Defense comes to play against Bears

Week 2
September 13, 2012 - 7:20 p.m. - NFL Network
Lambeau Field
Green Bay, Wisconsin

Packers 23 - Bears 10

Defense? The Packers defense finally flexed its muscle in a critical divisional game with the rival Chicago Bears.  Bears quarterback Jay Cutler went 11/27 for 126 yards while throwing four interceptions.  Cutler was also sacked seven times!  Of the four interceptions thrown by Cutler, Tramon Williams picked two of them while Charles Woodson and rookie Jerron McMillian had the others.  Clay Matthews was just about unstoppable as he finished the evening with 3 1/2 sacks.  Nonetheless, a huge victory to prevent the Packers from falling into an early hole in 2012.

Photo credit: packers.com

As for the offense, we were really out of sync again.  Greg Jennings missed tonight's game with a groin injury.  But, the Packers offense just isn't clicking yet.  It doesn't have the feel that everyone is on the same page.  I'm not sure how much this is being mentioned, but I think our offense hasn't adjusted to losing Joe Philbin to the Miami Dolphins.  But I want to see another game or two before I start questioning new offensive coordinator Tom Clements.  Note: Packers haven't scored any offensive points on their first offensive possession yet and they also haven't scored any offensive points in the first quarter yet.

Mike McCarthy made one gutsy call with his special teams unit.  Packers ran a fake field goal play and actually scored a touchdown on the play!  With 1:50 left in the 2nd quarter, holder and punter Tim Masthay threw a pass to backup tight end Tom Crabtree and he was able to outrun everyone to the endzone.  A huge play as it gave the Packers a 10-0 led late in the 1st half.  Such a risky play call by the Packers but it worked.  McCarthy said they have been working on that play for years.

With the offensive woes, a running game is certainly a way to try and spark the offense and open up the playbook.  The Packers showed some small flashes of a running game against the Bears.  Former Bear Cedric Benson ran for 81 yards on 20 carries.  Benson also caught four passes for 35 yards.

Note: Randall Cobb is becoming a huge part of our offense.  Expect to see him more involved in the offense as the season moves along.

Green Bay Packers  1-1
Minnesota Vikings  1-1
Detroit Lions  1-1
Chicago Bears  1-1