the Vikings Game

 So, what does the drive chart look like from the Seattle Game?

First, the Seattle offensive drives - 10 Drives = 6 Punts - 2 Interceptions - 1 Downs - 1 Halftime

That may have been the best defensive effort in the past ten years???  And, that is three weeks in a row of great defensive play!  The best stat - Against QB's - Murray, Mahomes, & Wilson - 1 Passing TD!!!!!

Packers offensive drives - 9 Drives = 4 Punts - 3 Scores (2 TD's - 1 FG) - 1 Downs - 1 Missed FG

Not great, but efficient!  My concern, Red Zone efficiency - last year was #1 in the NFL, this year, for some reason, the Packers are struggling in the Red Zone.  And, FG issues??  Remember, 3 weeks ago, the Packers dumped their long snapper & signed Steve Wirtel and our Punter (Corey Bojorquez, who is doing a great job punting) is the holder, but, his first year!  So, we need to get this straight!!!

The Packers & Vikings is a great rivalry! Record, Packers 63 wins, 55 losses & 3 ties.  Playing in the Viking Dome Stadium(SISSIES) is VERY LOUD!  And, Head Coach Zimmer, always gives us problems!!

Get Ready

Packers vs Vikings

Packers 2021 Season, Another Great Start!

 With all the Aaron Rodgers Drama, COVID, Injuries, the Matt LaFleur Packers are off to another great start!  The past 3 years, under the leadership of young coach LaFleur, the Packers have continued to be one of the top teams in the NFL.  Also, the upper management of Murphy, Gutekunst & Ball, need to be complemented!  The players, also, have worked through injuries & COVID to produce on the football field.  So, let's look at the Packer "State of the 2021 Season"

1 - The Packers have a 3 game lead in the NFC North

     Packers 8-2-0

     Vikings 4-5-0

     Bears 3-6-0

     Lions 0-8-1

2 - Packers, with a win over the Cardinals, are the top seed in the NFC

     Packers 8-2-0

     Cardinals 8-2-0

     Rams 7-2-0

     Bucs 6-3-0

     Rams 7-3-0

3 - Aaron Rodgers is still our QB.  Love him or hate him, Aaron is still one of the NFL's elite QB's.  The DRAMA this year at time has been "unbearable"!  But, enjoy the time we have with him under center!  I keep reminding Packer Fans - we have had 29 years of great QB play - Favre to Rodgers!  Most NFL franchises would love 1 year!!!!

4 - NFL Injury issues.  The Packers continue to have injury issues!  Starters having problems in 2021?

David Bakhtiari - our all-pro left tackle - still not back from last years ACL injury!  But SOON!!!!

Josh Meyers - our rookie starting center

Robert Tonyan - our top receiving tight end, finished for the season

Kylin Hill - our top return man on kick offs & 3rd string RB, out for the season

Jaire Alexander - our top cornerback still nursing a shoulder injury

Za'Darius Smith - our top pass rusher, still recovering from back surgery

Whitney Mercilus - our big free agent signing at outside linebacker, torn bicep, finished for year

Aaron Jones - newest injury, sprained MCL - out 1-2 weeks??

So, NEXT MAN UP!  The Packers continue to win, despite the continued injury issues, I wish the NFL's upper management would take this more seriously!  I still the the schedule is part of the issue!  Playing on so many different days & nights and the length of the season now at 17 games.  Expanded playoffs.  The NFL continues to put GREED in place of the athletes body & the athletes are also guilty!  The players contracts are growing every year, along with the bulging ownerships payoffs!!

5 - Matt LaFleur - Our head coach, our "young" head coach, has handled the last 3 years with an amazing maturity!  First, his record in the NFL regular season 34 wins & 8 losses, is superb.  He walked into a pretty good football team & continued to make the Packers relevant!  His handling of players (especially "You Know Who") may be better than any other head coach in the league?  His offense, creative.  His interviews . . . . . ..  SO, MUCH BETTER THAN MCCARTHY! Only thing he needs to do of course, we the BIG ONE!

6 - Brian Gutekunst - Another relatively young gun, in a VERY DIFFICULT General Manager job!  We all know "You Know Who", has been all over him, but he has seemed to staying above the mess!  His player personnel moves, in a VERY TIGHT salary cap, I think have been VERY good.  My only concern has been d-line?  Overall, keeping the Packers in the hunt!

I could go on, but time to leave & focus on our friendly Vikings!  THIS GAME is always a BATTLE!

This Packer Fan Breaks His Silence!

