Packers Edge Bears in Nail-Biting Contest, Extend Winning Streak
In yet another riveting chapter of their storied rivalry, the Green Bay Packers narrowly defeated the Chicago Bears with a 20-19 victory in Week 11, extending their dominance over the Bears to 11 consecutive games. This streak began with the arrival of head coach Matt LaFleur in 2019, whose leadership has been instrumental in maintaining the Packers' edge.
Under LaFleur’s guidance, the Packers have infused new energy and strategy, consistently finding ways to outmaneuver their Chicago adversaries. This latest win was no exception, showcasing both tactical foresight and a little bit of luck. Rich Bisaccia, the special teams coordinator, had emphatically stated to the team, "I will not understand if we come out of this game without a block, on a field goal or a PAT." His proclamation became a self-fulfilling prophecy as the game reached a climactic moment.
The defensive highlight of the evening belonged to Karl Brooks, who stepped up in a major way by blocking a crucial 46-yard field goal attempt from Cairo Santos, the Bears’ reliable kicker. Santos had already successfully converted field goals from 53 yards and 27 yards earlier in the match, but the Packers were determined to disrupt his rhythm. In capturing the moment, Brooks recounted, “To be honest, I didn't see anything. Same formation. I got penetration, just wanted it more. Got a hand up."
This decisive block encapsulated the Packers’ resilience. Brooks further shared the thrill of his pivotal play: “I'm visualizing myself blocking the kick. Like I said, I just wanted it more. I just fired off the ball and wanted to get a win. It was just [an] unbelievable feeling. At first when I touched it, I didn't think I got enough of it and it fell short. That's when I really celebrated. ... It was cool. It was a good experience."
The Packers’ defense, anchored by the formidable presence of Kenny Clark, who boasts three Pro Bowl selections, was instrumental throughout the game. Clark noted the strategic preparation that anticipated the Bears' vulnerabilities. "We talked about T.J. [Slaton] or KB [Karl Brooks] blocking the kick all week. They've got holes in their field goal protection, and a couple of them got close. .... It was a problem,” Clark explained, emphasizing the thoroughness of their game plan.
Xavier McKinney also reflected on the team's success in breaking through the Bears' line, “We saw that through the middle we could get a good push and we believed that the guys that we have were going to play big and play strong up front. We were able to get that push that we needed. We got it when we needed in a big-time situation.”
Despite the valiant efforts of Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, Chicago could not overcome the Packers’ defensive maneuvers and critical special teams intervention. With this victory, the Packers improved their season record to 7-3, affirming their position as formidable contenders in the league.
As the Packers celebrate this hard-fought win, LaFleur and his team are undoubtedly already looking to leverage the momentum to sustain their successful run. With the depth of experience and strategic acumen that has come to define LaFleur's tenure, the Packers appear to be a force ready to tackle whatever challenges lie ahead.