Bears rally to beat Packers in OT, 20-17
Photo 
Green Bay Packers place kicker Mason Crosby, left, attempts a field goal as Chicago Bears defensive end Alex Brown (96) blocks the kick during the fourth quarter of their NFL football game at Soldier Field in Chicago Monday, Dec. 22, 2008.
CHICAGO — Alex Brown reached up and saved the Chicago Bears’ season.
Brown blocked Mason Crosby’s 38-yard attempt with 18 seconds to go in the fourth quarter Monday night, forcing overtime against the Green Bay Packers.
And once the Bears got to the extra period, reliable Robbie Gould kicked a 38-yard field goal for a 20-17 win.
Now, after the icy victory, the Bears still arel in the running for the NFL playoffs.
“We got a great push from a lot of different people. I was just the one who got my hand on it,” Brown said.
“We were saying on the sidelines that we have to block it. I got through pretty good, but I didn’t really think that was going to happen. You just go as hard as you can and see if you can get a hand up, and hopefully you can get it.”
The Bears (9-6), who stayed in contention for the NFC North over the weekend when Atlanta beat Minnesota, won their third straight and rallied from a 14-3 halftime deficit to do it.
If the Bears win at Houston on Sunday and the Vikings lose at home to the Giants, Chicago captures the NFC North. Minnesota holds the tiebreaker over the Bears, so if both teams win on the final Sunday, the Vikings win the division. But Chicago still is alive for a wild-card berth, too.
“Everything fell right, gave us a lot of momentum and energy coming into this game. We just had to carry it all the way through,” quarterback Kyle Orton said.
And the Bears had to overcome the elements, too, as did the Packers.
The temperature at Soldier Field was announced at 2 degrees, making it the coldest home game in Bears’ history since records started being kept in 1963. The wind chill was 13 below, the second-lowest in recorded team annals, so the longtime rivals known for their ability to play in cold weather were tested by the elements.
Orton hit a 17-yard pass to Greg Olsen and a 15-yard penalty on Green Bay’s Aaron Rouse for a horse collar tackle gave the Bears the ball at the Green Bay 35 in overtime. A third-down pass of 14 yards to Matt Forte got it to the Green Bay 20 to set up the winning kick—Gould’s second straight game-winner in overtime.
“You know it’s going to be chilly, the ground is going to be hard. You’ve just got to go out there and do your job. There’s no excuses for missing,” Gould said
Green Bay (5-10) dominated the first half, but lost its fifth straight after routing the Bears 37-3 at Lambeau Field in mid-November.
“It’s disappointing. It’s tough. It’s frustrating,” Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers said.
Forte’s 3-yard TD with 3:11 left lifted the Bears into a 17-17 tie. The score came one play after Forte just made a first down on a fourth-and-2 run.
But on the ensuing kickoff, Green Bay’s Will Blackmon returned a short kick 32 yards and a personal foul on Chicago’s Adrian Peterson for tackling him out of bounds, put the ball on the Bears’ 35.
Rodgers’ third-down pass of nine yards to James Jones gave the Packers a first down at the Bears’ 24 with two minutes left.
The Packers ran down the clock behind the running of Ryan Grant, moving to the 20 and trying to set up a game-winner from Crosby, but Brown blocked the kick.
“I have been hitting the ball well this year, and I have been making kicks, and it just didn’t fall our way this game,” Crosby said. “Everything has to be right, and I just didn’t finish my end of the deal.”
In the first half, Rodgers had plenty of time to throw and completed 16 of 24 passes for 176 yards, throwing TD passes to Greg Jennings and Grant as Green Bay moved ahead 14-3.
He finished 24-of-39 for 260 yards.
The Bears, meanwhile, sputtered and were outgained 221-48 in the first two quarters as their playoff hopes were on the verge of evaporating into the cold air.
“There was a lot of talk going on in the offensive huddle ‘we’ve got to do it now.’ We weren’t playing good,” Orton said.
“We weren’t running the ball. We weren’t throwing the ball. We just weren’t playing well at all. We just said, ’This is our season. It’s coming down to this. And if we don’t do anything, we’re done.”’
Charles Woodson’s sixth interception of the season and a return to the 30 helped the Packers move to the 5, but the Bears held and forced a 28-yard field goal from Crosby that put Green Bay up 17-10 early in the final quarter.
