Today could not have started any better. After waking at 5 a.m. with a rejuvenated zest for all things morning, I headed off to the gym to run five miles and swim another two, but not before I lifted some heavy iron in an attempt to strengthen and define my muscles.
Am I lifting weights in the pool?
At around 9 a.m., after a shower and shave, I traveled across the state to have dinner with my ex-mother-in-law. She’s also my boss, and was my third-grade teacher.
Wait. What?
If this meeting with her goes well, I should be able to get a promotion, and then I’ll be able to fall back asleep, just in time to watch the Super Bowl yesterday.
O. K. Wait one second. Would you mind telling me, Harry, just what in the world you are talking about? I’m starting to that think you don’t respect me.
And then I woke up, alarm blaring, birds chirping. Half confused, a quarter disappointed, and a hundred percent sure I cannot remember a single detail of my subconscious state, I roll out of bed and start writing.
The Super Bowl is not yesterday. Or is it?
IT’S A DREAM, ONLY A DREAM
While the reality is I cannot force NBA teams to make trades that could be beneficial to both teams, therefore inspiring not only new hope for fans, but plenty of debate for analysts and fans alike, I can dream about it.
Here are 3 trades that would curl my toes:
(Justin Case: As much as I would like to pretend to be a salary-cap guru, I do not have full knowledge of the intricacies of the trade/salary-cap dynamic. However, I do know that the salaries meet the requirements, and, more importantly, the players make sense.)
These trades are in order of size
small
1. Antawn Jamison from Cleveland to Phoenix for Goran Dragic, Josh Childress, and Channing Frye.
Why it makes sense for Phoenix:
While they may be older than a forgotten Fourth of July burger this time of year, the Suns starting five would feature Steve Nash, Vince Carter, Grant Hill, Jamison, and Lopez/Gortat.
The bench will lose its only PG, but Carter or Hill can handle the duties while Nash rests.
Of course, the defense will suffer a- oh yeah, we’re talking about Phoenix.
The Suns will now have a better chance of outscoring their opponents, and experience, in the playoffs or otherwise, should not be underestimated.
Why it makes sense for Cleveland:
I do not know, or care, frankly. Sorry.
I will just say that Dragic could be a starter in this league, and both Frye and Childress are versatile and athletic enough to be serviceable role players or sixth men. Why not Cleveland?
MediuM
2. Andre Miller and Marcus Camby from Portland to Atlanta for Jamal Crawford, Jeff Teague, and Zaza Pachulia
Why it makes sense for Portland :
The Blazers, bit by the injury bug with the same ferocity of two rams, ramming each other, on an open field, just ramming their rams for ram’s sake, ramming away, can afford to mix-up their roster. While I am all for competing for the “now”, they are not going to beat the elite in the West with their current crew.
Crawford provides versatility at the guard position and can fill the void left by Miller. He gives them another outside scorer, along with Wesley Matthews, to compliment LaMarcus Aldridge’s inside presence.
Camby may be one of the better defensive Cs in the game, but a team effort from Zaza and Joel Pryzbilla, along with Aldridge at times, can offset his loss.
Next year could feature a starting five of Crawford, Roy, Nicolas Batum, Aldridge, and Greg Oden, which, IF healthy, could compete with the top teams in the West.
But this year is not necessarily lost. Look at what the Houston Rockets were able to do in the ’09 playoffs after losing Tracy McGrady early in the season and Yao Ming towards the end. Upsetting your 1st round opponent and taking the defending conference, and eventual league, champions to 7 is not too shabby (Justin Case: Normally, “Not too shabby” really means “nothing to brag about” or “pretty bad, ak chewa lee”, but not in this case. The Rockets’ effort that postseason was, indeed, not too shabby.)
Why it makes sense for Atlanta :
The Hawks, one of the more entertaining, if not disappointing, teams in the league, are one move away from truly joining the best the East has to offer.
