"Chips Report" from Packers Week 10 Win vs. Bears

Packers linebacker Clay Matthews was one of the stars in the Sunday evening 55-14 victory over the Chicago Bears.

Our weekly "Chips Report" will always include two blue chips (outstanding, exceptional play), two red chips (good, although maybe not great) and two cow chips (dud performances). From the Green Bay Packers' 55-14 win over the Chicago Bears...

 

Blue Chips

  • Quarterback Aaron Rodgers—Just about the only thing Rodgers failed to do was throw an NFL record seventh touchdown pass when receiving an opportunity on the first drive of the second half of the game. He'd have to settle for tying the league record with the most touchdown passes in the first half by tossing six and barely encountering any resistance from a Bears defense that all but appeared to give up. Rodgers didn't seem to suffer any ill effects from the hamstring pull suffered before the bye week, looking fine when flushed from the pocket as evidenced on his touchdown pass to Andrew Quarless in the first quarter. Before exiting, Rodgers completed 18 of 27 passes for 315 yards, didn't throw an interception and didn't take a single sack. 
  • Wide receiver Jordy Nelson—Nelson was Rodgers' favorite target on Sunday evening, catching six passes for 152 yards. Both of his touchdown passes were for at least 40 yards. On the first, he sprinted down the field for a 73-yard score when the safety was late arriving. On the second, Nelson displayed terrific body control by staying in bounds on a 40-yard pass along the right sideline of the end zone. His hustling effort to throw a block on Eddie Lacy's screen pass for a touchdown didn't go unnoticed either.

 

Red Chips

  • Linebacker Clay Matthews—Based on early returns, the Packers' decision to make some changes on the defensive side of the football during the bye week appear to be paying off. Sure, Matthews probably has to learn some of the finer points of playing inside linebacker, but he's able to make up for a lot of mistakes through sheer hustle and effort. It wasn't a full-time transition for Matthews, however, and he was still effective bringing pressure from off the edge when asked to play outside. The versatile linebacker made a team-leading 11 tackles, two for a loss and one sack. 
  • Linebacker Julius Peppers—Peppers was a thorn in the side of former teammate Jay Cutler, particularly on the defender's strip-sack of the quarterback late in the second quarter. On the play, Peppers recovered his own forced fumble to set up the Packers' sixth touchdown, a touchdown pass from Rodgers to Randall Cobb. The Packers linebacker also batted down two of Cutler's passes and made four total tackles.

 

Cow Chips

  • Quarterback Matt Flynn—It's perhaps not fair being compared to one of the best players in the NFL, but the dropoff from Rodgers to Flynn is quite apparent. The velocity on Flynn's throws doesn't compare to Rodgers, taking a split second later to reach their intended target and, at the same time, making them easier to defend. Taking over for a majority of the second half, Flynn completed just one of five passes for four yards, good for a 39.6 quarterback rating.
  • Cornerback Tramon Williams—On a day the Packers won 55-14, it wasn't an embarrassment for Williams, but he didn't play up to the standards of his teammates either. On Martellus Bennett's long reception of 37 yards, Williams got lost coverage and lost balance trying to change directions, part of the reason Bennett was able to get up field so quickly. Williams was also beat up the right sideline on one of Brandon Marshall's team-leading eight receptions and made just one tackle on the evening.

 

Brian Carriveau is the author of the book "It's Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America," and editor at Cheesehead TV and its "Pro Football Draft Preview." To contact Brian, email [email protected].

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Comments (36)

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lucky953's picture

November 09, 2014 at 11:28 pm

Not in the wheelhouse of your format, but impressive job by the coaching staff coming off a big loss going into the bye week. They had the team ready to play and made some good adjustments-obviously playing CM3 inside. I also thought they had more TE involvement tonight--Quarless, Bostick, and Rodgers all caught passes including 2 TDs. Hey, how about DuJuan Harris running the ball? He found the holes fast.

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aj's picture

November 09, 2014 at 11:28 pm

I feel shields was more deserving of the cow chip than tramon was. His tackling was awful today and he seemed to be a step slow in coverage. Of course, this is nitpicking after a game as well played as this one was, but if you have to pick one between the two for the cow chip, shields should get it. Also, Hyde played an exceptional game, and I'd switch Matthews and Jordy in their respective chips. Overall, a dominating victory that will allow this fan to sleep peacefully tonight.

