Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Files
Many amateur golfers say, “There are no pictures on the scorecard,” meaning that it may not always be pretty and polished, but a score on a hole can be positive nonetheless.
Although the 2010 regular-season finale to the NFL season for the Green Bay Packers when they confronted their bitter enemy, the Chicago Bears, was far from a thing of beauty, the tension and the urgency the Packers faced on January 2, 2011, made this game one for the dramatic ages. However, the reason why this game meant so much for Green Bay was the result of self-inflicted wounds.
Green Bay Packers Created Their Own Stress in 2010
Describing the Green Bay Packers’ 2010 campaign as a roller coaster would be the understatement equivalent of saying water is wet. The extreme highs and lows encountered by the Packers would satisfy the most daring thrill seeker, but it certainly was not the comfortable ride most fans would welcome.
The season’s split personality surfaced through the first six games; after wins at Philadelphia and at home against the Buffalo Bills, the Packers played in four straight games that were decided by a total of 11 points. Three-point losses to the Chicago Bears, Washington Redskins, and the Miami Dolphins left Green Bay with a 3-3 record and questioning if they had the fortitude to win the close ones.
Four straight wins seemingly righted their ship, but close losses to the Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, and New England Patriots–all on the road–gave them pause once again. To make matters worse, QB1 Aaron Rodgers was knocked out of the Lions game and unavailable for the Patriots loss in week 15.
With two games to play, the Green Bay Packers stood at 8-6. The good news is they knew that home wins against the New York Giants and the hated Bears to end the season would be good enough to sneak into the playoff tournament as the 6th seed and salvage their year. However, with all of their near misses, would they have enough grit to win the close ones with their season on the brink?
Dramatic Game Vs. The Chicago Bears #4: January 2, 2011
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel File
The first half of the equation was settled the previous week; the Green Bay Packers blew out the New York Giants, 45-17, setting up a “win and they are in” scenario against the Bears.
The oddsmakers figured it was a slam-dunk win for the Packers; Chicago had already clinched the NFC North and Green Bay had everything to play for, so Vegas sharps made the Packers a 10.5-point favorite.
The weather surely cooperated to make this compelling theater. Game-time temperatures dropped to 19 degrees, partly because Fox Sports made this their “Game of the Week” and mandated a 3:15pm kickoff.
As stated, this game was far from picturesque for either team. Both sides traded punts twice in the opening quarter, and another Packers drive ended when Bears’ DJ Moore forced a Donald Driver fumble that Charles Tillman recovered.
The game remained scoreless until Chicago kicker Robbie Gould kicked a 30-yard field goal with 4:35 left in the half, and the Bears took a 3-0 lead into the locker rooms at halftime.
Both punters, Chicago’s Brad Maynard and Green Bay’s Tim Masthay, earned their salary that day, kicking eight times each. However, the Packers finally lit the scoreboard with 2:43 to go in the third quarter by tying the game 3-3 thanks to a short 23-yard field goal by Mason Crosby.
The Bears did nothing with the ball in their next drive and punted back to the Packers at the end of the quarter. Starting on their own 25, Rodgers and the Packers finally found their stride with their 2010 season in doubt. Faced with a 3rd down and 3 on their own 32, Rodgers found Driver for 21. Then, on the very next play, Rodgers hit Greg Jennings down the right sideline for a 46-yard gain all the way down to the one-yard line. Donald Lee put the finishing touches on the drive, corralling a short scoring pass, to make the score 10-3 with 12:46 to go.
From there on out, the Green Bay defense saved their season. With 4:49 to go, the Bears started a drive on their own two-yard line searching for their first touchdown of the day and looking to ruin their rival’s playoff dreams.
The Bears showed why they were division champs that year. Jay Cutler led a methodical drive that saw the Bears use 14 plays to reach the Green Bay 32-yard line with 26 seconds remaining. Then, on 2nd and 10, Cutler’s intended pass to Hall of Famer Devin Hester was intercepted by Packers’ safety Nick Collins, and all Rodgers had to do was run the “victory formation” to ice a playoff berth.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel File
When it was all said and done, the Bears would only muster 227 yards and three points, and that was vital as the Packers were held to their second lowest scoring total of the 2010 season.
What Did This Victory Mean For The Green Bay Packers?
In a word, everything. With a chip and a chair, the Green Bay Packers were still playing at the NFL-playoffs poker table. As the 6th and final seed, however, they knew their chances of playing in Super Bowl XLV in Arlington, Texas, in February depended on winning three road playoff games, and successfully navigating victories away from Lambeau Field was not their strong suit that year.
But, a close wild-card win at Lincoln Financial Field against the Eagles and a blowout of the top-seeded Atlanta Falcons in the divisional round set up the most dramatic, important, and high-stakes game ever played between the two oldest franchises in the NFL.
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