Despite the Green Bay Packers’ complete dominance over the last decade, they can still find a way to make the game more compelling against their biggest rival, the Chicago Bears. The Packers had a one-point victory on Sunday – their record 11th straight in their greatest rivalry – within reach.
At this point, NFL fans are used to Green Bay beating Chicago. This time, however, was different from all others.
A trick play by quarterback Jordan Love gave the Packers a 20-19 lead with less than three minutes remaining. After scoring two points, the Bears only needed a field goal for their first victory over Green Bay since 2018.
Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams made several key throws to bring the Packers within 28. The kicker had three seconds left. Cairo Santos he had a chance to be a hero if he connected on a 46-yard shot. But instead of watching the ball sail through the posts and into the net, Santos watched as the ball bounced off the fingers of a Green Bay defender before falling unsuccessfully into the end zone.
That wasn’t how it ended for the Packers, but it was a much-needed victory that avoided a third league loss of the season.
Coming out of the bye week, Green Bay was hampered by the same mistakes that plagued them in the first half of the season. Jordan Love intercepted the ball badly, the offense failed to produce points on two trips to the red zone, and quick passes were another inconsistent result. Yet the Packers once again overcame it all and claimed their seventh victory of the season.
Here are the highlights who contributed most to Green Bay’s Week 11 victory.
BOOM.#GBvsCHI pic.twitter.com/jPJuWrw8nt
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) November 17, 2024
After making the roster as an undrafted free agent for the second straight year, Cox had a balmy streak through the first nine games of 2024. That changed on Sunday when was inserted into the defensive game plan as a key rotational element. Finally getting a chance to see the field, Cox made his presence felt almost immediately as he passed a pulling blocker to stop running D’Andre Fast on the defense line in the first defensive action. Then in the next over he got through the line untouched and dismissed Williams for a huge loss. Bears they were forced play two plays later. The Packers were looking for someone to strengthen their team after trading Preston Smith, and today it was Cox who recorded his first official tackle and was sacked in the same game. Although has been unlocked in his two best plays, Cox had an influential performance among the Greens Baya Edge Rushers are a group that needs to bounce back after a disappointing first half of the season.
Mark Hoffman Network/USA TODAY via Imagn Images
For the most part, things worked well when the ball was in Jacobs’ hands on Sunday. After an impressive first half of the season, Jacobs had a good day in Chicago, both on the ground and in the air. Jacobs had 78 total rushing yards and a season-best 58 yards on 134 yards from scrimmage on 22 touches. The Packers gave Jacobs a four-year, $48 million contract this offseason, and so far it’s been money well spent.
Depending on the week, Green Bay may have a different No. 1 wide receiver. This week, it was Watson, who threw for a career-high 150 yards on just four receptions. When Jacobs wasn’t the one playing a key role on offense, it was Watson. He was responsible for three invigorating plays, including a 25-yard reception that set up Jacobs for a touchdown early in the second half. Love then showed great confidence in Watson when he picked one up to a well-covered receiver and took it 48 yards. Unfortunately, the offense failed to capitalize, turning the ball over on fourth down and scoring. It still remains Watson’s best play, a 60-yard catch-and-run after a diving catch slow in the fourth quarter. Watson’s heads-up play gave Green Bay the go-ahead touchdown that gave them the win.
Christian Watson, what a play!
📺: #GBvsCHI on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/UtRqIgUes4— NFL (@NFL) November 17, 2024
November 17, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) was sacked in the fourth quarter at Soldier Field by Green Bay Packers defensive back Tedarrell Slaton (93). Mandatory credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images
Known primarily for his run defense, Slaton was unexpectedly sacked on the final drive, his first sack since his rookie season. Williams had no one available on the first play, which gave Slaton enough time to get to the QB and put the Bears in a second, long situation. It ended up being his only tackle of the game, but it was an significant one.
(Photo: Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Was this a gigantic performance for the Packers’ leading rusher? No, but Gary added one of his own after sacking Slaton, giving the Bears a 3rd-and-19 in the gigantic moment. Gary Bull threw Braxton Jones into Williams’ lap before backing away and trying to throw the ball away. The sack wasn’t much as Chicago scored first and got within field goal range, but it was still a positive for Gary, who only has 3.5 sacks on the year. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come for Gary.
PACKERS BLOCK THE VICTORY GOAL.#GBvsCHI pic.twitter.com/gq8zbz965C
— NFL (@NFL) November 17, 2024
On Sunday, his name was mentioned only once, but it was related to the most significant play in the match. On Santos’ game-winning field goal attempt, Brooks was the one to knock the ball down and block the kick, securing the victory. It was the second blocked game-winning kick in as many weeks, following the Kansas City Chiefs’ narrow victory over the Denver Broncos in Week 10. After the game, Matt LaFleur said that special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia noticed a weakness in Chicago’s field goal blocking unit and expected at least one block on Sunday. Thanks to Brooks, his predictions came true.