 Trying to be a football fan as a senior citizen is difficult.  The days of Lombardi, Starr, Taylor, onto Reggie White and Brett Favre are in the past.  And, Football has moved on, sometimes I feel without me!  A few observations:

1 - NFL Salaries - The days of getting a part time job, for an NFL player, in the off season are over!  Salaries are to the point where the players, if smart, are set for life - even their children! 

2 - Schedule - 10 - 12 - 16 - now 17 games.  Monday Night, Thursday Night, & Sunday Night are added to the regular Sunday afternoons!  

3 - Training - the players would come to summer camp to get "INTO SHAPE" - now they are NEVER out of shape, all year round conditioning programs!  BIGGER _ STRONGER _ FASTER!

4 - Media - From CBS & NBC to an ENTIRE NETWORK (NFL Network) along with ESPN, Fox Sports, Social Media(Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)

5 - Talking Heads! - Oh My Goodness!!!  Everyone is an EXPERT!!  24 hours a day - 7 days a week - everyone is trying to demonstrate why their view is the BEST VIEW!!!  Retire Players & Coaches, men & WOMEN letting you know exactly what the players are thinking & doing ON & OFF the field!!!  Pardon the Interruption, College Game Day, SportCenter, Fox NFL Sunday, Hard Knocks, Football Night in America, Around the Horn, Inside the NFL, NFL on CBS, Monday Night Countdown, NFL Live ........ I could go on & on!!

6 - Fantasy & Gambling - WOW!  Instead on cheering your own team on, YOU have your OWN team!!!  Even if your Packers are playing, you may be cheering on another play on the other TEAM!!!  Gambling!  The NFL has opened the flood gates!!!  You can wager on a team, or will a player gain over 100 yards!!  YOU CAN WAGER ON ANYTHING!!!

7 - Football is an Experience! - Have you seen the areas around a football stadium!!  Take the Packers Lambeau Field!!  The Packer Hall of Fame is part of the stadium, you have the Packer Pro Shop, restaurants, YOU can even get married and have the reception there!!!  And, around the stadium, a 5-Star Hotel, shops to shop, more restaurants, condos to live in next to the stadium, EVN a tubing hill (YES, my OLD Packer Buddies did it!!)

8 - PLAYERS - I feel the NFL is becoming the NBA.  Players choose where they wish to play.  Tom Brady & Gronk jump to their own team & are joined by hand picked free agents.  Of course, our boy, Aaron Rodgers!  He would like to be involved.... BUT, just how??  That is the next question, will players dictate more & more?

So, is the NFL headed in the correct direction??  Is more always better??   Are fans better???

There I feel much better!  I VENTED!  I now will try my best to get back to football & maybe I will be able to watch the Packers play this year again!

Go Pack Go!

Go Pack Go!

Go Pack Go!

Go Pack Go!

Go Pack Go!

Following the Packer vs Cardinals Possessions

 One of my main methods of breaking down the game is the possession charts.  Here they are:

A simple comparison:

     Packers 10 Possessions - 3 Punts, 3 TD's, 1 FG, 1 Downs, 1 End of Half & 1 End of Game

     Cardinals 8 Possessions - 3 Punts, 3 TD's, 2 Interceptions

The first obvious deciding factor, TWO Cardinal drives end in interceptions & 1 Drive never started because of a fumbled Punt!  Packers NO TURNOVERS!

And the drives Total Time - Packers 37:25 & Cards 22:25 - Hey Folks, that an entire NFL quarter - 15 minutes!!!!!

Now, players that made a difference on offensive drives?

1 - AJ Dillon - WOW - some physical runs!

2 - Wide receiver - Winfree, just up from the Practice Squad!  Nice job!!

3 - Again, offensive Line, without TWO starters!  AGAIN!!

4 - Oh, and Aaron Rodgers

Players on defense

1 - Our new cornerback, Douglas, interception to seal the game!!

2 - Our inside linebacker - Campbell, still FLYING around the field!

3 - Rookie Cornerback, Stokes, still hanging tough!

4 - How about defensive tackle Dean Lowry, another solid game!

And, last BUT not least, our new Punter - Corey Bojorquez!  SOLID!

Packers over Cardinals, How Was Your Heart Rate?

 If you have been following the Packers for a long time, there have been some games that will make your heart stop!  As mentioned in earlier posts, we have had TWO quarterbacks for the past 29 years, Rodgers & Favre and both have been fun to watch!  Last nights game was another in the long list of Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

So, first the finish!

*  Packers have the ball with less than 5 minutes, first and goal from the 1!  Winning 24-21, a TD ices it!!!  Guess what - 1st & Goal from the one & NO SCORE!!!!!

