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Another big completion from Love, this one a 15-yard dart to Kraft on third-and-8.
Packers vs. Bears score, takeaways: Jordan Love, Green Bay punch playoff ticket with clutch win over Chicago
Love threw two touchdowns in Green Bay's 17-9 victory
By
Bryan DeArdo
•
1 min read
Jordan Love's first year as the Packers' starting quarterback will extend into the postseason. Love helped the Packers clinch a playoff berth after leading Green Bay to a 17-9 win over the Bears in Week 18. The win marked the Packers' 10th straight over the rival Bears.
Love was nothing short of brilliant on Sunday. The 2020 first-round pick threw for 316 yards and two touchdowns on 27-of-32 passing. Both of his touchdown passes were caught by Dontayvion Wicks, while Jayden Reed led both teams with 112 yards on four catches.
Love had plenty of help from running back Aaron Jones, who rumbled for 111 yards on 22 carries. Conversely, Bears quarterback Justin Fields received little help from a Chicago ground game that as a team picked up 75 yards on 25 carries.
With little running game, the Bears never found the end zone and had to settle for three Cairo Santos field goals. The lack of a running game also contributed to Fields being sacked five times. Quay Walker led the Packers' defense with nine tackles and one sack of Fields.
Here's a closer look at what transpired on Sunday.
Why the Packers won
One quarterback had a running game, the other one didn't. No surprise, it was the quarterback that had a running game was the one that game out on top. The Packers' near perfect offensive balance led to big days for both Love and Jones. Love also had stellar protection that allowed him to complete passes to seven different teammates.
Green Bay was also money on possession downs. The Packers were 7 of 10 on third down on offense and held the Bears' offense to just 3 of 11 on third down. Green Bay's defense also held Chicago to 0 of 2 in the red zone.
Why the Bears lost
Fields and the Bears' offense had some early success, but it was clear early on that that success wouldn't be sustainable if Chicago's running game continued to be a non-factor. Unfortunately for the Bears, that's exactly what happened.
Chicago's inability to run the ball put Fields in too many obvious passing situations. The Packers took advantage by pinning their ears back and blitzing Fields, who spent a lot of the game picking himself off the ground.
Turning point
Chicago got the turnover it needed when Jaquon Brisker scooped up Love's fumble on a third down run at midfield late in the third quarter. Instead of taking the lead, the Bears had to settle for a field goal on their ensuing drive, cutting its deficit to 14-9.
The Packers quickly recouped those points after a 59-yard catch-and-run by Reed set up a short Anders Carlson's field goal. The Bears punted on their next drive, and the Packers put the game on ice when Love hit tight end Tucker Kraft for a 15-yard gain on a third-down play on the game's final drive.
Play of the game
Love's second touchdown pass ended up being the game-winning score. The touchdown, which came on a third-down play, was the result of a perfect throw by Love and Wicks not being denied at the goal line.
Quotable
"I feel like we just keep getting better and better. We haven't reached our ceiling yet. We're going to keep that mindset going into the playoffs. Go in there with that underdog mentality." -- Love to CBS Sports on the Packers' chances in the playoffs
What's next
The Packers will face the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the NFC playoffs. Green Bay has won four straight games over the Cowboys that includes a 34-31 win in the 2017 playoffs.
The Bears will head into the offseason after finishing the 2023 season with a 7-10 record. Chicago will soon turn its attention to an offseason that includes having the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Updates
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Jones picks up a big first down to keep the clock moving as Chicago has to call a timeout. Packers getting closer to icing this game and a playoff spot.
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Another sack of Fields forces the Bears to punt. They're going to have to force a quick stop here to give themselves one last chance to tie the game.
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Officials deem that Melton did not maintain possession, so the Packers have to settle for a FG and a 17-9 lead with 10:54 left.
Here's a look at Reed's catch that set up the score.
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Love's dart to Bo Melton in the end zone was almost a TD, but Melton did not have complete control before he rolled out of the back of the end zone. The play might be reviewed. The ball never hit the ground but Melton didn't appear to have control.
