Packers Edge Bears to Continue Streak
The Green Bay Packers continued their dominant run against the Chicago Bears with a nail-biting 20-19 victory, marking their 11th consecutive win over their storied rivals. This triumph keeps the Packers firmly in control in their long-standing rivalry, a trend that began when Matt LaFleur took over as head coach in 2019.
This game, played during Week 11 of the season, was not just another victory; it was a testament to the strategic prowess and resilience of the Packers, who improved their record to an impressive 7-3. The Bears, under the guidance of Caleb Williams at quarterback, fought valiantly but were ultimately undone by a key special teams play.
A Game Defined by Special Teams
Special teams play often separates competitive teams in close encounters, and this game was no exception. A pivotal moment unfolded when Karl Brooks blocked a 46-yard field goal attempt by Bears kicker Cairo Santos. The block proved crucial as it denied the Bears a potential lead. Brooks reflected on the play, sharing, “To be honest, I didn't see anything. Same formation. I got penetration, just wanted it more. Got a hand up.”
Brooks’ effort was a culmination of strategic preparation and determination. “I'm visualizing myself blocking the kick,” he recounted. “Like I said, I just wanted it more. I just fired off the ball and wanted to get a win. It was just [an] unbelievable feeling. At first when I touched it, I didn't think I got enough of it, and it fell short. That's when I really celebrated. ... It was cool. It was a good experience.”
The Mind Behind the Block
Kenny Clark, the Packers’ standout defensive tackle with three Pro Bowl selections, highlighted the preparation behind the block. “We talked about T.J. [Slaton] or KB [Karl Brooks] blocking the kick all week. They've got holes in their field goal protection, and a couple of them got close. .... It was a problem.”
The Packers' special teams coordinator, Rich Bisaccia, seemed prescient in his pre-game comments. Head coach Matt LaFleur recalled, “Rich [Bisaccia] said to our team last night, 'I will not understand if we come out of this game without a block, on a field goal or a PAT.'” It’s clear the coaching staff had identified and targeted vulnerabilities in the Bears’ special teams, a strategy that paid off handsomely.
Bears Fight but Fall Short
On the Bears' side, Cairo Santos showcased his skills with successful field goals from 53 yards and 27 yards, but his contributions were not enough to secure the win. Despite a strong showing from quarterback Caleb Williams and a solid overall effort, the Bears found themselves narrowly missing out.
Xavier McKinney, reflecting on the Packers’ defensive stand, noted, “We saw that through the middle we could get a good push and we believed that the guys that we have were going to play big and play strong up front. We were able to get that push that we needed. We got it when we needed in a big-time situation.”
Ultimately, the Packers' ability to seize key moments and convert strategic preparation into execution was the difference in this fiercely contested match. The victory not only extends their winning streak but also reinforces their position in the league under the astute leadership of coach Matt LaFleur.