*  Cardinals have the ball on their one!  99 yards to go!  No problem??  Uh Oh!  Cardinals go over 90 yards with 12 seconds left - Cardinal QB throws and interception!  Our newly acquired corner, Douglas comes up BIG! (Could Kevin King have pulled this off????)

So, the Packers are 7 wins & 1 loss.  And, the injuries and COVID and football continues!!!!

Who will be the next HERO??????

The Ups & Downs of the NFL!

 Well a lot has happened since my last post!  

1 - Packers take care of business with a win over the Redskins 24-14

2 - COVID is still a part of the NFL game plan!

3 - Adversity is a weekly part of every NFL team!

4 - Thursday Night Football is STUPID & GREEDY!

First, #1 - the Packers over the Redskins, SORRY the Washington Football Team!  More and more this season is reminding me of the Packers last Super Bowl Season!  Not pretty, survive from week to week, and just win!  Injuries continue to make life interesting!  And, for all the "CRAP" that Rodgers gave the Packer Management, they are going out and picking up the pieces to survive 2021!  A few points of interest.  The Packers offensive line continues to impress!  With Bakhtiari & Myers, continued shuffling, the line continues to make it work!  The Washington defensive strength, defensive was neutralized!  The Packers defense fills the injury holes!  No Z Smith, no Alexander, two all pros & the defense holds up under the weekly grind!  

#2 - COVID - No Davante Adams, No Allan Lazard, no Defensive Coordinator.  This is just part of the landscape!  Accept it, next man up, and under Matt LaFleur, the Packers are 6 wins & 0 losses without Adams!

#3 - All teams have injuries, all teams have COVID issues, all teams are NOT perfect.  The survivors win!

#4 - The NFL continues to experiment with the season schedule & go for the $$$$$$$!  Games, Sunday, Monday, Thursday, and at times Saturday is NOT smart! Games in London, entering Europe, crazy.  It produces money, but at what expense!  I predict, in the end, this will destroy the game as we know it!

All in all, the Packers continue to be successful.  Will this season be special?  Maybe it already is!

Packers vs Redskins, a "Trap Game"!

 Whenever a team "SHOULD" win, is when they "DO NOT" win!  This is one of those games, that is always dangerous in the NFL Schedule!  What I would like to see this Sunday?

1 - A balanced offense!  Running game continue to use Jones & Dillion and DO NOT abandon the run game early!  150 yards would be nice with two TD's!

2 - Passing Game - get Tonyan involved!  Lazard & Cobb!  Our running backs!  And, how about our rookie, Amari Rodgers!  Spread the wealth!  30 yards, two TD's!

3 - Packers Run Defense.  Lowry & Clark continue to have good season!  The play of Campbell has been great - KEEP flying around the field!  Newcomer Jaylon Smith!  Make some BIG plays!!  Hold the Washington team under 100 rush yards!

4 - Packers Pass Defense - this has been interesting, injuries have MADE it interesting!  Stokes, as a rookie has played well.  King is back, is that a GOOD thing??  Newcomer, Douglas, continue to help!  Will Black be needed to fill in for Savage??? (Concussion Protocol)

5 - Special Teams??  NO long returns given up!  And, when will we see a Packer Kick or Punt Return for a TD??  In fact, Packer Fans, when was the last time the Packers returned a kick or punt for a TD?????

So, score prediction??

Packers 31 - Redskins 13

Packers Over Bears, Never Gets Old!

 Yes, The 203rd Packer - Bears Game is in the books!  A 24-14 win.  Packers record stands at 5 wins and 1 loss.  The Packers are two games up on the Bears & Vikings in their division.  The 2021 Packers are in control of their own destiny. "Just win baby!"

As a Packer Fan out there, enjoy the moment!  Smile!  Have a beer!  Remember, some fans that have not enjoyed a Favre or a Rodgers, or even a Starr!  Some NFL fans, do not have a Super Bowl.  Some NFL fans, have NEVER been to Lambeau Field!  Or Green Bay!!!  

So, enjoy the moment Packer Fans!

Go Pack Go!

Packers vs Bears, 2021 Version?

 If you are a football fan, you should study your football history!  The Bears & Packers are a major part of the NFL history!  So, some major moments over the past 100 years?

-  Bears were founded in 1919, as the Decatur Staleys

-  Packers joined the NFL in 1921

-  Rivalry began in 1921, 

-  Soldier opened in 1924, Bears did not call it home till 1971

-  Lambeau Field opened in 1957

-  Two teams have won a total of 22 NFL Championships, Packer 13 & Bears 9

-  Two teams have won 5 Super Bowls, Packers 4 & Bears 1

-  The 202 game series stands at 101 Packer wins, 95 Bear wins and 6 ties

-  People, Curly Lambeau(Packers), George Halas(Bears), Vince Lombardi(Packers).......