Forte, who had only 20 yards rushing through the first three quarters, broke off a 28-yard run to the Packers’ 23 late in the final quarter. Forte had two more carries to give Chicago a first down at the 12.
Two more runs by Forte and a pass to Devin Hester left the Bears with a fourth-and-2 from the Packers’ 4 with just under four minutes left. Forte just got the first down and the Bears were able to tie it.
Chicago got a break on its first possession of the third quarter when Brad Maynard’s punt hit Green Bay’s Jarrett Bush, who was blocking on the play, and the Bears’ Jason Davis recovered at the 27. Three plays after a 21-yard pass to Desmond Clark, Orton hit Olsen on a 3-yard TD pass, making it 14-10.
Using some trickery, the Packers moved in for a 7-0 lead with 6:21 left in the second quarter.
The Packers faked a punt on a fourth-and-2 from the Bears’ 37, snapping the ball to backup quarterback Matt Flynn, who carried six yards for the first down.
From there Grant carried four straight times for 24 yards to the 7. And on a third down, Rogers found Jennings with the TD pass that capped the 14-play, 91-yard drive.
Dec 26, 2008 at 11:17 a.m.
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I like Favre and all and he's a hell of a quarterback. I think the Packers were wrong in letting him go the way they did. But, I really don't miss the circus after every season about weather or not he's going to retire.
Dec 25, 2008 at 9:24 p.m.
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Spunkmeyer i talked to Brett this afternoon and he is going to play next year ,so not to worry he will be back .
Dec 24, 2008 at 11:27 p.m.
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All that matters is the pack covered the +4 line. A VERY EASY win vs the spread, which is all that really matters at this point! This week, you can just roll all your winnings into DETROIT +10! This will be an easy cover by the Lions, and no real surprise if they win out right.
Dec 24, 2008 at 9:19 p.m.
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Merry Christmas and a happy New Year
to all the Jets fans .
Dec 24, 2008 at 8:46 p.m.
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Well Yeah. That's what I thought .
Dec 24, 2008 at 8:10 p.m.
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Yeah. That's what I thought.
Dec 24, 2008 at 8:07 p.m.
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Ya what Kleej said cuz he da man, and you can take that too the bank . WOW got outa that one in pretty good style .
Dec 24, 2008 at 7:59 p.m.
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Spunkmeyer let me talk to Brett tonight and he will give me the straight up or down on this.
Dec 24, 2008 at 7:31 p.m.
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klick - Spreading rumors or stating fact? And if it's fact, I'd like to know where you got your information.
Dec 24, 2008 at 6:09 p.m.
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Oh ya Bret-Favray is going to retire again .
Dec 24, 2008 at 5:37 p.m.
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The bears still suck
Dec 24, 2008 at 1:01 p.m.
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curtain-- If the Bears and Vikings both lose, Minnesota wins the division. No there's no wildcard scenario from the NFC NORTH if the Bears win the division. I love my BEARS but the NFC NORTH is a major suckfest this year. Green Bay definately did their part in helping with that.
Dec 24, 2008 at 12:47 p.m.
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curtincall anything you can do to keep Minnesota out of the game will be appreciated
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consider it done you can take that to the Bank.
Dec 24, 2008 at 9:27 a.m.
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You are going to have to play better than you did when you played us to beat the Texans. That is just a fact. How ever it seems very unlikely that both Dallas and Tampa will lose. So most likely you are done on Sunday anyway, right along with the Packers.
Dec 24, 2008 at 9:20 a.m.
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I think beating the Packers and the Saints was a good pick me up! Maybe now we have a shot at the playoffs! Texans here we come!!
Dec 24, 2008 at 7:15 a.m.
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O.K.. I really don't think vikings will be the Giants. So if they don't beat the Giants will they be done as well, or will they get the wild card? I am assuming and praying the Giants will beat the vikings. So if the Bears beat Houston and vikings lose to Giants, the Bears would take the division title. I guess my question is if thats the out come , Bears take division title, but Dallas and Tampa wins does anyone from our division get a wild card? It sounds like no? What if the Bears and vikings both lose on Sunday?
Dec 24, 2008 at 6:55 a.m.
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curtain--
The Bears have to win regardless. For the division title, Minnesota must lose to the Giants. For a wild card spot, both Dallas and Tampa Bay must lose for the Bears to have a chance at that.
Dec 24, 2008 at 5:43 a.m.
