Packers’ triumphant as Rodgers-to-Cobb KO’s Chicago, captures title

fpadmin | 12/30/2013

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Green Bay’s 33-28 victory propels Packers into the NFL’s postseason
By CHRIS HAVEL
It may not be the single-greatest play in Green Bay Packers history but it certainly is in the conversation.
Facing fourth-and-7 at the Chicago 48 with less than a minute to play, Aaron Rodgers punctuated his return with a pass for the ages. Rodgers took the snap, saw a Bears’ safety roll up on Jordy Nelson, sidestepped Julius Peppers and lobbed a perfect pass to a wide-open Randall Cobb.
Cobb cruised into the end zone with what proved to be the game-winning play in the Packers’ 33-28 victory over the Bears Sunday at Soldier Field. The victory enabled the Packers (8-7-1) to capture the NFC North Division title and earned them a rematch with San Francisco in the NFC wild-card playoffs Sunday at Lambeau Field. It is the Packers’ third straight division title and fifth straight playoff appearance.
“This is a special group of guys who’ve been through a lot,” Rodgers told reporters after the game. “It’s been a rollercoaster.”
The ride ended for the Bears (8-8) in painful fashion. Chicago’s defense brought the house with the game on the line, but a tremendous block by fullback John Kuhn and Cobb’s head’s-up play sent the Bears and first-year head coach Marc Trestman packing.
Rodgers was shaky early in his first start after an eight-week absence due to a broken left collarbone. But after he settled down the Packers and Bears went facemask-to-facemask in a gut-wrenching thriller. The Packers converted three fourth-and-go-home plays on the winning drive, including a diving catch by Jordy Nelson that was reviewed by the replay officials before being upheld. Nelson finished with 161 receiving yards, while James Starks (88 yards) and Eddie Lacy (66 yards) tore up a really bad Bears defense.
Chicago’s Jay Cutler kept the Bears’ hopes alive with a strong performance, including a 5-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall to put Chicago up 28-20 on the first play of the fourth quarter. Bears running back Matt Forte rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns and also caught four passes for another 47 yards and a touchdown.
Still it wasn’t enough as the Packers’ defense did enough early to keep it close while Rodgers threw interceptions on his first two drives. Green Bay’s Jarrett Boykin scored on one of the most bizarre plays you’ll see. After Peppers hit Rodgers to force a fumble, the officials didn’t blow the whistle because it was a live football. Boykin attempted to pick up the loose football, then kicked it a few feet before grabbing it and running untouched into the end zone.
The second half was back-and-forth before Rodgers’ last-minute heroics. Cutler tried to muster one final drive but was intercepted by Sam Shields to end the game.
Now the Packers host the 49ers with an opportunity to atone for a dreadful 45-31 loss in the NFC Divisional Playoffs a year ago.
Clearly, Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers and special teams coach Shawn Slocum need their units to play better if Green Bay hopes to advance. Furthermore, one or both may be coaching for their jobs. The Packers have been bounced from the playoffs each of the past two seasons because their defense let them down in a big way. I can’t imagine Packers head coach Mike McCarthy will stand pat if Green Bay endures a similar fate this post-season.
But enough of that talk. There will be plenty of time for that if the Packers get KO’d by the 49ers or by Seattle or Carolina if they advance. Right now, karma is on the Packers’ side after a brutal injury-plagued season. It’s no coincidence that Rodgers and Cobb figured in the game’s deciding play. Green Bay’s offense appears to be as dangerous as ever. Now, if the defense and special teams show up Green Bay could be poised to make a deep playoff run.
Bring on the 49ers and say bye-bye to the Bears.

Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com). Havel also hosts Event USA’ MVP Parties the evening before home games.