Al Horford and Josh Smith form arguably the most athletic PF/C combo in the league. The problem, despite the moderate success in recent years, is that they are playing out of position.
Camby’s arrival would allow Horford to move down to his more natural PF position and enable Smith to roam the outside more freely. Scary, yes.
In Miller, Atlanta would receive a true point guard who can lead what is already a freight train of a fast-break. This would also allow Mike Bibby and Marvin Williams to come off a suddenly deep bench.
A starting five of Miller, Johnson, Smith, Horford, and Camby? I like my chances-- and not just in the East.
LARGE
3. Carmelo Anthony and Al Harrington from Denver to New York for Danilo Gallinari, Anthony Randolph, Kelenna Azubuike, and Eddy Curry.
Why it makes sense for Denver :
This season is lost for the Nuggets. They have the talent to make a serious run in the playoffs, as they did in ’09 while reaching the conference finals, but the distractions caused by the constant trade speculation has become more than those players can handle.
Denver has no logical choice other than to trade their superstar and get as much back as possible.
With Dino, the Nuggets receive a young sharp-shooter who seems to enjoy the challenge of guarding the other team’s best player. Picture a more athletic Dirk Nowitzki. Anthony Randolph has shown signs of potential and could, along with the Birdman, serve as nice back-ups to Nene and Kenyon Martin.
Denver could start Chauncy Billups, Aaron Afflalo, Gallinari, Martin, and Nene, with Ty Lawson, JR Smith, and Randolph/Birdman off the bench.
Billups, a Colorado native, would inherit the status of team leader. That didn’t work out so badly for Detroit in ’04, when he was named Finals MVP after helping lead his team to an upset win over Gary Payton, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone, Shaq, Phil Jackson and Co.
Why it makes sense for New York :
While there was speculation of new super trio joining forces in New York—Amare Stoudemire would be joined by Anthony and eventually Chris Paul, either this season or next—landing Anthony now would give the Knicks more than just a fighter’s chance in the top-heavy East.
Raymond Felton has surprised many with his production this season, to the point that some may suggest he, not necessarily Paul, could fill the role of third-wheel as part of this superstar team, a team ready to rival the Miami Heat for years to come.
Felton, Wilson Chandler, Anthony, Stoudemire, and anyone taller than 6-10 who can chew gum would form a starting five that the majority of teams would envy. The bench would be led by guards Toney Douglas and surprising rookie Landry Fields, along with defensive-minded Ronny Turiaf (a favorite player of mine since his days at Gonzaga) or 7-1 Timofey Mozgov, both of whom can chew gum.
Defense may be an issue, but defense is all about attitude. Stoudemire ranks among the top shot-blockers in the league after being underestimated defensively thanks to an offense-happy Phoenix Suns’ system. Carmelo has the talent to become a lock-down defender, as he has more than held his own during his one-on-one battles with good friend LeBron James.
Maybe a change of scenery and a rejuvenated zest is all he needs.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
AFC Championship Game "Pre-Review": Pittsburgh Steeler vs. New York Jets
1st quarter
The Jets receive the ball to start the game and Kyle Wilson returns the opening kick for a 102 yard TD.
Heinz Field is now as lively as a mayonnaise sandwich.
Big Ben and the Steelers take the field quicker than they expected, trailing 7-0.
Hoping to establish a theme for the game, Pittsburgh’s first play is run up the middle by Rashard Mendenhall.
Pittsburgh is unable to gain meaningful yards and punts after three plays.
Both defenses flex their muscle and the teams exchange punts, leaving New York with the ball on their 23 yard line with 3:44 left in the quarter.
Mark Sanchez and Santonio Holmes combine for 2 catches for 25 yards, followed by a LaDainian Tomlinson 31 yard screen pass.
Knocking on the door, hoping to gain a two TD advantage while maintaining a street-fight mentality, the Jets tap the brakes and give Shonn Greene two rushes up the middle.
