Packers defensive back Keisean Nixon stopped the Bears from scoring and sealed up a 28-21 win with a late fourth-quarter interception in the 211th meeting between Green Bay and Chicago on Dec. 7 at Lambeau Field.
Down seven and facing a fourth-and-1 from the Packers’ 14-yard line, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams took the snap, rolled to the left and threw a lofting pass to the end zone. It landed in the hands of Nixon, essentially icing the game.
“We were in man (coverage), and my guy went behind the line of scrimmage and I was chasing,” said Nixon. “I saw somebody go free, and I just chased. It wasn’t even my man.”
Nixon’s interception adds another chapter to the ever-growing story of the historic rivalry, as the Packers now own a 109-96-6 advantage and have won 10 out of the last 11 matchups.
While the rivalry has been fairly one-sided over the past two decades, this past week’s matchup felt a little more intense than seasons’ past. That is due to the Bears coming into this game as the NFC North’s leading team as well as the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoff picture.
Green Bay was up for the test and defeated Chicago for the team’s third straight divisional win, elevating to the top of the NFC North.
“It is huge. It is a very big win, obviously, just where we are at in the NFC North,” said Packers quarterback Jordan Love. “In the division that we have, I think we have some really good teams, and obviously the Bears were on top, so we knew what it was coming into it, and it is a huge win.”
Love was one of the major factors why Green Bay was able to come away with the win, as he completed 17-of-25 passes for 234 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Love also topped 3,000 passing yards on the season in this game.
Love and the Packers continued to ride the hot hand of wide receiver Christian Watson, who finished the game with 89 yards and two touchdowns on four receptions. Watson now has 264 yards and five touchdowns on 17 receptions over Green Bay’s past four games.
“We were all sick, and we knew what it meant to him and obviously it was going to be a long recovery for him to get back,” Love said of Watson, who tore his ACL against the Bears last season to end the year. “Like I mentioned before, we all watched him during rehab and things like that throughout the offseason and training camp to be able to get back, and I just think he has been playing at a really high level right now. He talked in the locker room after, but this game meant a lot to him for that reason — to be able to come out healthy and obviously have two big-time touchdown catches and make some other big-time plays. Since he has been back, he has been making play after play.”
Bo Melton caught Love’s third touchdown pass, finishing the game with just the one reception for 45 yards and a touchdown.
Jayden Reed made his return to the field this week after suffering a foot injury to start the season and a collarbone injury in Week 2. The Michigan State alum recorded 31 yards on four receptions.
In the run game, Josh Jacobs led the team with 86 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. Emanuel Wilson added another 10 yards on three carries.
For the Bears, Williams finished the game completing 19-of-35 passes for 186 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Rookie Luther Burden led Chicago in receiving, as he caught four passes for 67 yards. Tight end Colston Loveland finished the game with 29 yards and a touchdown on four receptions, while Olamide Zaccheaus hauled in Williams’ other touchdown pass.
D’Andre Swift paced the run game for the Bears, totaling 63 yards on 13 carries, while Kyle Monangai added 57 yards on 14 carries.
With the win, Green Bay now owns the top spot in the NFC North. With the Los Angeles Rams also winning, Green Bay sits at the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoff picture. As it stands, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, the Packers have an estimated 94% chance to make the playoffs.
Green Bay gets a chance to further improve those odds as they prepare for a matchup with the AFC-leading, 11-2 Denver Broncos this week.
