The Green Bay Packers continued their dominance over the Chicago Bears with a thrilling 20-19 victory that highlighted their 11th consecutive triumph over their arch-rivals. This hard-fought win came during Week 11 of the season, a testament to the Packers' sustained excellence under head coach Matt LaFleur, who initiated this streak of successes against the Bears back in 2019 when he first took the helm.
One of the standout moments of the game occurred thanks to Packers' defensive tackle Karl Brooks, who executed a crucial block on a 46-yard field goal attempt from Bears kicker Cairo Santos. Brooks described the pivotal play, saying, “To be honest, I didn't see anything. Same formation. I got penetration, just wanted it more. Got a hand up.” His commitment and athleticism were evident as he shared his thought process: “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 anticipation for such a game-changing moment was no secret among the Packers’ ranks. Kenny Clark, another defensive staple for the team with three Pro Bowl selections to his name, revealed the focus leading up to the game: "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.” This strategic insight into the Bears’ vulnerabilities in field goal protection was also echoed by Xavier McKinney, who appreciated the planned execution: "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." Such preparation undoubtedly paid dividends during the clash.
Indeed, Packers' special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia had conveyed his expectations the night before the game. Matt LaFleur recalled his words: “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.’” This foresight and emphasis on special teams highlight the meticulous planning pivotal to the Packers' success.
Quarterback Caleb Williams led the Chicago Bears in their efforts to break this streak. Despite Santos successfully converting field goals from 53 yards and 27 yards, it was once again insufficient to halt the Packers' winning momentum. The Packers improved their season record to 7-3, solidifying their placement as a team to watch moving forward in the season.
The narrative of the Packers vs. Bears rivalry is enriched by these contests, with stories of tactical pushes and strategic plays adding to the lore. Matt LaFleur's tenure as head coach continues to be marked by triumphs over the Bears, and the team’s defense, highlighted by standout performances from the likes of Karl Brooks, remains a formidable force. As each game unfolds, the Green Bay Packers demonstrate why they have enjoyed such a prolonged period of success against their storied rivals, continually identifying and exploiting opportunities that lead to their sustained supremacy in this classic football rivalry.