Bears goes from worst to first with win over the Packers

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The Bears 24-17 win over the Packers seems to signify a changing of the guard in the NFC North.  . The win clinched the division title for the Bears. The Bears just flat out have a better roster than the Packers.  In the past Aaron Rodgers has been able to make up whatever talent deficit the Packers may have had.  That wasn’t the case Sunday.

Confidence vs. Paranoia

I actually picked the Bears to beat the Pack, which is unusual for me.  Over the years I’ve become somewhat paranoid when it came to the Bears chances against the Pack.  When the Bears fake punt attempt blew up on them and Aaron Rodgers and the Packers took the ball down the field to tie the score, my paranoia was full blown. 

When Tarik Cohen fumbled a handoff after receiving a direct snap, I thought Bears head coach, Matt Nagy, was suffering a case of terminal cuteness.  Then something strange happened, the Bears defense held the Packers to a three and out.   Mitch Trubisky was solid down the stretch.  Eddie Jackson intercepted an Aaron Rodgers pass in the Bears end zone.  Cody Parkey kicked a field goal that put the Bears up 24-14.  Those things represent growth over the course of the season.

Thank you, Jon Gruden

Khalil Mack was a huge force for the Bears, picking up 2.5 sacks.  Leonard Floyd was also a factor, recording an additional two sacks.  The addition of Mack definitely accelerated the improvement of the Bears.  Thank you, Jon Gruden. It looks like Ryan Pace’s is job is safe for a while.  

Is Tom Brady finally showing his age?

In other NFL news, the Steelers held on to defeat the Patriots 17-10.  Tom Brady looked like he was 40 years old as the game wound down.  Was it a fluke or a trend?  We’ll see going forward.

That NFC East division is strange

It looked like the Cowboys had a clear path to the NFC East title, until Sunday that is.  The Indianapolis Colts shut out the Cowboys 23-0 in a game that represented a huge step backwards Dallas.  The Cowboys loss, coupled with the Eagles huge upset win over the Rams has put the NFC East title up in the air.  Nate Foles quarterbacked the Eagles to the win as Carson Wentz sat it out.  The win gives the Eagles at least an outside chance at the playoffs.

In a game devoid of NFL caliber QBs, the Redskins even their record at 7-7 with a 16-13 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Josh Johnson, who hadn’t started a game in the NFL in seven years, directed the Redskins to the win.  Cody Kessler passed for 57 yards for the Jaguars. Wow!  That’s underwhelming.

And one more surprise...

I thought the Seahawks were on their way to the playoffs but stubbed their toe in San Francisco.  The 49ers prevailed in overtime, 26-23.  The Seahawks were plagued by penalties, picking up 14 penalties, accounting for 148 yards.  You take anything for granted in the NFL nowadays.