Facing 3rd and 1 from the 11 yard line, Rex Ryan calls for another Greene rush. However, this time, Ziggy Hood barrels through the blockers and seemingly hugs the runner while also slamming him to the turf, but not before the ball is knocked loose and Troy Palatal recovers.
Heinz Field is now as exciting as a ground beef, egg, and cheese omelet, with ketchup.
End of 1st: New York 7- Pittsburgh 0
2nd quarter
The defenses continue to dominate.
After another exchange of punts, Pittsburgh takes the ball at their 17 yard line with 10:02 left in the half.
Big Ben and Hines Ward combine for a couple completions outside. Mendenhall finds space off tackle for some nice runs. The Steelers are moving the ball and taking momentum.
After 11 plays, 6:57 off the clock, and 71 yards gained, Pittsburgh gets on the board with a Roethlisberger to Heath Miller play action pass, similar to Greg Olsen’s patterns throughout last game, except that Miller scores a 12 yard TD to even the game 7-7.
New York, steadily prodding along, aimlessly, look to change their fortune through the air with 2:55 left in the half.
A couple screen passes to Tomlinson advance the ball to the Steelers’ 39 yard line at the 2:00 warning.
Unable to find Braylon Edwards, Sanchez checks down to Dustin Keller, who is open 10 yards down the field and gains 17 yards on the play.
The Steelers test the young QB with three straight blitzes. The pressure proves to be too much as Palatal knocks down a third down pass attempt, forcing the Jets to kick a FG.
Halftime: New York 10- Pittsburgh 7
3rd quarter
Pittsburgh receives the ball and is able to mustard, I mean, muster up the same energy that guided them through their 12-play TD drive.
Ward for 6 yards here, Mendenhall for 4 yards there, Big Ben for 13 rushing yards after escaping the grasp of Bart Scott in the backfield. The Steelers seem headed for a lead changing TD.
On first and 10 from the Jets 27 yard line, Ben gets frisky (again?) and decides to test Darrelle Revis with a play-action slant route to Mike Wallace.
This proves to be costly…for the Jets. Revis’ superior ability allows him to deflect the pass, which pops up in the air and lands in the waiting arms of Heath Miller, who rumbles down to the 4 yard line.
How about another ground beef, egg, and cheese omelet?
Three rushes and a Mendenhall wrecking ball of a TD run later, the Steelers find themselves ahead 14-10 with 7:21 remaining in the quarter.
The Jets, unable to put any points on the board since the opening kickoff, finally get the ball in the second half.
Sanchez tries to rally his troops with a couple quick passes. Edwards takes one of these quick hits and manages 19 yards after eluding a Palatal dive tackle.
After a Greene blast through the middle gains another 19 yards, New York seems to grab some momentum.
Faced with a second down and 6 from Pittsburgh’s 31 yard line and 4:20 left in the quarter, the Jets finally strike deep with a TD pass from Sanchez to Edwards in the corner of the end-zone.
New York holds Big Ben and the Steelers to a three and out.
Who ate the last mayonnaise sandwich?
End of 3rd: New York 17- Pittsburgh 14
4th quarter
The Jets are flying high.
LT and Greene find more space in the fourth quarter as New York marches from their own 20 yard line down to the Steelers’ 33.
With 10:57 left in the game, Sanchez eludes pressure from James Harrison while scampering toward the sideline. About to run out of bounds, Sanchez finds an open Santonio Holmes striding toward the deep corner of the end-zone. An absolutely perfect pass would have led to a TD. A merely great pass, however, leads to an even greater play by Ryan Clark, who dives at the last second and deflects what would have been a dagger of a score.
New York settles for a FG and a 20-14 lead.
Pittsburgh produces a couple first downs, but the drive fizzles after Bart Scott deflects a third down pass intended for Heath Miller.
The Steelers punt and New York takes over at their 14 yard line with 7:03 remaining.
Rush on first and second down, then pass on third down. The formula works for two first downs.
