Jets upset Steelers, Rodgers throws 6 TDs in one half, and all of NFL Week 10˗˗the Monday Morning Realist

Every Monday morning, Section 215’s Akiem Bailum gives an in-depth and unfiltered look at all of the latest sports news in The Monday Morning Realist. You can follow Akiem on Twitter @AkiemBailum.

Taming Buffaloes

Nov 9, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins (14) and Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Ron Parker (38) go up for a ball in the end zone during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Chiefs beat the Bills 17-13. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills are not a bad football team. Let me repeat that the Buffalo Bills are not a bad football team.
They may be an under the radar type of football team given that they play in Upstate New York instead of New York City, but being 5˗3 up to this point in the season with an AFC East that features the New England Patriots is an accomplishment in itself.

Not to mention avoiding the relocation bug thanks to its new ownership.

Meanwhile, in their last few games, the Kansas City Chiefs are beginning to resemble the same team that was able to win as many games as they did last season for that period of time prior to their defense collapsing last season. Coming into this one, they too were 5˗3 which was good enough for second place in a division that will only get at most two playoff teams this season.

After a Kansas City three and out, Buffalo began its first drive with great field position at midfield. They took full advantage of it when three minutes, seven plays, and 51 yards later, Kyle Orton threw complete to Chris Hogan for the first touchdown of the game. Dan Carpenter’s extra point was good for a 7˗0 Bills lead.

The Chiefs would get on the board with their following drive. It began when Alex Smith threw complete to Dwayne Bowe before he was tackled by Stephon Gilmore who forced a fumble. But Bowe was able to recover and get 13 more yards on the play. They advanced the football to the Bills’ 18 yard line before Cairo Santos made a 36 yard field goal for a 7˗3 score.

Each team only picked up one first down on their following drives, including when Smith threw complete to A.J. Jenkins on Kansas City’s following possession.

The next three possessions overall were three and outs before the Chiefs got the ball back midway through the second quarter. On 2nd and 4 from the 36, Knile Davis lost five yards and fumbled thanks to Nigel Bradham. Jarius Wynn recovered the football for the Bills…

…who converted that turnover into points. In spite of advancing to the 8 yard line of the Chiefs, Buffalo had to settle for Carpenter’s second field goal of the game to make the score 10˗3 Bills.

Kansas City only got two first downs on their following drive before punting.

Buffalo also only got two first downs on their following drive before punting.

The Chiefs would run two more plays as the half expired.

The Bills would begin the second half with the football, and nine times out of ten, they would have scored points given how the drive had gone up to that point. They began with possession at their 24 yard line and moved the ball 11 plays for 77 yards, lasting five minutes and thirteen seconds. The last play of the drive would be a 2nd and 10 from the Chiefs’ five yard line in which Bryce Brown fumbled on a rush attempt. The turnover was caused by Ron Parker as the ball went out of bounds for a touchback.

It wouldn’t convert into any points as Kansas City would settle for a three and out, but the Bills would regain possession and convert that drive into points. On first and 10 from the Bills’ 38, Anthony Dixon ran for 27 yards to the Chiefs’ side of the field. Buffalo moved the football all the way to the 3 yard line of Kansas City before a virtual goal line stand from the Chiefs defense. The result was another Carpenter field goal, this time, from 21 yards out. 13˗3 Bills.

Kansas City would then take over again, and gain three first downs. They advanced the football to the 39 yard line of the Bills and on 3rd and 16, Smith threw to Bowe for fifteen yards. They were short.

Fourth down turned into six points when Jamaal Charles gained those 39 yards to the end zone. This made the score 13˗10.

Both teams traded three and outs, but after the Chiefs’, they punted back to Buffalo. Leoldis McKelvin was on the return and he would only go to the Bills’ 30 yard line. Plus, he fumbled and Anthony Sherman recovered at the 26 yard line.

Two plays later, Smith converted a QB keeper into an 8 yard touchdown for a Chiefs’ 17˗13 lead.

