The Green Bay Packers continue to assert their dominance over the Chicago Bears, securing an enthralling 20-19 victory, which marked their 11th consecutive win against their archrival. In a tightly contested game held during Week 11, the Packers showcased resilience and strategic prowess, chalking up yet another triumph under the sage leadership of head coach Matt LaFleur. This remarkable streak began in 2019, coinciding with LaFleur's arrival, and has remained unbroken since.
The game unfolded with intensity right until the last whistle. The Bears, led by quarterback Caleb Williams, had engineered a promising drive, setting up for what could have been a game-winning field goal. Williams demonstrated poise and determination, giving his team a fighting chance against their formidable opponents. However, it was the Packers who seized the critical moment, thanks to a dramatic play by Karl Brooks.
A Clutch Defensive Stand
Karl Brooks, the Packers' unsung hero on this occasion, made a decisive impact by blocking a 46-yard field goal attempt from Bears kicker Cairo Santos. Reflecting on his pivotal contribution, Brooks recounted, “To be honest, I didn't see anything. Same formation. I got penetration, just wanted it more. Got a hand up." He further elaborated on the sense of triumph he felt, “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 preparation and expectation for such an outcome were evident in the team's approach. Kenny Clark, a seasoned defensive tackle with three Pro Bowl selections, described how the Packers had identified vulnerabilities in Chicago's field goal protection during their video analysis sessions. "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 shared. This foresight proved instrumental as the Packers executed precisely when it mattered most.
Xavier McKinney echoed the sentiment, reflecting on the emphasis placed on capitalizing on these opportunities during preparations, stating, "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."
Offensive Highlights and Strategic Ingenuity
On the offensive front, the Packers demonstrated their own ingenuity under the guidance of quarterback Jordan Love. Love put his stamp on the game with a strategic quarterback sneak, edging Green Bay into a lead they refused to relinquish. His command and composure on the field were critical to navigating a Chicago defense determined to shift the game’s momentum.
Meanwhile, the Bears saw Santos convert two significant field goals — one from a daunting 53 yards and another from 27 yards out — early on, highlighting his skill and consistency. Yet, the spotlight inevitably shifted to the block orchestrated by Green Bay's special teams.
Rich Bisaccia, the Packers' special teams coordinator, not only played a pivotal role in identifying the Bears' tactical weaknesses but also in motivating his team for this crucial showdown. His commitment and foresight were not lost on Matt LaFleur, who praised his input: “Rich [Bisaccia] said to our team last night, 'I will not understand if we come out of this game without a block, on a field goal or a PAT.'"
A Season of Momentum
With this victory, the Packers pushed their season record to an impressive 7-3, marking their best 10-game start since 2021 — a season where they concluded with a formidable 13-4 record. This ongoing success has bolstered confidence within the team's ranks, as they continue to leverage their strengths in both strategic play and cohesive teamwork.
The Bears-Packer rivalry is steeped in history, and once more, it delivered a game that encapsulated the spirit of fierce competition and dramatic turns. For now, it is Green Bay who retains the upper hand, buoyed by deft strategies, clutch performances, and a united team front determined to keep them on their winning trajectory.