5 takeaways from Bears’ crushing loss to the Packers

A season that began with Super Bowl aspirations ended before the playoffs even began to the rivals that set them back from the start.

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2. The penalty on Cordarrelle Patterson changed the game

AP Photo/Mike Roemer

I’m not one to blame the officials for something that happens during an NFL game, but the catch interference penalty on Cordarrelle Patterson early in the first half changed the game and led to the Packers first score. When Bears punter Pat O’Donnell punted the ball away to Tramon Williams, he was met by Patterson as he was catching the ball. Williams ended up muffing the punt for a Bears recovery.

However, a penalty flag was thrown on Patterson for getting to the returner before the ball had arrived, negating the turnover. The problem was, video showed Patterson arrived after the ball was caught and the penalty should not have been called. Instead of the Bears getting the ball near midfield, Green Bay scores their first touchdown and never relinquishes the lead.

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