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TommyG's picture

November 10, 2014 at 06:34 am

I agree with you, AJ. Shields looked slow, out of position, and just plain off from what we are accustomed to seeing. Cow chip to Shields, not Tramon.

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4thand1's picture

November 10, 2014 at 08:06 pm

The pick 6 he dropped was real bad. He had both hands on the ball and nothing but green grass in front of him.

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denniseckersley's picture

November 09, 2014 at 11:43 pm

Bennett's catch only went for 37? It felt like 73

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HankScorpio's picture

November 09, 2014 at 11:43 pm

I think Matthews greatest attribute is simply being a relentless, athletic football player. Whatever he's asked to do, he can do. I love that their OLB group has progressed enough that he can be moved inside without killing their pass rush. Moving him around increases his ability to impact the game. He did so from both inside and outside today.

I realize the Bears are phoning things in right now. But Matthews stepping up his impact like he did tonight is a significant development. If he can maintain that type of impact, this Packer team will be a very tough out come January.

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NickPerry's picture

November 10, 2014 at 08:01 am

Hank, You and I both spoke about trying Matthews in the middle during the offseason, especially after we picked up Peppers. That defense was a entirely different defense last night. Sure it was the Bears bur it gave the Packers something they haven't had in the middle since Bishop or Barnett, SPEED. Matthews played great, sideline to sideline and he could still blitz from time to time. The whole team played a hell of a game. GO PACK GO!

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pooch's picture

November 10, 2014 at 10:47 am

Matthews in the middle demoralizing for bears

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KenEllis's picture

November 09, 2014 at 11:46 pm

Great to see an ILBer play for the Pack this week.

Props to the coaching staff for finally doing something about that void.

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4thand1's picture

November 10, 2014 at 08:08 pm

Pretty good for a washed up over rated has been, like skippy (cowpie) calls him.

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Oppy's picture

November 09, 2014 at 11:47 pm

I'm actually shocked Flynn is still getting the #2 reps at this point.

I would have sat Flynn and started dressing Tolzien by this point in the season based on what we've seen from Flynn thus far this year.

Where his lack of elite arm strength used to be what separated Flynn from elite starting QBs early in his career, his arm strength has further deteriorated to the point where it now separates him from serviceable back up QBs in the league.

Thanks Matt, for your service. It is now time for you to earn your paycheck by coaching up Tolzien.

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Nerd's picture

November 10, 2014 at 10:24 am

I attribute the 4th quarter lull to Cobb and Boykin not catching the ball when Flynn hit them in the hands.

Dudes need to keep their heads in the game.

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Mojo's picture

November 10, 2014 at 12:01 am

What a difference CM3 makes from the inside. He never gives up on a play. He tracked down, I believe it was Forte, from the other side of the field, when there was no other Packer in the screen. The play went for ten, but could have been much worse. Goes side-line to side-line as well as any LB we've had in a long time.

Hard to bitch with such as a decisive win, but I'll play the role of the curmudgeon coach. We got sloppy on the kick-return. Didn't see much effort there. The holes were way to large.

Also, the Packers D played well overall, but they have to learn to make more tackles in open space. Tired of seeing our secondary guys in position but fail to wrap-up. Too many times an opposing player bounces off the tackle a gets garbage yards. It's going to cost them in the games where ARod isn't playing lights out.

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Nerd's picture

November 10, 2014 at 10:26 am

Ii thought Hayward might have been out of breath from the 82 yard pick six on the previous play. LOL

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4thand1's picture

November 10, 2014 at 08:14 pm

Mashall is a big guy and doesn't go down easy. Hell, all the barleys receivers are huge.

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DraftHobbyist's picture

November 10, 2014 at 12:12 am

The chips really seemed to fall on the side of the skill positions. Rodgers doesn't get sacked at all and no OL gets a chip? I also thought either Shields or ST's would get a Cow Chip. Still, I can't complain too much on who you gave chips to.

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TommyG's picture

November 10, 2014 at 06:39 am

There were lots of positions and players that deserve recognition, positive or negative. The OL did keep AR clean all night, but did struggle to open up running lanes. I agree with you on Shields. ST is a bit hard to judge as they were pretty outstanding until the big KR TD. The bears fielded something like 10 kicks. I suppose one of them had to be a positive result.

