Chicago Bears Score and Recap (Week 14): Packers 45, Bears 30 – Bears Early Lead Evaporates in Packers Victory

The Bears came into Lambeau Field as a huge underdog on Sunday night. Chicago unexpectedly had three long touchdowns to take a half-time lead. The second half was a different story, the Packers returned to their old form and crushed their rivals in a double-digit win.

The Bears jumped ahead early when Jakeem Grant took a reverse shovel pass and ran it 46-yards for a touchdown. Green Bay quickly reversed that 10-0 deficit with an Aaron Rodgers touchdown pass and a pick-six of Justin Fields to move ahead 14-10 in the second quarter.

Chicago responded in a big way with a 54-yard pass hook up between Fields and Damiere Byrd. Grant then kept the momentum going, breaking out an explosive punt return, going 97 yards to put the Bears up 24-14. They would add a field goal before half in a quarter in which they scored 24 total points.

It was at that point when Rodgers and company put their foot down on Chicago’s upset hopes. The Packers scored three consecutive touchdowns to end the half and begin the third quarter.

The Bears offense ground to a complete halt in the second half. The road team mustered just three points in the third and fourth quarters as Green Bay rolled to victory. (Box score)

Why the Bears Lost

Chicago got the big plays they needed to stay in it early and give their fans a small amount of hope. The problem was two critical turnovers: the pick-six and a strip-sack that lead to 14 Green Bay points. The defense eventually broke down and could not contain Rodgers and the Packers running attack.

Key Moment

After Grant returned the punt for a touchdown, the the Packers went on a 75-yard scoring drive in just 52 seconds. A 38-yard Davante Adams TD catch capped off the lightning march which came with less than two minutes in the half.

Stats That Matter

• Fields had two touchdowns that were more the work of his receivers, but still, he had a solid game with 224 yards passing. The problem again was three more turnovers, a problem he will have to address in 2022.
• Grant Sunday was everything the Bears were hoping for when they traded for him. Maybe they can start using his game-changing speed more often in the offense.
• Second round pick Teven Jenkins made his Bears debut after starting tackle Jason Peters went down with an ankle injury. Jenkins struggled mightily, committing several penalties. Obviously, it wasn’t an easy task to be thrown into for a young player.

Bottom Line

Well the Bears made it fun for a little bit before the bottom dropped out in the second half. Justin Fields continues to battle through rookie growing pains as the season runs out. Keep an eye on him to see if the turnovers start to decrease, that will be a good sign of his growth.

Next Up

Unbelievably, Chicago is on prime time TV again in Week 15 as they welcome the Minnesota Vikings to Soldier Field on Monday Night Football. The 7:20pm CT start time airs on ESPN.