Packers Clinch NFC Wild Card Spot with Win Over Bears
Going into this game everyone knew it was a win-or-go-home situation for the Green Bay Packers. Thankfully for the Packers, they were able to get it done at home and get a 17-9 victory over the Bears to clinch the final NFC Wild Card spot. While this Bears season may be over, the journey to begin the process for a better next one begins now. The Packers will now head to Dallas to take on quarterback Dak Prescott and the Cowboys next Sunday in the first round of the playoffs. Let’s take a look at how Green Bay won this game.
The Chicago Bears would be the first team to put points on the scoreboard in this game as their offense was able to set up a 50-yard field goal for kicker Cairo Santos, which he made to put Chicago up 3-0 early. The Green Bay Packers' first drive would not be as successful as while their offense was able to set up a field goal for their kicker, Anders Carlson missed it from 41 yards out. However, on the Packers' next drive, their offense was able to score their first points of the game as quarterback Jordan Love connected with wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks for a 10-yard touchdown to make the score of the game 7-3 Green Bay. Santos would knock down another field goal for the Bears on their next drive, this one from the 39-yard line, to make the score of the game 7-6 as both teams headed into the locker room.
The Packers would score another touchdown on the first drive of the second half as Love connected with Wicks again, this time for a 12-yard touchdown to make the score of the game 14-6 Packers. Green Bay’s offense would make their first big mistake of the game as Love fumbled on their next drive. The fumble was forced by Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson and recovered by Chicago safety Jaquan Brisker. The Bears’ offense was able to capitalize off of this great play by their defense and set up a 35-yard field goal attempt for Santos, which he was able to knock down to make the score of the game 14-9. Carlson would make a 25-yard field goal on the Packers' next drive with nearly eleven minutes left in the game, but no one would score again in this one as the Packers held on to beat the Bears 17-9 on Sunday and clinch the last NFC wild card spot available.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love only missed five of his pass attempts in this game, going twenty-seven for thirty-two and throwing for 316 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Aaron Jones had twenty-two carries for 111 yards, while wide receiver Jayden Reed had four receptions for 112 yards. Wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks also had two receiving touchdowns in the game. Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields also only missed five of his pass attempts in this game, going eleven for sixteen and throwing for 148 yards. Wide receiver DJ Moore was Fields’ prime receiving target in the game, finishing with four catches for 64 yards.