And, from Wikipedia:

1920s–1950s

• Bears 20, Packers 0 (November 27, 1921) – The two organizations played for the first time in 1921 at Chicago, when the Bears were nicknamed the Chicago Staleys. Bears' Gaylord "Pete" Stinchcomb scored the game's first touchdown on a 45-yard run. The Bears shut out the Packers 20–0 in their first meeting, and the rivalry was born. A year later, the Staleys changed their team name to the Bears.
• Bears 3, Packers 0 (November 23, 1924) – The Bears–Packers rivalry can be credited for the first ever ejection of players for fighting during an NFL game. The Bears' Frank Hanny and Packers' Tillie Voss were ejected before the end of the first half as verbal exchanges led to punches being thrown. Two years later, Hanny was ejected once again in a game versus Green Bay.^[2]
• Packers 7, Bears 0 (September 28, 1930) – The Packers shut out the Bears for the fifth consecutive game in this contest which is the longest such streak in the series. The streak began in 1928 when the Packers defeated the Bears 6–0 on December 9 of that season.^[3] In 1929, the Packers shut out the Bears three times, 23–0, 14–0, and 25–0 en route to their first NFL championship.^[4][5] On November 9, the Bears finally scored on the Packers although they came up short in the final score 13–12.^[6] The Packers then went on to win their second consecutive NFL title that season.^[7]
• Packers 16, Bears 14 (November 2, 1941) – The Bears came into the game undefeated and seemingly invincible. Over their first five games, they defeated their rivals by an unprecedented 157 points.^[8] However, the Packers upset them in this game which was the Bears lone defeat that season. The Associated Press wrote of the game that the "Chicago Bears myth is broken".^[9] Chicago fans made accusations that the game had been fixed,^[10] and it was suggested that the Packers had employed a "secret" defensive scheme.^[11] The Packers had built a 16–0 lead through the first three quarters of play before the Bears mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter coming up just short of a win.^[12]
• Bears 33, Packers 14 (December 14, 1941) – In the first playoff meeting between the two rivals, the Bears defeated the Packers 33–14 in a one-game-playoff to determine the Western Division championship. After the Packers, the Bears defeated the New York Giants en route to their fourth NFL Championship. Until the 2010 post-season, this remained the only playoff meeting between the teams.
• Bears 52, Packers 31 (November 6, 1955) – The Bears and Packers played the highest-scoring game of their series at Soldier Field in the 1955 season. The Bears created a huge 45–3 lead, but the Packers were able to score 28 points in the fourth quarter; by the game's end, the Bears beat the Packers 52–31, with the two teams combining for 83 points. This was also the last game that George Halas coached the Bears in against the Packers until 1958 due to a temporary break from coaching.
• Packers 21, Bears 17 (September 29, 1957) – The Packers hosted the Bears in the inaugural game of their brand new stadium, initially called New City Stadium (later changed to Lambeau Field in 1965). Among the attendees to the game included NFL Commissioner Bert Bell, United States Vice President Richard Nixon, actor James Arness, and Miss America 1958, Marilyn Van Derbur. Playing behind several times during the game, the Packers finally were able to gain the lead in the 4th quarter on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Babe Parilli to Gary Knafelc for the winning points.
• Packers 9, Bears 6 (September 27, 1959) – In the debut game of new Packers head coach, Vince Lombardi, the Packers fell behind the Bears 6–0, until Jim Taylor scored on a 5-yard touchdown run, giving the Packers the lead. Dave Hanner followed the touchdown with a safety, sacking Bears quarterback Ed Brown in the Bears' endzone to cap off the victory. The Packers celebrated their first win under their new coach by carrying him on their shoulders after the game.

