Ignoring recent trends has been the message from Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith this past week, but reality arrived at Soldier Field on Sunday in the green-and-gold uniforms of the Green Bay Packers.
It was difficult to forget that the Bears had lost five straight to their NFC North rivals. Entering with an 8-5 record, the Bears also had lost four of their last five after an auspicious 7-1 start.
Behind coach Mike McCarthy, Green Bay positioned itself to possibly clinch the NFC North with a victory Sunday.
"A rivalry game, I don't have to say an awful lot more than that," Smith said of the division-leading Packers. "I know they're excited about coming down here. It has just been too long. Right now, as I continue to say, unfortunately we haven't held up our end of the deal with the rivalry. You've got to win some football games to really get that done. We know what's at stake."
The Bears' defense came in knowing it had to find an answer for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the reigning NFL MVP. Injuries could not be an excuse for the Bears, as the Packers had significant losses to injuries, as well.
Inactives for the Bears were Josh McCown, Tim Jennings, Geno Hayes, Henry Melton, Earl Bennett, Shea McClellin and Urlacher.
Green Bay inactives: Charles Woodson, James Starks, Terrell Manning, Donald Driver, D.J. Williams, Jordy Nelson and C.J. Wilson.
Rodgers came in with an 8-2 record against the Bears as a starter, with a passer rating of 96.8.
"He's the type of guy, he can make every throw," said Bears linebacker Nick Roach, who has been filling in for the injured Brian Urlacher in the middle. "He adjusts on the run. When he gets out of the pocket, he can do a lot of things. The run game, obviously, is not what people remember them for, but they have been doing it a lot better lately, and more successfully than earlier in the year. So it is just something else we will be alert to, but nothing will change."
Exacerbating the problem of containing Rodgers has been the resurgence of the Green Bay running game in recent weeks.
"They've put a commitment to it. They know how to run the football, there's no doubt," Bears defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said. "All through his career they've run the football well. Tough offensive linemen, smart. You come out every week saying that's what you've got to get done. You've got to be able to knock out the run."
The Packers entered the game having won 11 straight division games.
fmitchell@tribune.com
Twitter@kicker34
1st quarter: Bears 0, Packers 0
This article
1st quarter: Bears 0, Packers 0
can be opened in url
http://hochingleeng.blogspot.com/2012/12/1st-quarter-bears-0-packers-0.html
1st quarter: Bears 0, Packers 0
