By: Jimmie Sykes

The Green Bay Packers (5-8) came through late at Soldier Field to seal a 28-19 win over the Chicago Bears (3-10).

Losing games has (un)fortunately been beneficial factor for the Bears in this stage of the year. Playoff contention was a long shot since the beginning of the season. Cap space runs galore for this organization next season. 

Justin Fields solidified that he is the guy for Chicago. Another record-breaking performance came about for the second-year quarterback in a loss against Green Bay. 

Fields became the first Quarterback in NFL history with three 50+yard rushing touchdowns, accomplishing the feat in a month. He turned on the jets in the first quarter for a 55-yard touchdown run to make the score 10-0 in the first. Book him as the first quarterback in NFL history to rush for a touchdown in six straight games.

Despite an early lead, Bears let yet another one slip away in the 4th quarter. A conservative 3rd-and-5 up the gut to David Montgomery was one of many questionable plays. Montgomery finished with 14 carries for 61 yards and a touchdown. AJ Dillion carried the load for Green Bay on the ground primarily. Dillon finished with 18 carries for 94 yards and a touchdown. The Packers ran the ball for 175 yards, 20 more than the league-leading Bears.

This Bears team lacked the ability to finish close games through the length of the season. Aaron Rodgers reigned supreme in his matchup with Chicago, improving to a 25-5 record. After the game, he called Chicago his “second home”. He finished 18 of 31 for 182 yards and a touchdown in the matchup. The Bears' defense had a hard time getting after him. Zero sacks, takeways, and QB hits were tallied in the loss. 

“ I thought our game plan was good. As for the defensive coaches, I thought they did a nice job putting it together. We looked at doing some different things up front. I thought that worked well in the run game,” said Eberflus. 

Justin Fields' best game through the air was spoiled with two interceptions. He also finished with an 80 percent completion percentage (20/25) and 246 yards. Green Bay defensive back Jaire Alexander anticipated Justin Fields' throw to St. Brown to force a costly turnover. The interception set up a 46-yard jet sweep from rookie Christian Watson. 

“I think 23 made a great play on that play. EQ was underneath him. At that point, once you throw that ball, you anticipate the throw, and then boom he jumped it, and really at that point, you just like to see the receiver come back to the ball,” said Fields. 

Chicago is officially eliminated from playoff contention, headed into the bye week. Currently, the Bears hold the second pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. Maintaining the second through the fifth pick should be a high priority. Getting playing like Alex Leatherwood, Jaylon Jones, and Jack Sanborn more reps is vital to the morale of the young players. Following the bye, the Bears take on the 11-1 Philadelphia Eagles at home.