1960s–1970s

• Packers 31, Bears 28 (November 12, 1961) – The Packers built up an impressive 31–7 lead in the game, but the Bears made a furious comeback with three unanswered touchdowns to make the score 31–28. Still, the Packers were able to win the game; they would go on to win the NFL Championship that year against the New York Giants.
• Packers 49, Bears 0 (September 30, 1962) – Vince Lombardi's Packers shutout George Halas' Bears, 49–0 at City Stadium, the Packers largest margin of victory in the rivalry. The team repeated that score against the Philadelphia Eagles six weeks later on Nov 11, 1962. The games remain a Packers team record for most points in a shutout victory. After again defeating the Bears later in the season, this time by a score of 38–7, the Packers won their 8th NFL championship. Motivated by the two humiliating losses to the Packers, Halas spent the off-season focusing on beating the Packers.
• Bears 26, Packers 7 (November 17, 1963) – The Bears and Packers, both with 8–1 records, met at Wrigley Field to play for first place in the Western Conference. Chicago, behind a dominant defense, got a 26–0 lead and held on to win 26–7, completing a sweep of the Packers in the 1963 season and handling Green Bay only two losses of the season. The Bears finished the season with an NFL championship victory over the New York Giants once again, claiming their 8th NFL Championship.
• Packers 23, Bears 12 (September 13, 1964) – Remembered as the "Free Kick Game" because the Packers invoked the surprising "Fair catch kick rule", which allows for a place or drop kick field goal attempt from the spot of a fair catch. Elijah Pitts fair caught a Bears punt on the Bears' 48-yard-line just before the end of the first half. Packers' coach Vince Lombardi opted to attempt a free kick. Confusion ensued as neither team had ever so much as even practiced a free kick. The Packers lined up at the line of scrimmage with Bart Starr holding for Paul Hornung. Hornung made the 52-yard field goal as the first half ended. The Packers stunned all in attendance with the kick, and won the game 23–12.
• Bears 13, Packers 10 (November 3, 1968) – The Bears got their revenge on the Packers, beating them 13–10 on a fair catch free kick by Mac Percival at the 43-yard line after a Packers punt with :26 left in the game. Percival kicked a game-winner the week before against the Minnesota Vikings.^[13]

1980s

• Packers 12, Bears 6 (September 7, 1980) – With the score tied 6–6 and the game in overtime, Packers kicker Chester Marcol was called in to attempt a game-winning field goal. The Bears' Alan Page managed to break through and block the field goal, with the football hitting his helmet. The ball rebounded to Marcol, and, carrying the ball, he crossed the goal line to score the winning touchdown for the Packers.
• Bears 61, Packers 7^[14] (December 7, 1980) – In the game, the Bears scored eight offensive touchdowns. After the Packers had suffered the second-most lopsided defeat in their history, Bart Starr charged across the field to confront Bears coach Neill Armstrong. Starr was upset because Bears defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan had the Bears blitzing from all angles in the fourth quarter, even after the Packers inserted backup quarterback David Whitehurst with the score 48–7.^[15] "Bart Starr was upset," Armstrong said after the game. "He did the talking and I did the listening. He said he'd rather not hear what I had to say, something to that effect, and he left." Two years later, Bill Tobin, the Bears' vice president of player personnel at the time, revealed that he had been instructed by general manager Jim Finks during the off-season to study film and decode the Packers' signal system for relaying plays to the quarterback. Tobin, who had been in the Packers' front office during the Devine years, had been fired by Starr in 1975 as part of a wholesale housecleaning. "I went at it like a tiger does good meat," Tobin said at the time. "We wanted 100 points," defensive end Dan Hampton said. "It couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of pricks."
• Bears 23, Packers 7 (October 21, 1985) – The world was introduced to rookie defensive lineman William "The Refrigerator" Perry on Monday Night Football.^[16] In goal line situations, Bears head coach Mike Ditka used Perry, who weighed roughly 300 lbs. in the fullback position. Twice, Perry led the way for Bears legend Walter Payton on two- and one-yard touchdown runs. In the second quarter, "the Fridge" was given the ball and plunged into the end zone for one of the heaviest touchdowns in NFL history. The Bears won 23–7, and "The Fridge" was born.
• Bears 16, Packers 10 (November 10, 1985) – Before the game, the Packers placed horse manure in the Bears locker room.^[16] Two weeks after the Monday Night Game, tempers reached a boiling point in the rivalry. Packers cornerback Mark Lee was ejected after he and Bears running back Walter Payton went flying over a bench in the first quarter.^[17] A few minutes later, Packers safety Ken Stills was flagged for leveling Matt Suhey, Payton's backfield mate, well after the whistle.
• Bears 12, Packers 10 (November 23, 1986) – In Week 12 of the 1986 season Green Bay defensive tackle Charles Martin wore a towel with a hit list of specific Bears numbers written on it, such as No. 34 Walter Payton, No. 9 Jim McMahon, and others.^[18] Following a McMahon interception Martin came up from behind and body slammed him to the turf,^[17] separating McMahon's shoulder, ending the quarterback's season. Martin was suspended for two games, at the time the longest suspension in NFL history.^[19]
• Packers 14, Bears 13 (November 6, 1989) – This became known as the "Instant Replay Game".^[20] Packers quarterback Don Majkowski led the Packers to a comeback with an apparent game-winning touchdown pass to wide receiver Sterling Sharpe. The play was called a touchdown, but line judge Jim Quirk had called a penalty on Majkowski for being beyond the line of scrimmage when he threw the pass. A nervous and tense crowd at Lambeau Field waited as the call went up to the instant replay official. Several minutes later, the call came down and the touchdown was awarded as recorded by instant replay, providing the Packers their first victory over the Bears since 1984. This led to a change in the "illegal forward pass" rule which defined when to consider a passer past the line of scrimmage.^{[citation needed]} The rule used to be judged by the position of the ball instead of the passer's feet. Bears coach Mike Ditka ordered that an asterisk be placed next to the result in all team publications.