Rush on first and second down, then pass on third down. This time it does not work, as Ryan Clark intercepts a Sanchez to Keller pass attempt at Pittsburgh’s 46 yard line.
The scenario is familiar. Big Ben and the Steelers, down six with 3:13 left in the game, have one last drive to win the game and advance to their third Super Bowl in six years.
The Jets’ prevent defense allows a couple short gains, and irks Rex Ryan enough to abandon this approach.
After driving to New York’s 22 yard line with 1:02 left, Pittsburgh has their entire playbook at their disposal.
On third and 8, Big Ben steps back, seems to elude the pressure facing him, but is then bulldozed by blitzing safety Eric Smith, who knocks the ball loose.
The fumble is recovered by Calvin Pace.
Final: New York 20- Pittsburgh 14
Summary:
Defense and turnovers was the name of the game today. New York squeaks by Pittsburgh in a hotly contested match-up, the heat of which can only be matched by two rats mating in a wool sock.
Notable stats:
New York
Mark Sanchez: 16-29 183 yards 1 TD 1 INT
LaDainian Tomlinson: 15 rushes 49 yards
4 receptions 36 yards
Braylon Edwards: 3 receptions 77 yards
Pittsburgh
Ben Roethlisberger: 20-40 210 yards 1 TD 1 INT
Rashard Mendenhall: 22 rushes 71 yards 1 TD
The Jets receive the ball to start the game and Kyle Wilson returns the opening kick for a 102 yard TD.
Heinz Field is now as lively as a mayonnaise sandwich.
Big Ben and the Steelers take the field quicker than they expected, trailing 7-0.
Hoping to establish a theme for the game, Pittsburgh’s first play is run up the middle by Rashard Mendenhall.
Pittsburgh is unable to gain meaningful yards and punts after three plays.
Both defenses flex their muscle and the teams exchange punts, leaving New York with the ball on their 23 yard line with 3:44 left in the quarter.
Mark Sanchez and Santonio Holmes combine for 2 catches for 25 yards, followed by a LaDainian Tomlinson 31 yard screen pass.
Knocking on the door, hoping to gain a two TD advantage while maintaining a street-fight mentality, the Jets tap the brakes and give Shonn Greene two rushes up the middle.
Facing 3rd and 1 from the 11 yard line, Rex Ryan calls for another Greene rush. However, this time, Ziggy Hood barrels through the blockers and seemingly hugs the runner while also slamming him to the turf, but not before the ball is knocked loose and Troy Palatal recovers.
Heinz Field is now as exciting as a ground beef, egg, and cheese omelet, with ketchup.
End of 1st: New York 7- Pittsburgh 0
2nd quarter
The defenses continue to dominate.
After another exchange of punts, Pittsburgh takes the ball at their 17 yard line with 10:02 left in the half.
Big Ben and Hines Ward combine for a couple completions outside. Mendenhall finds space off tackle for some nice runs. The Steelers are moving the ball and taking momentum.
After 11 plays, 6:57 off the clock, and 71 yards gained, Pittsburgh gets on the board with a Roethlisberger to Heath Miller play action pass, similar to Greg Olsen’s patterns throughout last game, except that Miller scores a 12 yard TD to even the game 7-7.
New York, steadily prodding along, aimlessly, look to change their fortune through the air with 2:55 left in the half.
A couple screen passes to Tomlinson advance the ball to the Steelers’ 39 yard line at the 2:00 warning.
Unable to find Braylon Edwards, Sanchez checks down to Dustin Keller, who is open 10 yards down the field and gains 17 yards on the play.
The Steelers test the young QB with three straight blitzes. The pressure proves to be too much as Palatal knocks down a third down pass attempt, forcing the Jets to kick a FG.
Halftime: New York 10- Pittsburgh 7
3rd quarter
Pittsburgh receives the ball and is able to mustard, I mean, muster up the same energy that guided them through their 12-play TD drive.