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Big completion from Love to Jayden Reed on the Packers' first play of their ensuing drive. The 59-yard catch-and-run gives the Packers a first down in the red zone. Love now up to 270 yards.
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So Bears get 3 off the turnover, but that feels like a win for the Packers. Chicago 0-2 in the red zone so far.
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Bears once again half to settle for a field goal, cutting their deficit to 14-9.
Carrington Valentine had a nice PBU on Fields' third down pass to Kmet, but a holding call would have negated the possible completion anyways.
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Cole Kmet with a great catch downfield. Takes a shot but is able to maintain possession as he hits the ground.
Bears are now in the red zone.
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Packers take a 14-6 lead into the fourth quarter, but the Bears are on the move. Love has been the star so far with 210 yards and two touchdowns on 21 of 25 passing.
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Big fumble by Love that is scooped up by Jaquon Brisker. Might be the play that turns things around for the Bears. But they need to capitalize on this.
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12-yard run by Melton gives the Packers a first down on their ensuing drive. Packers have 95 rushing yards to Chicago's 59.
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Packers bring the house and sack Fields on third down, ending another promising drive.
Once again, Chicago's lack of a running game biting them in the rear. Herbert had runs of 1 and 2 yards to end the drive.
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Wicks comes up with his second TD of the game, extending the Packers' lead to 14-6. Love completed each of his four passes on the drive.
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Bad end of the half for the Packers, who were unable to add to their lead after Wicks' progress was stopped short on the final play of the half.
GB has to settle fro a 7-6 halftime lead.
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Kenny Clark's sack of Fields forces the Bears to settle for another field goal.
Fields has been sacked three times, which is partly due to the Bears being in too many obvious passing downs. Chicago has just 29 yards on 12 carries so far.
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Fields hits DJ Moore for a 33-yard yard gain to get the Bears back in the red zone.
Fields is 8 of 9 for 94 yards so far. Moore has been his main target with 53 yards on 3 grabs.
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Packers take the lead on Love's TD pass to Dontayvion Wicks. Great protection and a great throw by Love off his back foot.
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Fields is in a good grove so far with 55 yards on 6 of 6 passing. But he isn't getting much help on the ground with just 15 yards on six carries. That'll have to improve if the Bears are going to win.
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Romeo Doubs almost makes an incredible catch in the end zone but wasn't able to hang on. Love is sacked on the next play, and GB misses a 41-yard field goal. Brutal.
Jones had six touches on the drive, while Love went 4 of 6 for 37 yards.
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Love hits Jones on a third down play to convert GB's first first down. Jones should have a bigger role today with Dillon being out.
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Good opening drive for the Bears, who take an early 3-0 lead. An 18-yard gain to Equanimeous St. Brown's 18-yard catch set up the FG.
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Bears will get the ball to start the game. Chicago will start past the 30-yard-line after a nice return.
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Inactives
Several big names won't play today, including Watson and Dillon for GB and Mooney and Foreman for CHI.
- 9 WR Christian Watson
- 28 RB AJ Dillon
- 57 LB Brenton Cox Jr.
- 58 LB Isaiah McDuffie
- 72 T Caleb Jones
- 86 WR Grant DuBose
Chicago Bears
- 11 WR Darnell Mooney
- 21 RB D'Onta Foreman
- 27 DB Greg Stroman Jr.
- 69 OL Ja'Tyre Carter
- 17 QB Tyson Bagent
- 26 DB Quindell Johnson
- 33 DB Jaylon Johnson
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Welcome to our coverage of Packers-Bears. A classic rivalry game with so much at stake today. The Packers are hoping to sew up a playoff spot, while the Bears are hoping to play the role of spoiler.
This is a big game for Justin Fields and Jordan Love. Love can cap off a successful first season as GB's starting QB with a win. Conversely, Fields can further convince the Bears to commit to him as their starter moving forward.
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