Two three and outs followed before a 23 yard return from McKelvin after a 43 yard punt to midfield gave the Bills great field position nearly at the Chiefs’ red zone. But the Bills only got one first down and couldn’t settle for a field goal at this point in the game. On 4th and 10 from the 15, Orton’s pass to Sammy Watkins was incomplete.

Kansas City got one first down on its final drive of the game that saw the Bills use up timeouts. The Bills would get the football one more time, but on 1st and 10 from the Bills’ 34, a 9 yard pass to Fred Jackson was caught then was lateraled to Hogan. That lateral resulted in a fumble and recovery by Chris Owens of Kansas City as time expired.

• Smith: 17/29, 177 yards
• Charles: 15 carries, 98 yards, 1 TD
• Bowe: 8 receptions, 93 yards

• Orton: 29/48, 253 yards, 1 TD
• Dixon: 9 carries, 62 yards
• Brown: 6 receptions, 65 yards

Week 11: BUF at MIA (Thursday), SEA at KC

Overmatched Overseas

Nov 9, 2014; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) looks for room to run during the second half of the game Dallas Cowboys and the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium Mandatory Credit: Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports

Realists, I will never get why the NFL schedules so many games in London all of a sudden. Yes, these games in London do draw a huge crowd at Wembley Stadium whenever they go across the pond, but are so many matchups in London really necessary?

Plus, this time, the game was featuring the Jacksonville Jaguars. Not exactly the Manchester United of the NFL.
Well, at least the British got to see the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, which are huge hit in the UK for obvious reasons.

There doesn’t need to be much of an explanation into what’s going on with the Jags. They stink and are virtually already out of any playoff scenario. Playing the Jaguars nowadays is the equivalent of a bye week in the NFL.

As for the Dallas Cowboys, after pulling off six straight wins after a Week 1 loss at home to the San Francisco 49ers, they have lost their last couple of games. They were defeated by Washington (and Kirk Cousins) on Monday Night Football from Jerry World, then were defeated by the Arizona Cardinals in a game in which Tony Romo didn’t even play.

Thankfully for the Cowboys, Romo’s cleats would be touching Wembley turf this weekend.

The first play of the game would be a DeMarco Murray run for 23 yards to the Cowboys’ 43 yard line. The final play of the drive that lasted six plays for 44 yards would be a Dan Bailey 54 yard field goal to give Dallas a 3˗0 lead early.

Realists, I don’t think the name Blake Bortles or Cecil Shorts ever made one of my previous Realist pieces this year, but it has now. On the Jaguars first drive on 2nd and 8 at their 32 yard line, a 24 yard throw from Bortles to Shorts moved the chains to the Cowboys’ 44 yard line. On first and 10 from the Cowboys’ 32, Denard Robinson gained not just ten but 22 yards more for a 32 yard TD and a Jags 7˗3 advantage.

Dallas would only gain one first down on its ensuing offensive series and had to punt on 4th and 12 from their 30 yard line. But on the punt, Ace Sanders muffed the punt. Fittingly, C.J. Spillman was on the recovery at the Jacksonville six yard line.

Three plays later, Romo connected for a 2 yard touchdown pass to Jason Witten to give Dallas a 10˗7 lead.
The next Jacksonville possession would be a three and out, but the Cowboys would have the football as the first quarter expired.

They would only gain one first down on its following series. The Jaguars followed that up with another three and out.
Dallas gained two first downs on its following series, and on 2nd and 8 from the Jaguars’ 35, Romo hit a home run with a 65 yard TD to Dez Bryant for a 17˗7 lead to end a five play, 65 yard drive that lasted nearly three minutes.

After the two teams’ defenses then forced three and outs, Jacksonville got possession again towards the end of the first half. After a 53 yard gain from Bortles to Shorts on 2nd and 11 at the Jaguars’ 12 yard line, a first and 10 play from the Cowboys’ 35 saw Robinson put the ball on the turf. George Selvie caused the fumble and Barry Church recovered.

The Cowboys then got two first downs on its following drive and advanced the football to the Jaguars’ 36 yard line. But, on a 2nd and 10 at the Jacksonville 36, a Romo pass to Cole Beasley saw Beasley put the ball on the turf as well. J.T. Thomas caused the fumble and Josh Evans was on the recovery.