Ward for 6 yards here, Mendenhall for 4 yards there, Big Ben for 13 rushing yards after escaping the grasp of Bart Scott in the backfield. The Steelers seem headed for a lead changing TD.
On first and 10 from the Jets 27 yard line, Ben gets frisky (again?) and decides to test Darrelle Revis with a play-action slant route to Mike Wallace.
This proves to be costly…for the Jets. Revis’ superior ability allows him to deflect the pass, which pops up in the air and lands in the waiting arms of Heath Miller, who rumbles down to the 4 yard line.
How about another ground beef, egg, and cheese omelet?
Three rushes and a Mendenhall wrecking ball of a TD run later, the Steelers find themselves ahead 14-10 with 7:21 remaining in the quarter.
The Jets, unable to put any points on the board since the opening kickoff, finally get the ball in the second half.
Sanchez tries to rally his troops with a couple quick passes. Edwards takes one of these quick hits and manages 19 yards after eluding a Palatal dive tackle.
After a Greene blast through the middle gains another 19 yards, New York seems to grab some momentum.
Faced with a second down and 6 from Pittsburgh’s 31 yard line and 4:20 left in the quarter, the Jets finally strike deep with a TD pass from Sanchez to Edwards in the corner of the end-zone.
New York holds Big Ben and the Steelers to a three and out.
Who ate the last mayonnaise sandwich?
End of 3rd: New York 17- Pittsburgh 14
4th quarter
The Jets are flying high.
LT and Greene find more space in the fourth quarter as New York marches from their own 20 yard line down to the Steelers’ 33.
With 10:57 left in the game, Sanchez eludes pressure from James Harrison while scampering toward the sideline. About to run out of bounds, Sanchez finds an open Santonio Holmes striding toward the deep corner of the end-zone. An absolutely perfect pass would have led to a TD. A merely great pass, however, leads to an even greater play by Ryan Clark, who dives at the last second and deflects what would have been a dagger of a score.
New York settles for a FG and a 20-14 lead.
Pittsburgh produces a couple first downs, but the drive fizzles after Bart Scott deflects a third down pass intended for Heath Miller.
The Steelers punt and New York takes over at their 14 yard line with 7:03 remaining.
Rush on first and second down, then pass on third down. The formula works for two first downs.
Rush on first and second down, then pass on third down. This time it does not work, as Ryan Clark intercepts a Sanchez to Keller pass attempt at Pittsburgh’s 46 yard line.
The scenario is familiar. Big Ben and the Steelers, down six with 3:13 left in the game, have one last drive to win the game and advance to their third Super Bowl in six years.
The Jets’ prevent defense allows a couple short gains, and irks Rex Ryan enough to abandon this approach.
After driving to New York’s 22 yard line with 1:02 left, Pittsburgh has their entire playbook at their disposal.
On third and 8, Big Ben steps back, seems to elude the pressure facing him, but is then bulldozed by blitzing safety Eric Smith, who knocks the ball loose.
The fumble is recovered by Calvin Pace.
Final: New York 20- Pittsburgh 14
Summary:
Defense and turnovers was the name of the game today. New York squeaks by Pittsburgh in a hotly contested match-up, the heat of which can only be matched by two rats mating in a wool sock.
Notable stats:
New York
Mark Sanchez: 16-29 183 yards 1 TD 1 INT
LaDainian Tomlinson: 15 rushes 49 yards
4 receptions 36 yards
Braylon Edwards: 3 receptions 77 yards
Pittsburgh
Ben Roethlisberger: 20-40 210 yards 1 TD 1 INT
Rashard Mendenhall: 22 rushes 71 yards 1 TD
NFC Championship Game "Pre-Review": Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers
1st quarter
Green Bay receives the ball to start the game.
The Packers immediately go to the air. Aaron Rodgers finds Greg Jennings on a couple short routes.
After two incompletions, the Bears stop the drive when Rodgers is sacked by Tommie Harris at the Green Bay 49 yard line.
