The Green Bay Packers got back into the win column, beating the Chicago Bears by a score of 28-19.
Most people would think this matchup is a clash of two historic rivals at a low point in their histories fighting for bragging rights, and they would be right. But with the Packers beating the Bears this week, not only did they keep alive their slim chances of making the playoffs, they eclipsed the Bears for the most wins by a franchise in NFL history, a record Chicago has held for over a century.
Considering that nobody knows what the future holds for Aaron Rodgers next season, it was good to see him renew his ownership over the Bears franchise. Forty percent of his wins this year have come against a team he has so thoroughly dominated his entire career.
Here are five numbers that tell the story of the Packers’ win over the Bears.
119
A.J. Dillon may have had his best performance of the season, totaling 119 yards from scrimmage, plus a touchdown. Coming into this season, expectations for Dillon were high. Many fans and analysts thought this would be the year he finally split the work evenly with Aaron Jones. Everyone knew that the Packers would have to lean on the running game to fill the void of Davante Adams’ departure
That hasn’t been the case. Jones has seen the majority of the workload again. However, Dillon proved that he is a valuable member of this offense against Chicago. On 18 carries, Dillon rushed for 93 yards and a score, with another 26 yards coming through the air.
Jones has overshadowed Dillon for most of the season. However, these last two weeks have shown that he can be effective when he gets the chance to carry the ball.
0
Keisean Nixon was outstanding in coverage, allowing zero catches on 22 coverage snaps. Injuries have derailed Green Bay’s season, and it has exposed the lack of position depth in some important areas. With Eric Stokes out for the rest of the season, Nixon has had to fill in, and he has done so admirably.
The Bears didn’t target him until the end of the game when quarterback Justin Fields threw him the ball on a game-sealing interception.
Nobody was expecting Nixon to be such a key figure in the secondary this year. However, he has been a welcome surprise to a unit decimated by injuries. Between finding Rasul Douglas last year and Nixon this season, the Packers could wind up with one of the best cornerback rooms next year.
2
After earning Offensive Rookie of the Month in November, wide receiver Christian Watson added to his insane touchdown tally with two more scores. Watson started the game by getting Green Bay’s first touchdown of the game on a 14-yard catch. He’s been on a tear since finding his stride against the Dallas Cowboys. This was his seventh touchdown catch in only four games.
As if that wasn’t enough, Watson also added a touchdown on the ground with a 46-yard run to seal the game. Watson has turned from zero to hero this season, with his midseason turnaround giving hope for Green Bay’s receiver room next year.
Though he still has room to grow in his ability to get separation as a route runner, anytime the ball finds itself with No. 9, there is a chance he could take it to the house.
0
Despite not being at his best this season after returning from an ACL tear, Elgton Jenkins had an incredible day in pass protection, allowing no pressure on his pass-blocking snaps. The offensive line has been one of the bright spots this season. However, despite their play as a unit, Jenkins hadn’t quite returned to form this season.
Although Chicago’s defensive line is one of the worst in the NFL at rushing the passer, this game could have been the boost that Jenkins needed to get his confidence and his play right for the rest of the season.
787
With this win, the Packers officially become the franchise with the most NFL wins, eclipsing the Bears with 787 all-time victories. Sunday’s win marks the first time in over a century that the Bears have not been the most-winning franchise in NFL history.
You could argue that this season has largely been a failure, with this team failing to hit the lofty goals that we had all set for them. However, there is a certain pleasure in taking one of Chicago’s few records from them — in their stadium, no less.
The Bears have been a miserable and destitute franchise since 1985, and taking away one of their few bragging rights is nothing short of glorious. While Bears fans will feel the agony of their greatest rival stripping away their record, Packers fans will sit back and wonder if they can even call this a rivalry anymore. Chicago has only won four games against them since 2010.