But the Jaguars possession would result in only a three and out. On the Cowboys first play of their ensuing possession (1st and 10 from their 32) Romo connected with Bryant again, this time for a 68 yard touchdown and a 24˗7 lead.

The Jaguars would have one ore possession prior to the half expiring.

Jacksonville would start the second half with the football and their first drive featured primarily short Blake Bortles passes. But they only gained two first downs and had to punt after their drive stalled at the 48 yard line.

After gaining two first downs on its following possession, Dallas then gained six points when a 1st and 10 play from the Jags 40 resulted in a 40 yard Joseph Randle carry for a touchdown. The rout was on in Londontown. 31˗7.

The Jaguars would then gain only one first down on its following drive. The Cowboys would follow that with a three and out. Jacksonville would also gain only one first down on its ensuing possession. Dallas then had another three and out.

Needing all the points they could get with the fourth quarter underway, Jacksonville began going for it on fourth down. After beginning a drive at their 43 yard line, they gained one first down on 4th down and one after a one yard QB keeper via Bortles. The following play would be a 32 yard pickup from Bortles to Shorts for another first down.

This put Jacksonville in red zone territory, but Dallas’ defense would then force 4th and 6 at the 11. Bortles’ pass to Jordan Todman was incomplete.

The Cowboys would then take over after the turnover on downs, but the Jaguars defense forced a loss of seven yards on two plays after starting on the eleven yard line. A 4th and 16 from the five yard line resulted in a punt, but an offensive holding penalty would be enforced in the red zone for a safety. 31˗9.

The Jaguars ensuing drive would only last four plays for 37 yards. The fourth play (from the Cowboys 24 yard line) was a Bortles pass intended for Shorts but was picked off by Bruce Carter.

At this point in the game, Jacksonville began burning timeouts˗˗its last two. Dallas did get one first down, but then had to punt back.

The final drive for the Jaguars would be their best offensive series of the game. One big play came midway through when Bortles found Allen Robinson for 31 yards from the 43 yard line to the 12 yard line. It appeared on first and goal from the seven that it would end (along with the game) when Bortles was picked off by Spillman on a pass intended for Nic Jacobs, but a pass interference play made that null and void.

Two plays later, Robinson found the end zone from one yard out for a TD. Bortles’ pass to Robinson on the two point conversion attempt was good for a 31˗17 score.

But they couldn’t get 14 more points off of that drive, and Dallas would get the back after an onside kick attempt failed. Three kneel downs later, the Cowboys upped their record to 7˗3.

• Romo: 20/27, 246 yards, 3 TDs
• Murray: 19 carries, 100 yards
• Bryant: 6 receptions, 158 yards, 2 TDs

• Bortles: 22/37, 290 yards, 1 INT
• Robinson: 15 carries, 60 yards
• Shorts: 5 receptions, 119 yards

Week 11: DAL bye, JAX bye

Steel Reel

Nov 9, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver T.J. Graham (10) avoids Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Brice McCain (25) and scores a touchdown during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

This one is the textbook definition of the phrase “Any Given Sunday.” Honestly, Realists, did anyone outside of the Tri State area actually pick the New York Jets to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, even if the game was in the Meadowlands?

I don’t think even Jets fans could have predicted that one. Heck, with the trajectory that the Jets were going on after losses to the Bills and Chiefs the past two weeks, “Viewer Discretion Advised” or “Listener Discretion Advised” should be said as a warning to any Jets fans who want to watch their games.

This week would have been a perfect week to break out that as New York matched up against a Pittsburgh Steelers team that was looking like one of the hottest teams in the NFL. This was primarily because Ben Roethlisberger in the past couple of weeks has thrown for a grand total of 12 touchdown passes in two weeks. There are quarterbacks who don’t throw for 12 TDs all season and Big Ben had a dozen in two weeks.

Recipe for disaster for New York, right?

Right…?

No so fast.