Chicago takes over at the 20 after Devin Hester cannot even sniff the punt, which lands in the corner of the end-zone.
Chicago is able to get Matt Forte going on the first drive. This opens up a play-action fake pass to Greg Olsen streaking across the field for a 32 yard gain.
After stalling on the Green Bay’s 14, Robbie Gould knocks in a 31 yard chip-shot FG.
The Packers do not abort the game-plan and continue firing the ball. The Bears expect this and they stop Green Bay on 3 downs after a near interception by Brian Urlacher.
The Bears receive the ball at their 43 yard line after another Packers punt easily eludes Hester, this time sailing out of bounds.
Chicago is able to drive the field against Green Bay via Forte catch and runs and Olsen short routes.
With 2:20 left in the quarter, Forte is able to register a TD on 1st and goal from the 1. The Bears earned that field position after Tramon Williams interfered with a Jay Cutler to Hester deep route in the end-zone.
End of 1st: Chicago 10- Green Bay 0
2nd quarter
The Packers begin their first drive of the quarter hoping to run the ball.
The Bears expect this, and force a 3rd and 13 after two rushes net -3 yards. Rodgers finds Donald Driver in the middle of the field for an important 1st down.
The Pack starts to feel momentum as they are able to get rookie James Starks open for a couple screen passes.
Chicago, on their heels, tighten up and sack Rodgers on 1st down from the Bears’ 15.
After a holding penalty backs them up, Green Bay settles for a 43 yard FG attempt, which sails wide right and leaves the Packers scoreless with 9:18 left in the half.
Looking to capitalize on the missed FG, the Bears start their drive with a reverse to Hester which nets 27 yards.
Green Bay bends but does not break while Clay Matthews, Jr. is able to get his first real pressure on Cutler and sacks him for a 9 yard loss.
Chicago is unable to move forward, but pins the Packers inside the 10 yard line with a beautiful punt and cover.
Green Bay starts to spread their wings. Rodgers completes 3 straight passes to move the ball to Chicago’s 45 yard line. After gaining 6 yards on a Brandon Jackson run, Rodgers is able to take advantage of a play-action fake and finds Jennings on a fly pattern down the sidelines for a 39 yard TD with 3:19 left in the half, cutting the lead to 10-7.
Chicago and Cutler execute the two-minute offense to perfection with a couple short gains followed by a Johnny Knox 23 yard reception.
The drive stalls at Green Bay’s 5 yard line, and Chicago elects to kick the FG to close out the half.
Halftime: Chicago 13- Green Bay 7
3rd quarter
The Bears receive the 2nd half kickoff.
As they have all game, the Bears move down the field with a nice mix of Forte and Olsen.
After driving to the Packers’ 19 yard line, Chicago settles for their third FG of the game, extending the lead to 16-7 with 11:01 left in the third.
Green Bay hopes to build off their last offensive possession and continue throwing the ball. The biggest play of this opening drive comes on a John Kuhn 24 yard screen pass to the Bears’ 13 yard line.
Two plays later, a pump-faking Aaron Rodgers connects with TE Andrew Quarless in the back middle of the end-zone.
Chicago’s offense starts to sputter as they are forced to punt after three plays net 3 yards.
Down only 16-14 with 4:20 left in the quarter, Green Bay now feels that this game is theirs for the taking.
A couple of runs by Jackson and another screen to Kuhn put Green Bay on the Bears’ 29 yard line.
The Pack seem to be clicking until a well-timed zone-blitz confuses Rodgers and forces him to blindly collide with Danieal Manning, forcing a fumble which is recovered by Julius Peppers and returned to the Green Bay 36 yard line.
End of 3rd : Chicago 16- Green Bay 14
4th quarter
After exchanging punts to end the third and start the fourth, Chicago takes over at their 33 yard line with 12:12 left in the game.
Chicago’s punishing OFFENSE is wearing down the Pack.