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Amanofthenorth's picture

November 10, 2014 at 07:12 am

Tressman talked about wanting to lead the league in kickoff returns. They are a well piled machine right now.

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HankScorpio's picture

November 10, 2014 at 07:20 am

Sitton and Lang deserve a shout out for gutting through injury until the Packers pulled the plug out of mercy...with over 10 minutes left in the 3rd quarter (Just loved typing THAT!!)

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Evan's picture

November 10, 2014 at 08:13 am

Blue chip: the blocking on Lacy's screen-pass TD. You could see that was going to go the distance after 10 yards. He had a convoy set up. 3 OL and like 3 WRs.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

November 10, 2014 at 10:14 am

Lang blocked two different guys downfield with a bum ankle on that play.

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HankScorpio's picture

November 10, 2014 at 10:34 am

In addition to the wall of OL that got Lacy going, Cobb had a nice downfield block on some DBs and Nelson came flying in late to make the TD a sure thing.

Just tremendous blocking on that screen pass by the entire team.

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Evan's picture

November 10, 2014 at 10:55 am

Totally. When Lacy cut it back left, he had Cobb, Nelson and another WR I believe all 30+ yards downfield leading the way.

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Tundraboy's picture

November 10, 2014 at 12:39 pm

Highlight for me . Total team effort

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Big Moe's picture

November 10, 2014 at 10:23 am

Wow, just Wow. Blue chips for the Pack! minus Flynn dude is done, those of you who think he's gonna get a win for this team based off what? he couldn't move the ball on a team that quit. how is he gonna do anything when a real team gets after him? get a clipboard Matt. It's time for some Tolzien.

FYI for those that aren't near S. Wis tune in to 670 the score out of Chicago if you are amused by opposing fan rants, just priceless.

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Nerd's picture

November 10, 2014 at 10:29 am

Flynn would have looked better if Cobb and Boykin weren't dropping his passes.

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HankScorpio's picture

November 10, 2014 at 10:39 am

I put zero stock in anything I saw in the 2nd half. The Packers dialed back the playbook and a preseason game broke out with about 10 minutes left in the 3rd.

The last meaningful action Flynn and Tolzien got was last season. Flynn was clearly the better guy then. As the coaching staff still has him as the backup ahead of Tolzien, I'm willing to go with their judgment.

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4thand1's picture

November 10, 2014 at 08:18 pm

Agree totally Hank. I said the same thing last night. This looks like pre-season with all 2nd string guys playing.

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Tundraboy's picture

November 10, 2014 at 12:35 pm

Only negative I saw was House. Do not think he cares too much. Not starter material

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Oppy's picture

November 10, 2014 at 12:52 pm

I'm a bit surprised by your comment. Can you elaborate a little bit?

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Nerd's picture

November 10, 2014 at 01:06 pm

Got burned on one play, had a penalty called on the next one, iirc.

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Tundraboy's picture

November 10, 2014 at 07:55 pm

Last two games have shown me he is not a must sign and at best maybe only a backup. Does not play the ball well enough or fight for it enough from what I see.

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4thand1's picture

November 10, 2014 at 08:19 pm

He also dropped a sure int.

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Oppy's picture

November 11, 2014 at 02:09 am

Where he was plagued by inconsistency early in his career, I think he's been having a solid season in 2014.

I think if the Packers fail to resign House, he will have a starting corner position in the league somewhere else. I'll agree I don't think he falls into "must sign" territory, but that's only because we have Shields and Hayward is finally starting to play like he did his rookie season again. That said, I think if the Packers can find a way to retain him, he would be good for the roster.

There's a reason they say DB's in the NFL must have short memories- they are going to get burned from time to time.

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DraftHobbyist's picture

November 12, 2014 at 05:50 pm

House is a depth CB to cover depth WR's. I think we re-sign him for cheap and let Williams walk. You need a few Davon Houses on the team that can contribute and not take up a lot of cap space. Overall, I think he has disappointed but he's still growing so who knows how he will turn out.

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TKWorldWide's picture

November 10, 2014 at 08:33 pm

Gotta hand it to Slocum for teaching Boykin how to block a punt (or more technically, cause a fumble) with his FOOT.
Awesome.

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