The first Jets drive resulted in them taking over half of the time off the clock in the first quarter. New York gained a total of six first downs on its fourteen plays and managed to advance the football all the way to the 4 yard line of Pittsburgh. But, they had to settle for a 23 yard field goal from Nick Folk for a 3˗0 lead.

The Steelers would only gain one first down on its first drive of the game.

The second score of the game actually was the first play of the ensuing Jets drive when T.J. Graham was the recipient of a 67 yard touchdown pass courtesy of Michael Vick for a 10˗0 Jets lead.

?!?!

The ensuing Steelers possession would only last for one play. Roethlisberger completed to Antonio Brown, but Muhammad Wilkerson caused a fumble recovered by Jaiquawn Jarrett. After one first down gain, Vick passed to Jace Amaro for a five yard touchdown a 17˗0 New York advantage.

Pittsburgh would gain possession as the first quarter ended and the second half began. They got 12 plays in for 60 yards and it continued for nearly eight minutes. But a 2nd and 8 play from the 10 yard line of New York was picked from Roethlisberger to Jarrett.

The Jets would convert two plays into first downs and would’ve done so with another when Vick passed to Amaro for 21 yards, but an offensive pass interference flag made that null and void.

Two plays later on 4th and 8 from the New York 38, they punted back to Brown who muffed a catch. Graham recovered at the Steelers’ 28 yard line.

After a one yard gain, an incomplete pass, and a sack, they tried another field goal from Folk but his 45 yard attempt was wide to the left.

Pittsburgh had one more chance to score as the half was about to expire. Roethlisberger threw for 15 yards on consecutive plays to Brown and Lance Moore before a 53 yard field goal attempt (2nd and 10 at the Jets’ 35) from Shaun Suisham was good. 17˗3.

They would get the football back to begin the second half, and put together what appeared to be a productive drive, but after gaining four first downs and moving the football to the New York 40, Roethlisberger was picked off by Jarrett on a pass intended for Markus Wheaton.

After the two teams traded three and outs, the Jets would gain three first downs on a drive that lasted 10 plays and spanned 48 yards for over four minutes. It ended when after the drive stalled at the Steelers’ 11, Folk had to convert on a 30 yard field goal for a 20˗3 score.

The Steelers’ second play of their following series would feature a 1st and 15 from the Steelers’ 15 that resulted in a Roethlisberger pass to Martavis Bryant to the Jets’ 40 for 45 yards. They gained two more first downs and maintained possession as the fourth quarter began, but a 23 yard attempt for a field goal from Suisham was no good.

A three and out from New York was followed by a Steeler drive that spanned 46 yards and 13 plays. In spite of forcing first and goal from the one and being aided by a Quinton Coples roughing the passer penalty, LeGarrette Blount lost eight yards on the following play. That plus an incompletion from Roethlisberger on a pass intended for Brown meant a 27 yard field goal from Suisham, that was good.

Darius Heyward˗Bey then recovered the onside kick that followed but it was made null and void by an offensive offside.

The Steelers then only converted one first down of their ensuing possession which was followed by three and outs for both teams.

The first and only play of an ensuing Pittsburgh drive was a Roethlisberger pass to Bryant for 80 yards on 1st and 10 from their 20 yard line. This made the game 20˗13, but an onside kick attempt was recovered by Eric Decker to seal a Gang Green victory.

• Vick: 10/18, 132 yards, 2 TDs
• Ivory: 14 carries, 51 yards
• Graham: one reception, 67 yards, 1 TD

• Roethlisberger: 30/43, 343 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
• Bell: 11 carries, 36 yards
• Bryant: 4 receptions, 143 yards, 1 TD

Week 11: PIT at TEN (Monday Night), NYJ bye

Four Times the Beast

Nov 9, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

As for that other New York team…

Coming off of a bye week, the Giants defense saw too much of Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts’ offense last week as they were defeated by Indy with a final of 40˗24.

If there was a book entitled “How not to Win Your Division,” step one would be to not fall to 3˗5 as the season reached its midway point with teams such as Dallas and Philadelphia in your division and both having aspirations of reaching the postseason.