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Maybe Klick could explain the possible different out comes that are possible this Sunday. If the Bears win,, do they need someone to lose to get in? Like the vikings? I don't see the vikings beating the Giants. So who would have to win or lose to get in.
Dec 24, 2008 at 5:40 a.m.
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Klick, Comment about the Cubs? I don't dislike them.. I don't follow baseball. I don't even really pay attention to the Brewers. I don't mind the Bears. I like Brian U. Like I said before if the Bears make it to the playoffs I will cheer for the Bears. As for them not being that good when they went to the Super Bowl. Getting to the Super Bowl is about talent not luck. The Bears played like crap the other night, they just played a little less crappy than the Packers. Actually they just finished the game stronger than the Packers. Nothing new for us Packer fans to sit and watch them implode in the fourth quarter almost expected. They are going to have a lot of work to do in the off season. Our defense went from being really good last year,, to where did they go this year?? But you know what no team has winning seasons every year. No one. As a true Packer fan I will continue to cheer for them as long as they play.. I do not BOOOO as I heard some Bear fans doing to their team,, now that is class. HOWEVER since the Packers are done for the season after Sunday I will cheer for the Bears , anything you can do to keep Minnesota out of the game will be appreciated.
Go Packers ... Please do not get beat by Detroit.. I feel bad for Detroit but not that bad. After this Sunday Go Bears.. if they are still hanging in there.
Dec 24, 2008 at 12:43 a.m.
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Klick: LOLLLLLLOOOLLLOL!! Thanks for the great story.
Dec 24, 2008 at 12:06 a.m.
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The last superbowl Da Bears played made history for a goal in first 18 seconds of game if I remember correctly. So I would say even though they lost they made history. Their going to play the Dolphins in Superbowl. I still believe in miricles. Da Bears.
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:15 p.m.
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LOL LOL LOL now I know why I like you!!
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:11 p.m.
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A LITTLE HUMOR
Yesterday I was buying a large bag of Purina dog chow for Tirol the wonder dog at woodmans Ito Supermarket here in Beloit and was about to the check out when a woman behind me asked if I had a dog!!
What did she think I had an elephant?
So since I was having a bad day and with little else to do, on impulse, I told her that no, I didn't have a dog, and that I was starting the Purina Diet again.
Although I probably shouldn't, because I'd ended up in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 20 lbs before I awakened in an intensive care ward with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IVs in both arms.
I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet and that the way that it works is to load your pants pockets with Purina nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry and that the food is nutritionally complete so I was going to try it again.
(I have to mention here that practically everyone in the line was by now enthralled with my story.)
Horrified, she asked if I ended up in intensive care because the dog food poisoned me.
I told her no; I stepped off a curb to sniff an Irish Setter's butt and a car hit us both.
I thought the guy behind her was going to have a heart attack, he was laughing so hard! The lady behind him was crying as she laughed
Dec 23, 2008 at 8:35 p.m.
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curtaincall--
the last time the Bears went to the Super Bowl they weren't that good! Point is, they still got there. Kind of like the Packers last year. 13-3 and two losses to "yours truly". They were exposed before they got into the playoffs and died. However, they still got to the playoffs. The goal is to win. Period.
Dec 23, 2008 at 8:30 p.m.
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AWW Now I feel 'special' too! One complement a day and you give it to little ole me. ;)
Dec 23, 2008 at 8:19 p.m.
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User Profile » msleo Joined: Nov. 18, 2008
you're rather new but seem like a nice person
complement of the day.
Dec 23, 2008 at 8:18 p.m.
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LOL LOL LOL OH that name, I thought you ment your 'bloging' name. LOL LOL LOL Thanks for the smile!
Dec 23, 2008 at 8:10 p.m.
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The first thing you do is drive or fly depending on what your smoking to Madison go to the Capital talk to this nice lady NOT THE IRS and tell her ya want to change you're name she sez ok gime 5.00 and the rest is history .
Dec 23, 2008 at 8:02 p.m.
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hey klick - how do you change your name? I was accused of doing that a few weeks back but have no clue how you do that. Please enlighten me!
Dec 23, 2008 at 7:58 p.m.
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DaBears!!!!! I have fond family memories of the rival between the Packers and DaBears. With everyone voting for the Packers I felt sorry for DaBears, mind you I was only 6-7 years old, but I've stuck by them. Even when they suck!!
Dec 23, 2008 at 7:38 p.m.
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curtaincall remember what you told me a couple of months ago , no you don't cuz you forgot .and yes i changed names.