1990s

• Packers 33, Bears 6 (October 31, 1994) – Playing with a severely bruised hip in a driving rainstorm at Soldier Field on Halloween Night, Brett Favre rushes for a career-high 58 yards – including a 36-yard touchdown in the second quarter when he leaped over a Bears defender.^[21] After the game Favre said "Maybe Gale Sayers (who had his number retired that night along with Dick Butkus) got excited about that one".^[22] With a win in that game, Green Bay began a ten-game winning streak against the Bears as Favre was considered a "Bear-killer"^[23] by members of the Chicago Bears media and fans alike.^[24] This game marked the beginning of two streaks in the series. The Packers won ten consecutive games in the series (the longest between the two clubs) and also eleven consecutive away games – a streak that did not end until the 2005 season.^[25] Throwback uniforms were worn by both teams.
• Packers 27, Bears 24 (September 11, 1995) – Packers QB Brett Favre throws a 99-yard touchdown pass to Robert Brooks – one of only 13 times in NFL history a 99-yard TD pass has ever been completed.^[21] Green Bay stormed to a 27–7 lead and had 431 yards on offense compared to Chicago's 243, Although Chicago scored 17 unanswered at the end, they came up just short as time expired. The game was featured nationally on Monday Night Football.^[26]
• Packers 35, Bears 28 (November 12, 1995) – Coming into this much-anticipated matchup, first place in the NFC Central division was on the line. A victory would give the Packers the same record as the Bears (6–4) and would mean a series sweep, giving Green Bay the head-to-head tie-breaker should the teams be tied at season's end. Brett Favre had a badly sprained ankle, which kept his status for the game uncertain. Not only did Favre start, but he had his best game of the season up to that point. He completed 25 of 33 passes for 336 yards and a career-high five touchdowns. Bears QB Erik Kramer also had a solid game, going 23 of 38 for 318 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. The teams combined for 800 yards of offense. The game was not decided until Kramer threw an incomplete pass in the Packers' end zone on the final play of the game.^[27]
• Packers 24, Bears 23 (October 12, 1997) – In one of the more back-and-forth contests in the rivalry, the Bears got off to a 10–0 lead thanks in part to a rushing touchdown by Raymont Harris in the first quarter before the Packers came back to take a 14–10 halftime lead due to a rushing score by Dorsey Levens. In the third quarter, Erik Kramer ran for a three-yard touchdown to put the Bears back in front, 17–14. However, in the waning seconds of the third quarter, Brett Favre connected with Mark Chmura for a touchdown. The Packers led, 21–17, then extended their lead to 24–17. The Bears marched down the field and scored when Kramer connected with Chris Penn with less than two minutes left. In an "all-or-nothing" maneuver, the Bears went for a two-point conversion. The pass fell incomplete, essentially preserving the win for the Packers.^[28]
• Bears 14, Packers 13 (November 7, 1999) – The Bears defeated the Packers for the first time since 1993 on a blocked field goal by defensive tackle Bryan Robinson and was the first game in the series played after the death of Walter Payton. This was also the game in which Brett Favre surpassed Ron Jaworski's record for most consecutive starts by a quarterback.

2000s

• Packers 34, Bears 21 (October 7, 2002) – This Monday night contest at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois, was the only Bears home game in the entire series that was played outside of Chicago. Brett Favre threw an 85-yard TD pass to Driver in the first quarter—the second longest of his career to that point (both against the Bears). At the time, Soldier Field was undergoing a major renovation; the renovated stadium would later reopen in 2003 between the Bears and Packers.^[29]
• Bears 26, Packers 0 (September 10, 2006) – In the opening week of the season, the Bears handed Brett Favre his first shutout in his 16-year career, winning 26–0 in Green Bay. The Bears' offense, criticized for being conservative, opened the game with a 49-yard touchdown pass from Rex Grossman to Bernard Berrian. This also marked the first game in which the Bears' Devin Hester returned a punt for a touchdown.^[30]
• Bears 20, Packers 17 (December 22, 2008) – The coldest game in recorded Bears history featured a temperature at kickoff of 2 degrees and −13 degrees with wind chill. The Packers traveled to Soldier Field on a Monday night, where a victory against the Bears would have ended their playoff hopes. The Bears had to rally from a 14–3 score at the half. The Bears were able to score after a turnover on a Packers punt return. The Packers were on the verge of finishing a game-winning drive when Mason Crosby's field goal attempt was blocked by Alex Brown, pushing the game to overtime. The Bears took the first possession in overtime and won the game on a 38-yard field goal by Robbie Gould.