That book should be available in all New York area bookstores (or online) by now, with a discount for Giants fans.
As for the Seahawks, their book should be entitled “How to Blow a Chance at a Dynasty.” After Percy Harvin went to the Jets, there were concerns that perhaps Marshawn Lynch was going Beast Mode on his own team. Those locker room issues seemed to have translated into midseason struggles for Seattle, including a loss at home to Dallas earlier in the season. Their last two games ended with them winning over Carolina 13˗9 and over Oakland 30˗24.

If Lynch was causing problems in the locker room of Seattle, on Sunday, the only team have gave issues were the New York Football Giants.

This one began with a Giants three and out before Seattle assumed possession. First, Russell Wilson threw to Lynch for 23 yards, then to Cooper Helfet for 32. Four plays later after first and goal from the one, Lynch hit paydirt from that one yard out for an early Seahawks 7˗0 lead.

The Giants would gain only one first down on their following drive before punting back to the Seahawks. One play into that series, Wilson was intercepted by Zack Bowman who returned the football to the Seahawks 24 yard line.

Four plays into the Giants next series, New York scored when Eli Manning threw for six yards to Preston Parker to tie the game at seven. Seattle only got one first down on their following possession before the Giants took over again as the first quarter ended and the second began. The last play of the first quarter was a 40 yard gain from Manning to Odell Beckham, Jr to the Seattle 36. Then, two plays later, Manning found Beckham again, this time for 26 yards to the 3 yard line.

Andre Williams then put seven more points on the board with his three yard touchdown carry for a 14˗7 lead.

The third play of the following Seattle drive would see Robert Turbin carry the football five yards for what would’ve been a first down before fumbling. Jameel McClain caused the fumble and Antrel Rolle recovered.

No points came off that turnover as the Giants went three and out.

The Seahawks’ next possession started on the right cleats when a Wilson QB keeper went 26 yards. It ended so as well when the 15 play, 85 yard drive lasting over eight minutes culminated in Lynch’s second TD of the game for a tie game.

New York responded with an 11 play, 57 yard drive in which they got four first downs and advanced the football to the Seahawks’ 23 yard line. Josh Brown’s field goal from 41 yards out capped off the drive to give New York the lead at 17˗14 going into the half.

Lynch would carry the football for 22 yards on the second play of the Seahawks’ first possession of the second half on second and one from the 29. Three plays later, Quinton Demps picked off a Wilson pass that was intended for Doug Baldwin. The pick occurred at the Giants’ 10 yard line.

A 3rd and 4 from the Giants’ 16 on the ensuing drive would see Manning pass to Preston Parker for six yards. After that first down gain, New York would only get one more first down before punting again.

The Seahawks would put themselves in great scoring position in their next drive when a 3rd and 7 from their own 34 resulted in a Wilson pass to Jermaine Kearse for 60 yards. After first and goal from the six, Seattle’s efforts to score six were for naught as Steven Hauschka was brought onto the field for a 28 yard field goal try. The kick was good to tie the score at 17.

One of two first downs New York picked up on the following drive was a 20 yard pass to Parker, but a pass from Manning intended for Beckham on 1st and 10 from the Seahawks’ 39 was picked off by Earl Thomas.

Seven plays, 58 yards, and nearly three minutes later as the fourth quarter commenced, Seattle converted the Giants’ miscue into points when BeastMode was activated again from three yards out. The third Lynch TD made the score 24˗17.

After a Giants 3 and out, Seattle had another opportunity to tack on more points…and did so when a seven play, 53 yard drive that lasted for three and a half minutes culminated in Lynch’s fourth TD of the game (from sixteen yards out). 31˗17. The previous play was a Lynch fumble that was forced by Jason Pierre˗Paul and recovered by Seattle.

New York got the ball back and only advanced 26 yards with two first down pickups. This included them going for it on 4th down and it resulting in an incomplete pass intended for Reuben Randle.

The turnover on downs gave the Seahawks possession at the Giants’ 46. After Christine Michael rushed for 45 yards and was pushed out of bounds at the one yard line, Wilson’s one yard QB keeper completed the drive and put seven more on the board for a 38˗17 lead.

