Chicago Bears defeat Green Bay Packers 20 to 17 - Third Quarter
The second quarter ended with an interception for Chicago; Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the last seconds of the quarter threw a deep pass intended for Greg Jennings right into the end zone. There really was almost no chance
that Rodgers could get away with that pass. Jennings was surrounded by blue jerseys. It was inside linebacker Brian Urlacher who shoved the ball away from Jennings and landed it safely into fellow linebacker Lance Briggs’ hands.
When the third quarter began the Packers started on the 20 yard line after a 22 yard return but were pushed back 5 yards for an illegal formation penalty on Chad Clifton. Rodgers initially covered ground quickly with 8 and 20 yard
back to back passes followed by an 11 yard rush by running back Brandon Jackson. Green Bay continued to make gains. Despite a 10 yard setback to a penalty, the Packers moved down field to the 15 yard line. On the 15 yard line Rodgers threw a 15 yard pass to
Jermichael Finley which would have been a touchdown if not for an offensive holding penalty on Green Bay lineman Josh Sitton.
The penalty pushed the Packers back 10 yards and put their touchdown drive in jeopardy. A play later the Packers came up to the 19 yard line and got into field goal formation. Their attempt though still didn’t pay off. The kick
was blocked by defensive lineman Julius Pepper. Pepper managed only to get a hand on it but it was enough to make sure the kick is not good. The drive lost 25 yards to penalties. Without the penalties the drive could have been a successful touchdown or maybe
a field goal. Until that point in the third quarter the Packers had lost 85 yards to penalties. Some of those penalties came at very crucial stages of the game.
The Packers drive ate up most of the 3rd quarter ending with 6 minutes still remaining. Without the penalties on Green Bay, the drive would have covered 111 yards. Even so the Packers weren’t able to capitalize. The
drive also ended up injuring Chicago’s safety Chris Harris.
After being on the defensive for more than half the quarter and only six minutes remaining on the clock, the Chicago offense came to life. Matt Forte started off with 4 yard run and was followed up by a spectacular 35 yard pass
to Johnny Knox. Green Bay running back Brandon Jackson was the man shadowing Knox but the wide receiver was able to put some distance between himself and his pursuer.
Cutler’s line of sight to Knox was being blocked by Linebacker Frank Zombo but Cutler threw over his head and outside of his reach straight into the hands of Knox who was coming in from the left towards the middle. The pass was
perfect but Packers defence was onto Knox. Free Safety Nick Collins and cornerback Brandon Underwood converged on Knox and took him down. The Bears had moved from their 32 yard line to the Green Bay 33 yard line in one play and they weren’t done yet.
Cutler completed 11 and 12 yard passes consecutively to move up to the 10 yard line. Forte rushed four yards and Cutler passed 5 to get to within just one yard of touchdown. In six minutes the Bears raked in 71 yards in 7 plays.
All in all an excellent effort that looked set to be another Chicago touchdown but the gods of football were not smiling on the Bears. Cutler led a successful drive all the way to the one yard line but couldn’t finish it off.
The drive ended and the Packers started on their 1 yard line with a minute remaining in the quarter. The Packers drove to the 10 yard line but a penalty pushed them back 5 yards again. The quarter ended with no points being scored
by either team.
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