Dec 23, 2008 at 7:32 p.m.
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curtaincall you shouldn't mess with my head .
do you like the Cubs ?
Dec 23, 2008 at 7:04 p.m.
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rlms Yes a win is a win.. Remember that on Sunday when you are saying***** who gives a rats donkey the Bears won . that should cover me ..
Dec 23, 2008 at 7:03 p.m.
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And remember an ass is a donkey .
Dec 23, 2008 at 7:01 p.m.
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rlms Yes a win is a win.. Remember that on Sunday when you are saying***** who gives a rats ass the Bears won .
Dec 23, 2008 at 6:50 p.m.
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Last night was a good night for me. I saw the Packers lose. Knowing that some of the Packer fans take a game way too serious made me smile.
Dec 23, 2008 at 6:33 p.m.
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Why would any of you Vikings, Bears Or Packers want to see you team in the play offs, for any of you it will be one and done.
None of them are good enough to go anywhere.This is a very weak division and nothing to be proud of.
Dec 23, 2008 at 6:30 p.m.
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Yes a win is a win.. Remember that on Sunday when you are saying. " we were so close." .
Dec 23, 2008 at 6:24 p.m.
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Doesn't matter how bad the Bears played they still won.
Dec 23, 2008 at 6:12 p.m.
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The Bears are not going anywhere. I doubt very much they will get past Houston as they are showing to be a real team to be contended with. The Bears really have what going for them? They played like crap last night and the last few games and are lucky for the record they have. The Bears are not going any where until they get there quarter back issue figured out. How ridiculous they did not deal with this two seasons ago. So enjoy the win last night your celebrating will be over when you play Houston.
Dec 23, 2008 at 6:06 p.m.
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If I was a whiner..I would have nothing nice to say about the Bears. But not to worry they will be joining the Packers soon enough won't they. At least we pounded on the Bears when visited Green Bay.. The Bears, were more like mice than Bears last night. You should be embarrassed.. Mice.. squeak, squeak...
Dec 23, 2008 at 5:26 p.m.
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Oh i forgot Go Bears .
Dec 23, 2008 at 5:25 p.m.
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curtaincall you sound like a Packer whine whine and whine buck it up and suffer (priceless) hahahahahaha
Dec 23, 2008 at 5:19 p.m.
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It was bitterly cold here. One of my co workers braved the cold and went to the game and are sure glad they did.
Dec 23, 2008 at 4:50 p.m.
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What a great night in Chicago.
Dec 23, 2008 at 4:43 p.m.
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I'm just happy every time the Packers lose. Doesn't matter who else wins.
Dec 23, 2008 at 4:23 p.m.
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what is just stupid about the vikings is any time they got some yards on Sunday they were doing their little jigs on the field. Its like ' hey idiots' you are still behind celebrate when you are a head and have reason to celebrate. Also my dislike is not really for viking fans. Like who you want. But the viking team it self. Viking fans do seem to be the most fair weathered around.. At least the Bears fans cheered for the defense if nothing else.
Dec 23, 2008 at 4:09 p.m.
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localboy~ Stats are for fantasy junkies. Look at the scoreboard. There's a reason the final score is the most important "stat". The Packers totally dominated the Bears in Lambeau last Nov. "statistically" and won that game...why? Because they finished the game! The same way the Bears did yesterday.
Dec 23, 2008 at 3:42 p.m.
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KClick if the Bears were as good as they were the last time they went to the Super Bowl it would be priceless. They are not. It's sad that you would get so excited over a game they nearly lost and were lucky to win. For as poorly as the Packers have played of late and out your home field they should have kicked our butts and did not.. That says a lot and that is priceless.
Dec 23, 2008 at 3:39 p.m.
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Being a Packer fan who grew up in Illinois, I can tell you that the Bear fans are much worse than Viking fans! I'll root for the Vikes any time before the Bears. You want to hear ignorant idiots at their finest -- tune into the Score 670 am and listen to Doug Buffoon and the rest of the morons!
Dec 23, 2008 at 3:09 p.m.
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Can anyone tell me why the Packers have $30 million in salary cap room that they didn't use this year?
Dec 23, 2008 at 2:41 p.m.
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Bears rally to beat Packers in OT, 20-17
PRICELESS
Dec 23, 2008 at 1:48 p.m.