Forte rushes three straight plays, gaining 19 yards. This opens up another play action pass to Olsen cutting across the field.
A couple more running plays leads to third down and 3 from Green Bay 10 yard line. A quick screen to Hester produces a TD. The extra point gives Chicago a 23-14 lead.
Soldier Field is rocking.
Green Bay takes over with 8:03 left in the game and, perhaps, their season.
Rodgers connects with Donald Driver on the outside for 12 yards, followed by a 15 yard strike to Driver down the middle.
A 10 yard rush up the middle for Starks keeps the Bears honest. It also sets up a play-action fake pass to TE in the middle of the field for a 22 yard gain.
The Packers feel more comfortable now that they find themselves deep in Chicago territory with 3:54 left in the game.
Three consecutive passing plays, however, gain zero yards and Green Bay takes the points on 38 yard FG.
The Packers elect to kick the ball rather than go for the onside kick with over three minutes left and two timeouts remaining.
Unfortunately for Green Bay, Chicago is able to pick up a couple first downs with Olson third down catches, allowing the Bears to run out the clock.
Final: Chicago 23- Green Bay 20
Summary
Chicago proves that home field is still an advantage, especially with a menacing defense led by Brian Urlacher, Julius Peppers, and Tommie Harris. The Bears’ offense controlled the tempo, keeping the dangerous Green Bay offense on the sidelines for much of the game.
Notable stats:
Chicago
Jay Cutler: 20-29, 239 yards, 1 TD 0 INT
Matt Forte: 20 rushes 102 yards 1 TD
8 receptions 65 yards
Greg Olsen: 6 receptions 76 yards
Devin Hester: 3 receptions 57 yards 1 TD
Green Bay
Aaron Rodgers: 19-35, 213 yards, 2 TD 2 INT
Greg Jennings: 5 receptions, 87 yards, 1 TD
Green Bay receives the ball to start the game.
The Packers immediately go to the air. Aaron Rodgers finds Greg Jennings on a couple short routes.
After two incompletions, the Bears stop the drive when Rodgers is sacked by Tommie Harris at the Green Bay 49 yard line.
Chicago takes over at the 20 after Devin Hester cannot even sniff the punt, which lands in the corner of the end-zone.
Chicago is able to get Matt Forte going on the first drive. This opens up a play-action fake pass to Greg Olsen streaking across the field for a 32 yard gain.
After stalling on the Green Bay’s 14, Robbie Gould knocks in a 31 yard chip-shot FG.
The Packers do not abort the game-plan and continue firing the ball. The Bears expect this and they stop Green Bay on 3 downs after a near interception by Brian Urlacher.
The Bears receive the ball at their 43 yard line after another Packers punt easily eludes Hester, this time sailing out of bounds.
Chicago is able to drive the field against Green Bay via Forte catch and runs and Olsen short routes.
With 2:20 left in the quarter, Forte is able to register a TD on 1st and goal from the 1. The Bears earned that field position after Tramon Williams interfered with a Jay Cutler to Hester deep route in the end-zone.
End of 1st: Chicago 10- Green Bay 0
2nd quarter
The Packers begin their first drive of the quarter hoping to run the ball.
The Bears expect this, and force a 3rd and 13 after two rushes net -3 yards. Rodgers finds Donald Driver in the middle of the field for an important 1st down.
The Pack starts to feel momentum as they are able to get rookie James Starks open for a couple screen passes.
Chicago, on their heels, tighten up and sack Rodgers on 1st down from the Bears’ 15.
After a holding penalty backs them up, Green Bay settles for a 43 yard FG attempt, which sails wide right and leaves the Packers scoreless with 9:18 left in the half.
Looking to capitalize on the missed FG, the Bears start their drive with a reverse to Hester which nets 27 yards.
Green Bay bends but does not break while Clay Matthews, Jr. is able to get his first real pressure on Cutler and sacks him for a 9 yard loss.