The Giants did get two first downs on their next drive, but a 1st and 10 play from their 39 yard line resulted in a Manning sack and fumble that was recovered by Jordan Hill of Seattle.

After gaining on one first down, and eventually taking a kneel down, this one was as good as over.

• Wilson: 10/17, 172 yards, 2 INTs
• Lynch: 21 carries, 140 yards, 4 TDs
• Kearse: 3 receptions, 70 yards

• Manning: 29/44, 283 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
• Williams: 13 carries, 33 yards, 1 TD
• Beckham: 7 receptions, 108 yards

Week 11: SEA at KC, SF at NYG

Six for Twelve

Nov 9, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) looks to pass in the third quarter during the game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

It’s self˗explanatory to us Realists to explain how heated the rivalry is between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers given their divisions, proximities, and histories.

So, let’s just cut to the chase. Both teams were on bye weeks last week, but the week prior to that, both suffered blowout losses on the road. Green Bay was defeated by New Orleans on Sunday Night Football after the Packers got out to a fast start. But, a huge performance from the Saints’ Mark Ingram equaled defeat for the Pack in the Big Easy.

As for the Chicago Bears, their defense has not exactly been Monster of the Midway. They ran into the buzzsaw known as the New England Patriots. A Patriots team that based on the last few weeks of play, may very well be once again the best team in football, not just the AFC.

One wonders if Aaron Rodgers once again gave interviews on Wisconsin sports radio stations where he asked the sporting faithful of the Badger State that bleeds green and gold to “relax.”

When Rodgers has games like he did this past Sunday Night, relaxing should be second nature for Packer backers.

Chicago began this one with possession of the football and managed to gain a pair of first downs before the opening drive stalled at their 34 yard line.

The Packers began their first series on their 29 yard line, and advanced to the Bears’ side of the field when Rodgers connected to Randall Cobb (Bears fans know that one very well) for 21 yards. Eight plays later, Brandon Bostick was on the receiving end of Rodgers’ first touchdown pass of the game for a 7˗0 Packers lead.

The second play of the ensuing series for the Bears was a Cutler interception on 2nd and 10 at the 20 yard line as Micah Hyde picked off Chicago’s quarterback. Four plays into that Green Bay series on 3rd and one from the 4, Rodgers found Andrew Quarless for four yards and a TD. 14˗0.

After gaining one first down on their following drive, one that was hampered by flags for delay of game and unnecessary roughness, the Bears punted back to Green Bay, who maintained possession through the beginning of the 2nd quarter.

As one quarter ended and the other was about to begin, Rodgers then connected with Jordy Nelson for a 73 yard touchdown after 3rd and 11 from the Packers 27. This upped the Packers’ tally to 21˗0.

Another Bears three and out was followed by another Green Bay touchdown as they started this drive form the 46. Four plays in, Rodgers threw 40 yards to Nelson for another touchdown pass. 28˗0. Poor Chicago Bears fans.

The Bears actually did get decent yardage out of their ensuing possession when they went 10 plays for 70 yards on a drive that began at their 26 yard line. An eight yard pass to Alshon Jeffery also saw a Ha˗Ha Clinton Dix flag for unnecessary roughness to advance the football to the Packers’ side of the field. Chicago managed to force first and goal from the six, and went for it on fourth down after being denied. Green Bay managed a goal line stand leaving the Bears empty handed.

The Packers would come away from their next drive anything but empty handed. A 2nd and 8 from the Packers’ 7 resulted in a 29 yard pass to Cobb to the 36 yard line. On 2nd and 18 from the 44, Rodgers converted on a catch and run to Eddie Lacy for 56 yards and a TD for a 35˗0 lead and Rodgers’ fifth TD pass of the half.

Chicago began its next drive at the 23 and were able to gain 37 yards on a Cutler pass to Martellus Bennett. This moved the football from the Bears’ 28 to the Packers’ 35.

The next series is a story of crazy eights. Chris Williams lost eight yards on first and 10 from the 35. Two plays later, Cutler got those eight yards back on a pass to Bennett in which he was forced out of bounds. Then, the Bears lost those eight yards again when Cutler was sacked on 4th and 10.

