Packers Defeat The Bears: Top 5 Defensive Plays of the Game

by Brandon on Dec 26, 2011 5:00 PM CST in Green Bay Packers Analysis

This wasn't the best game for the Green Bay Packers defense. However, for all of the yards surrendered in the first half, the Bears were held to only 3 points. The fact that it happened against recently signed QB Josh McCown is a bad sign. But the defense did force two fumbles, grabbed two interceptions, and allowed 11 of 21 points after the Packers went up 35-10. The points still count, but the sense of urgency isn't the same.

From the play-by-play at NFL.com:

First Quarter

(5:34) 15-J.McCown pass incomplete deep middle to 80-E.Bennett.

This second down play from the Packers 33 yard line was more of weak decision by McCown to throw deep into double coverage. But Charles Woodson made a play to break up the pass. It forced the Bears into a 3rd and long (which then became 3rd and longer after two penalties) and eventually a missed field goal.

Second Quarter

(12:08) 15-J.McCown pass short right to 32-K.Bell to CHI 37 for -3 yards (52-C.Matthews). FUMBLES (52-C.Matthews), recovered by CHI-15-J.McCown at CHI 37. 15-J.McCown to CHI 37 for no gain (95-H.Green).

It was a great forced fumble by Clay Matthews, even if the fumble bounce luck gave McCown the best path to recover the ball.

(8:52) 25-A.Allen left end pushed ob at GB 22 for 5 yards (21-C.Woodson).

Woodson hurdled the fullback trying to block him low, and he shoved the running back out of bounds. There was no one behind to make the tackle if Woodson doesn't make the play and Allen might have run it in for a touchdown. Also, it set the stage for the next play.

(8:22) 15-J.McCown pass short right intended for 44-T.Clutts INTERCEPTED by 52-C.Matthews at GB 24. 52-C.Matthews to GB 26 for 2 yards (32-K.Bell).

If first you don't succeed. The Packers couldn't recover the fumble forced by Matthews, so he took it upon himself to grab the INT. Bell messed up the block, but credit goes to Matthews for reading and reacting to the pass.

Third Quarter

(1:06) (Shotgun) 15-J.McCown pass deep middle intended for 80-E.Bennett INTERCEPTED by 26-C.Peprah at GB 46. 26-C.Peprah to CHI 33 for 21 yards (32-K.Bell).

While Peprah is credited with the INT, he was in the right place to catch the ball after it was tipped by Woodson.

Poll

Which defensive play was their best in their victory over the Bears?

Woodson defends deep pass

11 votes

Matthews forces fumble

17 votes

Woodson hurdles blocker for the tackle

135 votes

Matthews interception

423 votes

Woodson tips pass to Peprah for INT

78 votes

664 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

The best play was the Matthews interception.

But man, that Woodson hurdle. That was pretty sick as well. Jump over the guy and still have enough to lay a pretty good pop on the runner? Amazing.

That dog just won't hunt.

by Bush League All Star on Dec 26, 2011 6:01 PM CST reply actions

Bears fans

are commenting about how wrong they were about McCown’s ability because of his ability to move the ball. All the while they are comparing him to Caleb Hanie who they contend is now awful. Yet it was the game against the Packers that made them all believers in Hanie in the first place. Umm, your quarterbacks aren’t any good; it is the Packers defense you can shred…..

by Glenn'sYank13 on Dec 26, 2011 6:02 PM CST reply actions

it is funny to hear

Masters of hindsight.

I love wins. Wins are good for the soul.- Barry Alvarez Sep 25, 2005

We expect to win.- Ted Thompson July 28, 2011

by White92 on Dec 26, 2011 7:17 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions

Yeah, shredding our D doesn’t say ANYTHING about the ability of your QB.

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Dec 27, 2011 9:29 AM CST up reply actions

?

All Hanie had earned was a shot to be the full-time backup, as he’d been there for three years at that point and finally had to show something. Then we saw this year he wasn’t really that good.

I wasn’t expecting anything out of McCown and I’m still not. I’ll be semi-surprised if either him or Hanie are still Bears next season.

It’s not like anybody’s saying he’ll challenge Cutler for starters’ reps next year.

