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The Packers moved the ball briskly on the game’s opening drive, easily getting inside the Bears’ 10. Green Bay’s problems in the red zone reared their head and the drive stalled, ending with a sacked by Shea McClellin on 3rd down. Aaron Rodgers winced upon having his left shoulder driven into the ground and he soon exited for the locker room, rendering red zone offense struggles the least of Packers fan worries.
From there, the great battle of Josh McCown/Seneca Wallace commenced, with McCown drawing first blood with an incredible Brandon Marshall touchdown catch on a third down, made even though Marshall was interfered with by Tramon Williams on the play.
On the first drive with Wallace, the Packers moved swiftly, though mostly by virtue of Eddie Lacy steamrolling defenders. The Packers got as far as the Bears’ 35 when a Wallace pass was tipped by a leaping Julius Peppers and intercepted.
The Bears did nothing with the possession the Adam Podlesh’s punt was blocked, putting the Packers right back around the point the interception was thrown. It took one James Starks run it put it in the end zone. Here’s the hole he had to run through:
It’s a wonder he found space.
Chicago put together a second long TD drive, keyed by a Matt Forte long gain on a screen and a big Marty B reception that nearly got in the end zone. Two plays later, Forte ran it in to put Chicago up 14-10.
Before half, the Bears were pinned at their own 1 to start a drive. McCown was saved from a grounding call in the end zone because he was contacted at the point of release. Chicago ended up with a field goal in the closing seconds of the half to give them a touchdown lead at the break.