The next Green Bay drive would see the ball placed at the Bears’ 7 yard line after a deep pass to Jordy Nelson resulted in a pass interference call on Tim Jennings. A first and goal from the 7 saw Rodgers pass to Cobb for 3 yards to the 4, but he fumbled. Lance Briggs caused the turnover and Ryan Mundy recovered the football.

But, three plays into the following Chicago drive after getting two first downs, Cutler was sacked by Julius Peppers. The sack also produced a fumble and a recovery by Green Bay.

That turnover was translated into points when after gaining one first down, a six play, 32 yard drive lasting under a minute saw Rodgers connect with Cobb on an 18 yard touchdown for his sixth of the half. 42˗0.

Chicago only ran one more play that half…a kneel down.

Mercy rule. Stop this fight. Blood on the canvas.

The teams traded three and outs to begin the second half. Chicago’s ended in a fumble on 4th and 5 from their 20 which was recovered by Jarrett Boykin at the eight yard line. This set up first and goal for Green Bay again, but after an incompletion on 3rd and 2 on a pass intended for Cobb, Mason Crosby’s 20 yard field goal was true for a 45˗0 advantage.

Again, what is going on here?

It took three quarters for the Bears to score points, but they finally did when a 45 yard pass from Cutler to Marshall resulted in a touchdown after a 3rd and 7 at the Packers’ 45. 45˗7. Nailbiter.

Then out of nowhere, Rodgers was taken out in favor of Matt Flynn, much to the chagrin of Packer and football fans alike who wanted to see Rodgers get the record for most TDs thrown in a game. Flynn threw incomplete to Jarrett Boykin downfield, but Kyle Fuller was flagged for a 34 yard pass interference penalty to move the chains to the 38 yard line of Chicago.

But the Packers only advanced the football four more yards and had to cap off this drive with a 52 yard Crosby field goal for a 48˗7 lead.

Chicago only gained one first down on its following drive, then the Packers’ ensuing series was a three and out. The Bears had possession as the third quarter ended and the fourth began.

The second play of the fourth quarter was a 22 yard pass from Cutler to Jeffery to midfield. The 10 play, 64 yard drive ended in a Cutler pass intended for Matt Forte (on 3rd and 5 from Green Bay’s 18 yard line) being intercepted by Casey Hayward at the 18. 82 yards and a Pick Six later, the score was 55˗7. Yeah, Realists, he said 55˗7.

The next play was a Crosby kickoff to Chris Williams who returned it 101 yards for a Chicago Bears touchdown. Possibly the only highlight for the Bears on this night. 55˗14.

Each team would gain only one first down on their ensuing possessions. The Bears went for it again on fourth down as they faced fourth and 4 at the Packers’ 40, but with Jimmy Clausen at quarterback for the final Bears possession, he was sacked for a loss of nine yards.

The Packers actually advanced the football off the turnover on downs to the Bears’ six yard line, and many at Lambeau Field wanted to see Green Bay drop 60 on their rivals from the Windy City. But, it was not to be as time ran out on this one when it should have a long time ago.

Actually, 55 is not too bad. Also, Cutler is now 1˗10 vs. Green Bay. He’s not paid like it though…

• Rodgers: 18/27, 315 yards, 6 TDs
• Harris: 8 carries, 52 yards
• Nelson: 6 receptions, 152 yards, 2 TDs

• Cutler: 22/37, 272 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
• Forte: 17 carries, 54 yards
• Marshall: 8 receptions, 112 yards, 1 TD

Week 11: MIN at CHI, PHI at GB

Other Games

Nov 9, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; A NFL football with the Armed Services logo during the NFL game between the New York Jets and the Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Steelers 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Browns defeat Bengals 24˗3

Lions defeat Dolphins 20˗16

49ers defeat Saints 27˗24 OT

Ravens defeat Titans 21˗7

Falcons defeat Buccaneers 27˗17

Broncos defeat Raiders 41˗17

Cardinals defeat Rams 31˗17

Panthers vs. Eagles (8:30, Monday Night Football)