Unlike Cairo when he attempted a Lambeau Leap after his game winning FG, the curse against the Packers has been lifted!
For the first time in 12 games, the Chicago Bears have beaten the Green Bay Packers, and for the first time since Jay Cutler and Tracy Porter spoiled the “Brett Favre Thanksgiving Game,” the Bears beat the Packers in Green Bay. And the people rejoiced. Here are my notes:
Offense:
- Thomas Brown must have caught wind of Luke Getsy being in town for this one because he called enough screen passes to make the Bears' former OC blush. About 5-10 too many, in my opinion.
- Coleman Shelton, as per usual, was pretty immediately victimized in this one and continued to be all game. Though he did have a key block from the pivot on D’Andre Swift’s TD run, one must assume the screen heavy attack was due to the rag-tag offensive line in attempt to protect Caleb.
- That said, I thought Caleb had one of his cleanest and most complete games from start to finish with what he had to work with. Screen passes be damned, but when he had a chance to get the ball downfield, especially when it mattered most late in the 4th quarter, Caleb Williams reminded both Bears and Packers faithful that there is a new QB in town. Who happens to be undefeated at Lambeau.
- I will never understand the rationale to give Cole Kmet a screen pass. Far too lumbering for such a player-dependent play.
- If you are going to call a screen, or throw a pass down field, DJ Moore is your guy. His ability to read blocks, break tackles and explode through openings is top notch.
- Though the run game was not “game-breaking,” they stuck with the run and it kept the Packers D honest. Would you believe Swift had 20 carries in this one? Only the 2nd time all season he has amassed that many. Oh, and on a completely unrelated note, the Bears are 2-0 in those contests. (The first being against the Panthers in week 5 when he had 21 carries) If we can get a competent complement to Swift next season, we will be set.
- I do not understand the rationale behind going for two, being awarded a penalty (pretty sure the first time that has ever happened for us this season on a failed 2-point attempt), only to then kick the extra point.
- I also do not understand trusting Keenan Allen to read a defense and throw the ball downfield into coverage. Did you know he was also supposed to throw on the aforementioned failed 2-point attempt? #facepalm
- Marcedes Lewis is, by all accounts, a locker room fixture. Great guy. But if he returns next season, I will be pretty concerned. Another penalty in limited action continues to be a theme for him. Without providing many positives.
- Edgerrin Cooper is going to be a problem.
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