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by Steven Schweickert on Dec 27, 2011 11:40 AM CST up reply actions

Hanie really kinda flopped after some promise last year....

if I had to pick between the two, I would definitely bring back McCown as a backup over Hanie. At least McCown looks like he could hold his own in a game or two if he had to.

Nothing can really make up for losing your starter for over a month though.

In Every Climb and Place....

by PhoenicianPakFan on Dec 28, 2011 5:01 AM CST up reply actions

Why Lovie kicked the fg and then did an onside kick

is beyond me. Getting 3 did nothing for the Bears.

by glblank on Dec 26, 2011 7:12 PM CST reply actions

Wasn't the final betting line 14 pts?

Lovie kicked the FG to annoy gamblers.

by LA Cheese on Dec 26, 2011 7:22 PM CST up reply actions

But

if they took Packers and points, they covered the spread.

by glblank on Dec 26, 2011 7:24 PM CST up reply actions

It pulled them within 2 scores...

and was a higher percentage points play than going for it, which would give them the opportunity to kick off and potentially maintain possession of the ball. It made quite a bit of sense considering the desperate situation they were in no matter the decision.

In Every Climb and Place....

by PhoenicianPakFan on Dec 26, 2011 8:01 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Peprah Pick

I’m pretty sure Woodson didn’t get a finger on the ball that Peprah interecepted. I think it was the receiver who tipped it. Woodson probably did make McCown throw it high, however, since he got deep enough to be a nuisance.

The Matthews INT was a great individual effort. Loved that one.

by LA Cheese on Dec 26, 2011 7:23 PM CST reply actions

I thought so too

But video shows Woody getting a mitt on it too send the pass high and Bennett tipped it to Peprah.

by glblank on Dec 26, 2011 7:25 PM CST up reply actions

ah, ok. cool.

by LA Cheese on Dec 26, 2011 7:34 PM CST up reply actions

Less nervous

about the playoffs. Guys like Hawk have to elevate their game as Woody and Clay will play lights out. Hope Pick recovers, he is sorely missed. Maybe Capers will stay in cover 2 shell to keep Burnett and Peprah back. Lord only knows what he can do on Walden’s side of the line.

by glblank on Dec 26, 2011 7:30 PM CST reply actions

Woodson didn't tip the ball to Pep... it went off the WRs hand.

Still a helluva play though.

For me it was close between the Woodson hurdle and CM3 INT. Woodson showing off his athleticism and Clay showing his intelligence.

SUPER BOWL CHAMPS

by Chief Oshkosh on Dec 26, 2011 10:12 PM CST reply actions

Guess I should read the above posts first...

I only saw the one highlight and it didn’t seem like Wood got a hand on it. Either way great play…

SUPER BOWL CHAMPS

by Chief Oshkosh on Dec 26, 2011 10:14 PM CST up reply actions

Yea

Wood never tipped it, but his coverage forced McCown to get the ball high and over Wood. That lead to the tipped ball by the Bears receiver, which Peprah picked off. Wood still made that play happen by having good coverage though.

by Shoes31 on Dec 27, 2011 8:33 AM CST up reply actions

Trendy pick was Matthews INT.

But, I went with Woodson’s hurdle/tackle.
Only thing missing was a somersault.

"Perfection is not attainable,
but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."

"We're nobody's underdog!"

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After further review,
the Munsters of the Midway still suck!

by NorthStarr on Dec 27, 2011 12:09 AM CST reply actions

had my vote if it ended like this...

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Dec 27, 2011 9:35 AM CST up reply actions

It was Woodson’s tip to Peprah. The reason I say this is Walden was on the bench and Vic So’oto was putting the pressure on. Any positive play where Walden is on the bench is a great play!

by sonny113006 on Dec 27, 2011 5:40 AM CST reply actions

Matthews pick

What a well read play by Matthews- I saw him creep to the line before the beginning of the play and followed him. Once he picked up the screen by Bell, it was all over. It really proves how great of an all-around player he’s become, not just a good pass rusher or tackler.

by LambeauLeap12 on Dec 27, 2011 9:51 AM CST reply actions