2010s

• Bears 20, Packers 17 (September 27, 2010) – The 2–0 Packers traveled to Chicago for an early season showdown with the 2–0 Bears for the NFC North lead. Aaron Rodgers threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Greg Jennings to open the scoring in the first quarter. Mason Crosby made it 10–0 with 4:45 left in the second quarter, but Jay Cutler drove the Bears down and connected with Greg Olsen for a touchdown with 31 seconds left. Late in the 3rd quarter, Julius Peppers blocked a 37-yard field goal attempt by Mason Crosby to keep it 10–7 Packers. Devin Hester then opened the 4th quarter with a 62-yard punt return for a touchdown to make it 14–10 Bears. Aaron Rodgers led the Packers on a drive that resulted in him getting into the end zone on a 3-yard scamper to make it 17–14. However, the Packers were left to regret a sloppy performance, as they recorded a team record 18 penalties. The Bears took advantage, with Robbie Gould kicking a field goal with 4:03 left and then 0:08 left to claim a 20–17 victory. This would be the last time the Bears beat the Packers at Soldier Field until the 2018 season.
• Packers 10, Bears 3 (January 2, 2011) – The 9–6 Packers hosted the 11–4 Bears in a must-win game in order to enter the playoffs. With both teams coming off of high scoring victories, a shoot-out was anticipated. However, the frozen tundra yielded a defensive battle, as the teams were tied 3–3 late in the fourth quarter. With 2:50 remaining, Aaron Rodgers hit tight end Donald Lee for a 1-yard touchdown pass to take a 10–3 lead.^[31]
• Packers 21, Bears 14 (January 23, 2011, NFC Championship Game) – This was the first time the two teams had met in the playoffs since 1941. The Green Bay Packers started off strong with an early 14–0 lead on an Aaron Rodgers rushing TD. Bears' quarterback, Jay Cutler, was injured late in the second quarter, and was unable to continue. After Bears' quarterback Todd Collins proved ineffective, going 0 for 4 on two drives, the Bears brought in Caleb Hanie, who led them to a 1-yard touchdown run by Chester Taylor to make it 14–7. On the very next Bears drive, however, Hanie would be intercepted by B. J. Raji, who took it to the endzone to make it 21–7 late in the game. The Bears would answer with another TD. With one more drive to tie the game, Hanie threw his second interception, this time to Sam Shields to end the game and send Green Bay to the Super Bowl.^[32] The Packers went on to win Super Bowl XLV over the Pittsburgh Steelers, becoming the NFC's first sixth-seeded team (and second wild card team) to win the Super Bowl.^[33]
• Bears 27, Packers 20 (November 4, 2013) – Heading into this Monday Night match-up at Lambeau Field, Bears' quarterback Jay Cutler was sidelined with a groin injury. Thus, backup quarterback Josh McCown played in Cutler's stead. In the first drive of the game, Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers was sacked by Shea McClellin, which fractured Rodgers' left collarbone and sent him out of the game. McCown threw for 272 yards and two touchdowns, and no interceptions. Packers backup quarterback Seneca Wallace threw for 114 yards and no touchdowns, with one interception. The Bears won the game 27–20 to end a six-game losing streak to the Packers. Aaron Rodgers would be out for 7 weeks, eventually returning in Week 17 against the Bears for the NFC North title.
• Packers 33, Bears 28 (December 29, 2013) – In a game with the NFC North Championship on the line, the Packers faced off against the Bears. The game was notable for a Rodgers fumble to touchdown that occurred when most players from both teams believed the play to be an incomplete pass. The game also showcased an offensive shootout in the second half, including Bears quarterback Jay Cutler throwing for two touchdowns. However, the Packers ended their last drive converting on 4th down three times, most notably in a long 4th and 8 completion to Randall Cobb for a touchdown that would win the game and deliver Green Bay its 3rd consecutive NFC North title. The loss would keep the Bears out of the playoffs.
• Packers 55, Bears 14 (November 6, 2014) – Aaron Rodgers tied an NFL record with 6 touchdown passes in the first half in a blowout win for the Packers, the most lopsided win for the Packers over the Bears since 1962 and their highest point total in a game since 1945. Bears' kickoff returner Chris Williams tied an NFL record with 10 kickoff returns in a game, one of which went for a 101-yard touchdown.