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Sorry I meant to say neither the vikings or the Bears will go far in the playoffs. I also don't see a huge Bear and Packer issue..Maybe years ago. It's the vikings most of us can't stand. If the Bears make it to the play offs I will be cheerin for them..no matter how far.
Dec 23, 2008 at 1:43 p.m.
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taxed2much.. has it right. I am a big Packer fan however, I was half tempted cheer for the Bears last night but I did not. However in the end I was very happy they won. Anything to screw the those nasty vikings. I mean come on we are out of the play offs, we have nothing to gain by winning all we can hope for at this point is good draft picks and not to get beat by Detroit. I will be cheering for the Giants against the Vikings. They and there fans suck...
Seriously though neither the vikings or the bears would go far in the play offs. Its pretty clear just watching either one of them.
Dec 23, 2008 at 11:29 a.m.
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One more thing:
darius are you serious? Beating the Packers is "our" Super Bowl?
As a Bear fan I want them to get to this point of the year and not have to worry about winning out and hoping for a loss by the Vikes to make the play-offs. I want a team that is good enough to contend for Super Bowls every year. Beating the Packers? Who CARES! If they had a play - off type, 1st place, 13 to 14 win team every year than beating the packers will take care of itself. I hate it when Bears fans say "well we just need to beat the Pack"! Heck with that, I want a SUPER BOWL!!!!! AND MORE THAN JUST 1 MORE!!!!
I am sure the GOOD Packer fans wont be satisfied with a win or two over the Bears, or an NFC North title or NFC Champs, they want Super Bowls as well and plenty of them.
Dec 23, 2008 at 11:19 a.m.
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whybesad: Do you mean time of possession?
Dec 23, 2008 at 11:02 a.m.
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For those Packer fans that are getting down on the front office: Welcome to a Bear Fans world!
We take a pro-bowl running back and trade him in order to keep a 4th overall pick happy and to give him a chance. He turns out to be a bust and is finaly cut. Sure we picked up Forte in the 2nd round last year BUT it is bonehead moves like trading Thomas Jones that will keep the Bears offense an afterthought for years to come. Point being is not only did they make a bad evaluation of a 4th overall pick, but they made a bad evaluation of the guy they had.
All in hindsight and Rogers went deep in the 1st round that year but the bears would be a better team with Rogers at QB and Jones in the backfield splitting time with Forte.
Welcome to our world Packer fans. There is room for ya!
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:42 a.m.
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Sarah, Just out of curiosity can you explain to me what Murphy has to do with it. Seriously I don't understand your point as it relates to him. He inherited both Thompson and McCarthy and he doesn't have anything to say about player selection, how the team prepares for a game or what players/plays are used in a game. He's a CEO. Maybe he should dismiss Thompson and McCarthy that's a matter of debate. But he would have had to have a crystal ball to already have done it.
Dec 23, 2008 at 9:24 a.m.
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7 games lost by a total of 19 points. Different game same result. Kicked their butt in time of position and all other stats but, can't seal the deal.
Dec 23, 2008 at 8:35 a.m.
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I did not see Thompson, McCarthy or Murphy on the field this year. Farve is gone, get over it. Rodgers is in his first year as starter. The season is over. Move on with your lives..........
Dec 23, 2008 at 7:38 a.m.
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The Bears did not "beat" the Packers. The Packers dominated every statistic category, but the one that counts - the final score. This means the Packers beat themselves. Another 4th quarter collapse by the defense. I never thought they would miss Nick Barnett that much, but the middle of the field killed them last night.
Dec 23, 2008 at 7:27 a.m.
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Da Bears! Our SuperBowl was beating Green Bay last nite. I'm not blind to think we can beat anyone in the playoffs (if we make it)...so this will have to do. Anytime Green Bay goes down it enhances my day anyway!
Dec 23, 2008 at 7:16 a.m.
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Certainly thought it was going to be a transition year, but who would have thought the same defense from last year would totally collapse this year.
Dec 23, 2008 at 6:50 a.m.
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The defensive coordinator needs to be fired! Too many of these games were lost by the lack of a defensive stand at the end of the game allowing the other team to make a game-winning play.
Dec 23, 2008 at 6:24 a.m.
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Peace on Earth and Good will toward men. It is Christmas after all.
Dec 23, 2008 at 1:05 a.m.
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Fire The Three Stooges: Thompson, McCarthy and Murphy. (Better yet, wait one more year and then let Holmgren come back.)
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