Chicago is unable to move forward, but pins the Packers inside the 10 yard line with a beautiful punt and cover.
Green Bay starts to spread their wings. Rodgers completes 3 straight passes to move the ball to Chicago’s 45 yard line. After gaining 6 yards on a Brandon Jackson run, Rodgers is able to take advantage of a play-action fake and finds Jennings on a fly pattern down the sidelines for a 39 yard TD with 3:19 left in the half, cutting the lead to 10-7.
Chicago and Cutler execute the two-minute offense to perfection with a couple short gains followed by a Johnny Knox 23 yard reception.
The drive stalls at Green Bay’s 5 yard line, and Chicago elects to kick the FG to close out the half.
Halftime: Chicago 13- Green Bay 7
3rd quarter
The Bears receive the 2nd half kickoff.
As they have all game, the Bears move down the field with a nice mix of Forte and Olsen.
After driving to the Packers’ 19 yard line, Chicago settles for their third FG of the game, extending the lead to 16-7 with 11:01 left in the third.
Green Bay hopes to build off their last offensive possession and continue throwing the ball. The biggest play of this opening drive comes on a John Kuhn 24 yard screen pass to the Bears’ 13 yard line.
Two plays later, a pump-faking Aaron Rodgers connects with TE Andrew Quarless in the back middle of the end-zone.
Chicago’s offense starts to sputter as they are forced to punt after three plays net 3 yards.
Down only 16-14 with 4:20 left in the quarter, Green Bay now feels that this game is theirs for the taking.
A couple of runs by Jackson and another screen to Kuhn put Green Bay on the Bears’ 29 yard line.
The Pack seem to be clicking until a well-timed zone-blitz confuses Rodgers and forces him to blindly collide with Danieal Manning, forcing a fumble which is recovered by Julius Peppers and returned to the Green Bay 36 yard line.
End of 3rd : Chicago 16- Green Bay 14
4th quarter
After exchanging punts to end the third and start the fourth, Chicago takes over at their 33 yard line with 12:12 left in the game.
Chicago’s punishing OFFENSE is wearing down the Pack.
Forte rushes three straight plays, gaining 19 yards. This opens up another play action pass to Olsen cutting across the field.
A couple more running plays leads to third down and 3 from Green Bay 10 yard line. A quick screen to Hester produces a TD. The extra point gives Chicago a 23-14 lead.
Soldier Field is rocking.
Green Bay takes over with 8:03 left in the game and, perhaps, their season.
Rodgers connects with Donald Driver on the outside for 12 yards, followed by a 15 yard strike to Driver down the middle.
A 10 yard rush up the middle for Starks keeps the Bears honest. It also sets up a play-action fake pass to TE in the middle of the field for a 22 yard gain.
The Packers feel more comfortable now that they find themselves deep in Chicago territory with 3:54 left in the game.
Three consecutive passing plays, however, gain zero yards and Green Bay takes the points on 38 yard FG.
The Packers elect to kick the ball rather than go for the onside kick with over three minutes left and two timeouts remaining.
Unfortunately for Green Bay, Chicago is able to pick up a couple first downs with Olson third down catches, allowing the Bears to run out the clock.
Final: Chicago 23- Green Bay 20
Summary
Chicago proves that home field is still an advantage, especially with a menacing defense led by Brian Urlacher, Julius Peppers, and Tommie Harris. The Bears’ offense controlled the tempo, keeping the dangerous Green Bay offense on the sidelines for much of the game.
Notable stats:
Chicago
Jay Cutler: 20-29, 239 yards, 1 TD 0 INT
Matt Forte: 20 rushes 102 yards 1 TD
8 receptions 65 yards
Greg Olsen: 6 receptions 76 yards
Devin Hester: 3 receptions 57 yards 1 TD
Green Bay
Aaron Rodgers: 19-35, 213 yards, 2 TD 2 INT
Greg Jennings: 5 receptions, 87 yards, 1 TD
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