Sunday, December 13, 2009

Halftime: Packers 13 - Bears 7

The Packers drive coming out of the end of the first quarter ended when the Packers stalled out. Mason Crosby hit a 26-yard field goal to put the Packers up 13-0.

This continues a disturbing trend we have seen a lot in the first half of games this season: the Packers have long sustained drives only to stall out in the redzone and have to settle for field goals instead of touchdowns. This keeps mediocre teams, like Da Bearz, in the game.

And, in fact, that's just what happened. Da Bearz put together a 13-play, 90-yard (including penalties) drive to pull within 6 points with less than 2 minutes remaining in the half. The score came on 19-yard pass into the endzone from Jay Cutler to Johnny Knox. Earlier in the drive, Charles Woodson had a chance at his second interception of the day at the endzone but dropped the ball when hitting the ground. Dang.

An unsportsman-like conduct penalty on the long snapper on the PAT meant the Packers should have started after the kickoff with good field position. Only problem, it was a good kick and the Packers' own element of mediocrity -- the special teams -- didn't take advantage of it. And, following the second sack on Aaron Rodgers in the half, the Packers appeared to almost want the time to expire. But Brandon Jackson converted a short 3rd down pass into a first down at about the 50 yard line with 21 seconds remaining. TE Jermichael Finley caught a pass to put the Pack in field goal position, but fumbled the ball as he was being tackled. Da Bearz recovered, took a knee, and we have more of a game on our hands than there should be.

If the Packers do what they have done in other games this season when they have missed opportunities in the first half -- that is, create and take advantage of opportunities in the second half -- another "W" is only 30-minutes away.

Go Pack Go!!!