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Kudos to Amy for making sure that the tickets to the tailgate party were waiting for me at the reception desk! Your personal phone call and text messages went above and beyond customer satisfaction! I can't wait for the 2024 season, rest assured that my go-to Packer's game supplier will be Event USA for a long time.
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-Jean-Pierre Mallette, Montréal, Canada

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-Kayle

"Good Morning, Nicole - Everything you did turned out great. The seats were great. Access to the air conditioned club lounge was great. Lots of Packers fans in the club lounge and overall at the stadium. The tailgate party at the fancy restaurant in the hotel was fabulous. The servers just kept on bringing out different sliders and desserts. Good thing that I got in a 30-minute run along the river in the morning. So, thank you! You may be speaking with me in November if I can work out getting up to Green Bay for a game. It's been too long since my last time. One of the best aspects of this weekend was interacting with so many people from Wisconsin and learning their personal stories of things Packers. And we even met a couple from St. Petersburg, Florida (my home county) and were able to tell them about the Varsity Club tavern and Packers bar in Clearwater where Mark Murphy's mother is in attendance -- very nice lady whose retirement home is in Clearwater, which borders my little city of Dunedin. Pre-COVID, I always went to the Varsity when the Packers games weren't televised locally -- lots of Wisconsin natives there, too + they serve brats and sauerkraut during Packers games. I'm glad that you are working for Event USA. "

-- Martin Lawyer, Dunedin, Florida

"Dennis - I was blessed to join Amy and some of your customers at the Morton's tailgate as well as after the game. She does an amazing job for you. Every single customer I met praised Event USA for being able to arrange the hotel and tickets and fabulous tailgate party in such a quick time. Having been to some great tour tailgate parties in Jacksonville and Kansas City and old San Francisco, a lot can be said of the long-term benefit of having really great tailgate parties. Morton's was probably one of the best - amazing food, patio sitting on the riverfront, walk to stadium, open bar!!! It was first class fun!!!"

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"I want to thank Event USA and in particular Amy Flores for the Jacksonville trip. We have used you before and always were very pleased with the packages you have set up and your service. My son who lives in Charleston, SC and myself who lives in Minnesota, decided we needed to do a guys trip and decided to go through your company to see the opener in New Orleans. I initially called and talked with Amy about some questions I had and booked our trip. After itinerary and info was emailed to us, it soon became apparent that the trip to New Orleans wouldn’t happen. In steps Amy, wondering if we would be interested in Dallas if the game was moved there and a package was set up. Then finally the move to Jacksonville and continued communication from Amy on our interest. It was getting late at that point and I was wondering if she would be able to pull off setting up a package in Jacksonville. She did it. We went to Jacksonville and had a great time. The accommodations and the tail gate were fabulous. If only the Packer team we were hoping for had made the trip. Thank you Event USA and in particular Amy Flores."

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-Frank Chavez, Sacramento

"I just wanted to say that I had such a great time. The whole weekend was so much fun. I enjoyed the Player Autograph Party and the tailgate party was just the best. After coming from a country that loves soccer, it was nice to mix with people who have the same interests as me. Thank you once again, Green Bay is one very special place."

-Beverley Moore, Lancaster

"My accommodations at the Best Western Midway were excellent. I was picked up at the airport and returned promptly. No problems at all. Your representative at the hotel on game day was very pleasant and helpful. The tailgate party was super, great food, great drinks and lots of fun. Obviously, Lambeau Field and the game itself was great. I will continue to use Event USA in the future, and I will definitely tell anyone who I come across to give you a call. One last thing, the hospitality I experienced in Green Bay was incredible. I have traveled to many places, and I don’t think there are more friendly people than the people of Green Bay. Thank you again and see you next year!"

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"Thanks so much for the best weekend ever! You not only got us in all the Magazines, TV, WWW pages and even the big screen at Lambeau Field, but Disney World on the side? Nice job – You and your family are top notch – we were on the best tour for the Super Bowl! Seeing the Green Bay Packers win back the Lombardi Trophy was a life long dream of this Packer fan, and you all were so dedicated to the job of taking care of us that, like the Packers, we were a winning team! Keep me on your list."

-William D Lorge, Representative to the Wisconsin State Assembly