The Chicago Bears Are For Real: Defeat Packers 20-17

Now do you believe?

In the 180^th meeting between the bitter rivals, the Chicago Bears outlasted the Green Bay Packers 20-17 at a raucous Solider Field on Monday Night Football.

Not many, if any, believed the Bears would be standing alone as the only undefeated team in the NFC. Subdued expectations, reached new lows after the Bears’ finished the preseason dazed, confused, 0-4, and looking for answers. The season opening “process” win over the Lions, did nothing to ease the angst of Bears’ nation.

Even last week’s 27-20 win over Dallas in Big D, left fans wanting more. Sure, Jay Cutler looked great, torching the Dallas secondary to the tune of three touchdowns, while Brian Urlacher reintroduced himself as a dominate player, but still questions remained to the staying power of the Bears’ 2-0 start.  

Given an opportunity to prove their legitimacy Monday night, the Bears did not disappoint.

Facing a Packers team favored by many to win the NFC North, the Bears showed the resiliency, and a commitment to all three phases of the game, that has quickly become the staple of this 2010 version of the Monsters of the Midway.

While never clicking on all cylinders, the Bears offense was able to score at critical junctions of the game. Trailing 10-0 late in the 2^nd quarter, Jay Cutler connected on 4 of 4 passes for 44 yards and a 9 yard touchdown pass to Greg Olsen to cut the Packers lead to three.

Continuing their strong play, the Bears defense held the Packers scoreless in the third quarter, thanks to constant pressure from Julius Peppers. While for the second straight game Peppers did not record a sack, the impact of the 6-7 defensive end could be felt all game long, with constant forced holding penalties and false starts.

The fourth quarter began with a bang as Devin Hester returned his first kick for a touchdown in two years, with his 62 yard punt return that put the Bears ahead 14-10.

The Packers made one final stand with an Aaron Rodgers three yard touchdown run, which gave the Packers their final lead at 17-14. But on this day the Bears would not be denied.

After tying the game with a Robbie Gould field goal, the Bears opportunistic defense forced a James Jones fumble. Following a pair of Packers penalties, Robbie Gould was good as gold with a game winning 19 yard chip shot.

It may not have been the most visual aesthetically pleasing game, but the Bears beat a top NFC team. Winning – any type of way – is not something many thought the Bears would do much of this year, and they should be happy of it, ugly or not.