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You don't prefer it, I don't like it. Hell, I loathe it. But the simple fact of the matter is, the Packers beat themselves Monday night.

The Packers seemed great on Monday night.The Bears looked terrible on both sides of the ball.

Aaron Rodgers had over 316 yards. And despite the Packers' horrendous run game, they gained over 379 entire yards.

Rodgers wasn't even sacked the complete game, despite the add-on of Julius Peppers.

Their defense held the Mike Martz-revolutionized Cutler to 221 passing yards, three sacks, and a completion percentage of 59.

The Packers did let up a few rushing yards, but most of them were from Cutler.

So how in the world could the Packers have sacrificed this game?

 

The Pass Rush

The Packers did a wonderful job rushing the passer, no question. Cutler was sacked three times Monday night.

But there were quite a few plays where, if even half a second was left, Cutler would have simply been sacked six times and would have built up much less than 150 yards or so.

Such as when Cutler passed to Knox on the 44-yard line with less than two minutes before the half, which lead to a Greg Olsen Touchdown.

 

Mike McCarthy

McCarthy has pissed off Packer fans a lot in the past, but at least we can't say he actually cost us a game. Until possibly now.

First, he opted to use James Jones, in which I thought was a little excessive. I thought Jennings should have been in his spot far more often than that, long before Jones even fumbled the ball.

Second, he questioned (don't you just love it when Mike throws the red cloth?) the fumble that James Jones committed with only two minutes left in the game.

Yes, it was tempting to believe that that it had shifted out of bounds, but the instant replay clearly showed it had not. While it was pointless to not challenge before the two-minute warning, McCarthy still cost us a precious time-out.

The third one, and I honestly have been trying to see the logic regarding this, is why in the world didn't he just let the Bears score the touchdown in the closing two minutes.

Yes, scoring seven or maybe eight points in the final two minutes on the road is problematic. But do you honestly think it would be far better to let the clock run out with one of the best special team units in the NFL in close field-goal range?

 

The Penalties

Anyone with half a brain would tell you that the Green Bay Packers lost because of one simple reason. They simply played too rough, and the refs got to make plenty of money.

And these weren't just yard-costing penalty charges—they were the kind that happened at the worst time.

Mark Tauscher was called for holding when Finley made a touchdown. Crosby then tried a field goal, but was obstructed by Peppers. That would have probably won them the game.

Chillar clearly got an interception on Cutler at 6:40 in the fourth quarter, but Zombo head-butted Cutler.

Nick Collins kept his hand on Matt Forte and brought him down, giving Chicago another important 15 yards, which eventually lead to another crucial field goal.

With only a 1:45 to play, Matthews barely missed Cutler which landed in the hands of Nick Collins. Burnett, regretably, was called for pass interference. Which paved the way for Chicago's final field goal, which won the game.

Hell, Aaron Rodgers even joined in on the fun by throwing the ball away when he was in the pocket.

Cutler's five interceptions were reduced to one simply because the Packers just had to get too rough.

If that's not enough, you should know that this has been the most penalties the Packers have committed in over 50 years.

 

Bottom line

I said all along that the Packers could lose this game, but not like this. I would have thought the Bears played their hearts out. Instead, they just observed the Packers self-destruct.

The Packers very seriously need to learn how to manage all their young, talented players and all their disorderly hormones. If they can do that, and get a decent running back (Jackson only had 12 yards), the Packers will definitely win, even in situations like this, from now on.

Look, folks, it's hard to see light in such a dark hour, but it's really not time to hit the panic button quite yet.

The Bears did not play well tonight at all. They let Rodgers have the ball all day long, and they only scored 20 points. And most of that was because the Packers let up so many penalties.

I highly doubt they can beat both the Panthers and Giants while on the road.

The Packers will face the Lions next week, and then on the road against Washington. Giving us a serious edge in reclaiming first place in the North within only a few weeks.

And with all due respect to you Mr. Ted Thompson, get your head out of your ass, and get an actual running back!

 

The author is an avid Cheesehead and sells Green Bay Packers Football Tickets and offers Green Bay Packers Fan Tours