• Bears 17, Packers 13 (November 26, 2015) – On the night of Brett Favre's jersey retirement, the Bears met the Packers at Lambeau Field for a Thanksgiving match-up. With a 4–6 record and having lost to the Packers earlier in the year, Chicago entered the game as huge underdogs. While the Bears' offense stalled in the first quarter, the Packers took a 7-point lead on a touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to Eddie Lacy. In the second quarter, the Bears scored two touchdowns, while the Packers settled for two field goals, making the score 14–13 at halftime. The Bears scored one more field goal in the fourth quarter while their defense pitched a second half shutout, including a goal line stand in the game's final seconds.
• Packers 30, Bears 27 (December 18, 2016) – With the Packers needing a win to move within a game of the NFC North lead, they entered Soldier Field during one of the coldest Chicago Bears games on record. Tied 10–10 at halftime, Green Bay surged to a 27–10 advantage in the third quarter, before the Bears made a run of their own in the fourth quarter to bring them within 3 points and in striking distance of the Green Bay end zone. Green Bay held the Bears to a field goal after a goal-line stand. During the Packers' ensuing possession, quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed a 60-yard pass to Jordy Nelson which led to a Packers field goal as time expired.
• Packers 24, Bears 23 (September 9, 2018) – After an off-season in which both teams made massive player acquisitions, most notably the Bears having acquired linebacker Khalil Mack, the two teams met on Sunday Night Football for a highly anticipated Week 1 matchup. The Bears struck first with a 2-yard touchdown run by quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. After the two teams exchanged three and outs, Chicago ended the 1st quarter up 7–0. The Bears would later add to the lead with a Cody Parkey field goal to make it 10–0. Late in the second quarter, defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris knocked Aaron Rodgers out with a knee injury and the Bears capitalized with Mack getting a pick-six off Packers backup DeShone Kizer. Rodgers would return to the game in third quarter down 20–0, and led the Packers on a scoring drive culminating in a Mason Crosby field goal to end the third quarter with the Bears leading 20–3. However, the Packers outscored the Bears 21–3 off three Rodgers touchdown passes, to take a 24–23 lead with just over 2 minutes left. The Packers would hang on to win by that score. The 17-point fourth-quarter comeback for the Packers represented their largest in franchise history. However, the teams would head in opposite directions going forward.
• Bears 24, Packers 17 (December 16, 2018) – Following their Week 1 meeting, the Bears and Packers had gone in opposite directions during the 2018 season. The 5-7-1 Packers and 9-4 Bears met in Soldier Field for a Week 15 showdown with major implications in the playoff race for both teams. The Bears needed a win to clinch the NFC North, while a Packers victory would keep their slim playoff hopes alive in the NFC playoff race. Led by a dominant defensive performance and two touchdown passes from Mitchell Trubisky, the Bears would win the game 24-17 (their first win over the Packers at Soldier Field since 2010) and clinched the NFC North while eliminating the Packers from playoff contention. Linebacker Khalil Mack would sack Aaron Rodgers 2.5 times while safety Eddie Jackson intercepted Rodgers late in the fourth quarter to seal the Bears victory (and also breaking Rodgers' NFL-record streak of 402 consecutive passes without an interception). The Packers would finish the season 6-9-1 (their first time since 1990–91 with back-to-back losing seasons) while the Bears would finish 12–4, losing in the Wild Card round to the Eagles in the Double Doink Game.
• Packers 21, Bears 13 (December 15, 2019) – The Bears and Packers would meet at Lambeau Field in a Week 15 matchup that, like the 2018 matchup, would have major playoff implications for both teams. The Packers needed a win to keep their hopes for an NFC North title alive, while the Bears needed a win plus a Vikings loss to stay alive in the playoff hunt. After the Packers raced to a 21–3 lead in the third quarter, the Bears would score 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 21–13. It took until the game's final play to seal the game, as the final play of the game was a botched lateral by the Bears that was recovered by the Packers' Tramon Williams. In a role reversal of 2018, the Packers eliminated the Bears from playoff contention with the win and clinched the NFC North a week later with a Monday Night win at the Vikings. The Packers would finish the season 13–3, falling to the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game, while the Bears finished the season 8-8.