The Chicago Bears’ late attempt at a comeback against the Green Bay Packers fell short as the Bears lost 21-13 at Lambeau Field on Sunday.
For all intents and purposes, Sunday’s game against the Packers was a playoff game for the Bears. But it still ended in heartbreak for Chicago, as it usually does against Green Bay.
The Bears’ (7-7) playoff hopes are all but dashed with the loss — and they can be officially eliminated later today with a Vikings win or tie or even a Rams loss.
The Bears have now lost seven of their last eight games against the Packers, and Green Bay has now won 17 of the last 20 games in this decade against Chicago.
Believe it or not, there was a chance for the Bears on the final play of the game. After Tarik Cohen lateraled it to Mitchell Trubisky, who lateraled it to Jesper Horsted, the rookie tight end had a chance to win it for Chicago. If Horsted would’ve pitched it to receiver Allen Robinson, the Bears would’ve scored an improbable touchdown and had a chance to tie the game with a two-point conversion.
I am upset. #Bears100 went out swinging. pic.twitter.com/9fTiFWizKG
— Vinnie Parise (@VinnieParise) December 15, 2019
But the game was lost long before that final series, where the Bears offense couldn’t muster anything until the fourth quarter when it was all but too late. Kind of similar to the season opener.
The Bears offense was coming off two of its best games all season, but they couldn’t put it together against Mike Pettine and the Packers defense until it was too late. While the Bears offense mustered 429 total yards of offense, they were only able to put 13 points on the board.
Defensive tackle Akiem Hicks made his grand return, but he was clearly struggling with his elbow injury throughout the game. Still, Hick finished with four tackles and two quarterback hits. Outside linebacker Khalil Mack was a virtual no-show minus one tackle for loss in the fourth quarter. As was noted “Packer Killer” Leonard Floyd, who finished with one tackle.
The Packers jumped out to a 21-3 lead heading into the fourth quarter. But as desperation set it, Trubisky and the Bears offense cut the lead to a single score — 21-13 — following a field goal and then a 67-yard touchdown drive.
But still, it wasn’t enough.
After two fantastic games, Trubisky was brought back down to Earth by the Packers defense. He finished 29-of-53 for 348 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, one of which was a Hail Mary at the end of the first half.
While the Bears entered 2019 with Super Bowl aspirations, it looks as if their season is all-but-over with yet another loss to the Packers.