Ty Montgomery
Aaron Rodgers didn’t throw a touchdown pass and Jordy Nelson didn’t have a touchdown catch, but the two connected for a 60-yard pass play in the final minute, which led Mason Crosby’s 32-yard game winning field goal to give the Green Bay Packers a 30-27 victory over the Bears in Chicago.
Rodgers long strike came on a 3rd and 11 play and the Packers had no timeouts. So Rodgers hustled his team up to the line of scrimmage, just in time to spike the ball, stop the clock and give Crosby time to get the winning kick off.
For the first time since 1933, the series is tied. The Packers victory drew the two teams even at 94-wins apiece with six ties.
The Packers led by 17-points in the final quarter, but the Bears didn’t quit. Bears quarterback Matt Barkley, who had thrown two interceptions in the third quarter, led three scoring drives in the fourth quarter to tie the game.
It looked like the game was headed for overtime, until Rodgers and Nelson hooked up for the big pass play.
The Packers went into the game, knowing they would need a big performance from Ty Montgomery. They had no idea they’d get a career day from Montgomery. He rushed 16 times for 162 yards and two touchdowns. The last Packers running back to gain more than that in a regular-season game was Samkon Gado (171) in 2005.
Throw in Christine Michael’s 45 yards on four carries, with a 42-yard touchdown run and the Packers ground game finished with 207 yards and three touchdowns.
Things could have been a little easier on the Packers if Davante Adams hadn’t dropped a pair of touchdown passes. Adams has been so good this season, but Sunday, he had one of his worst days as a pro.
Defensively, Damarious Randall struggled and was eventually benched. It didn’t seem to matter.
The Packers had four more take/aways, three interceptions and one fumble recovery. It gives them ten in the last two games, equaling the 10 they had in the first 10 games.
The Packers improved to 8-6 and coupled with a 17-6 loss by the Lions to the New York Giants, puts Green Bay in the driver’s seat. Two more wins, including the finale against the Lions, would give the Packers the NFC North Division crown.
The Packers will host the Vikings this Christmas Eve Saturday in a noon game at Lambeau Field.
AUDIO: Jordy Nelson on the 60-yard pass play :10
AUDIO: Aaron Rodgers on the pass play to Jordy Nelson :21
AUDIO: Ty Montgomery on his big day :08