Bears Vs. Packers Final: Green Bay Eliminates Chicago From Playoffs 35-21

The Chicago Bears, who looked like a playoff team before Jay Cutler got injured, saw their playoff hopes end Sunday night in Green Bay as the Packers finished off the Bears 35-21. Aaron Rodgers threw for 283 yards and five touchdowns as the packers clinched home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.

Chicago's loss, meanwhile, clinches at least a wild card berth for the Atlanta Falcons, and leaves only one spot in the NFC playoffs to be decided between the Giants and Cowboys next Sunday night. The Bears gave up a two yard touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson on the first play of the quarter to all but seal the game.

Chicago did manage a face-saving score midway through the quarter. Kellen Davis caught a one yard touchdown pass from Josh McNown with 7:59 left in the game. McNown added two more points on a two-point conversion run, but his interception thrown late in the quarter proved to be a backbreaker. The Bears offense generated over 440 yards, but two interceptions by McCown led to Green Bay touchdowns.

McCown led a second scoring drive in the final five minutes, with Robbie Gould hitting a 30-yard field goal with 1:11 left for the final margin.

Bears Vs. Packers Score Update: Packers Pull Ahead 28-10

An early third quarter touchdown briefly got the Chicago Bears back into their Christmas night game with the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, but the Packers answered with two more touchdown to take a commanding 28-10 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Bears took the opening kickoff of the second half 70 yards in six plays to pull withing 14-10. Khalil Bell, who has over 100 yards rushing so far, was hit at the one yard line and fumbles into the end zone, where offensive lineman Edwin Williams picked it up for his first career touchdown.

It didn't take long for the Packers to get the seven points back, however. Aaron Rodgers hit Jordy Nelson for a 55 yard touchdown on the next drive to move in front 21-10. After a quick stop, the Packers moved the ball 75 yards in 12 plays before James Jones caught his second touchdown pass of the night and Rosgers' fourth of the game.

Rodgers has already thrown for 256 yards and four touchdowns. Charlie Peprah got the Packers back in scoring range again as the quarter closed with an interception of Luke McCown. Rodgers then hit Nelson for a pass to the Chicago eight yard line, and a Ryan Grant run moved it to the four on the quarter's final play.

Bears Vs. Packers Score Update: Green Bay In Control 14-3 At Half

If you take away the first and last drives of the first half the Chicago Bears defense has been rock solid. Unfortunately, the Green Bay Packers used the first drive and the last drive of the half to put points on the board. Green Bay holds a 14-3 lead at halftime at Lambeau Field, and the Bears have had plenty of mistakes that have prevented them from scoring points.

After the Bears missed a first quarter field goal Josh McCown was intercepted by Clay Matthews at the Green Bay 24 yard line. The bears forced a three and out, then responded with a lengthy drive that was capped by a 35-yard Robbie Gould field goal. That kick came with 1:56 left in the half, but it left plenty of time for the Packers offense.

It took Aaron Rodgers only 1:42 to move 65 yards in seven plays before Rodgers hit James Jones for a short touchdown pass to put Green Bay ahead 14-3.

Bears Vs. Packers Score Update: Missed Field Goal Keeps Green Bay In Front 7-0

The Chicago Bears need a win Sunday night to keep their very faint playoff hopes alive, and so far they are not getting it done. Their bitter rival, the Green bay Packers, have opened up a 7-0 lead after one quarter and Chicago has already missed a chance at putting three points on the board.

Green Bay received the opening kickoff and wasted very little time in opening a 7-0 lead. The Packers went 80 yards in nine plays before Jermichael scored the game's first touchdown on a two yard pass from Aaron Rodgers.

The Bears had a chance to put points on the board on their first possession, but a promising drive ended with a missed field goal. The Bears needed 11 plays to move 60 yards, but Robbie Gould missed a 49-yard field goal wide right.

Kahlil Bell has been promising for the Bears with 59 yards rushing so far on 11 carries.

Bears Vs. Packers: Marion Barber Inactive; Devin Hester Will Play

The Chicago Bears released their inactives list ahead of Sunday night's game against the Green Bay Packers, and the good news for Bears fans is that wide receiver Devin Hester is not on it. Hester did not participate in practice on Wednesday or Thursday and had been listed as questionable, but he is dressed and will play against Green Bay.

Not surprisingly, quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte are inactive tonight, as is running back Marion Barber, who has a calf injury that kept him out of practice Wednesday and Thursday.

Nathan Enderle, Levi Horn, Andre Smith and Anthony Adams also are inactive for Sunday night's game.

Caleb Hanie will serve as the backup quarterback to Josh McCown.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this week's game, visit Bears Blog Windy City Gridiron and Packers blog Acme Packing Company. For more from around the NFL, head over to SB Nation's NFL news hub.

Bears Vs. Packers: Greg Jennings Inactive For Green Bay

With kickoff less than 90 minutes away, the Green Bay Packers have released the list of players who are inactive for Sunday night's game against the Bears.

Quarterback Graham Harrell, cornerback Davon House, linebacker Frank Zombo, offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga, wide receiver Greg Jennings, defensive end Ryan Pickett and offensive tackle Chad Clifton will not participate.

The team also announced some adjustments to its starting lineup: on the offensive side, Jordy Nelson is replacing Jennings, T.J. Lang is moving from left guard to right tackle and Evan Dietrich-Smith is taking over for Lang at left guard. Defensively, Howard Green is starting in Pickett's left defensive end spot and C.J. Wilson gets the nod at the other end spot in place of Jarius Wynn.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this week's game, visit Bears Blog Windy City Gridiron and Packers blog Acme Packing Company. For more from around the NFL, head over to SB Nation's NFL news hub.

Bears Vs. Packers: Time, TV Schedule, Radio Streaming And More

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Green Bay Packers Injury Report, Week 16: WR Greg Jennings, T Bryan Baluga Out Against Bears

Facing the struggling Chicago Bears (7-7) on Sunday night, the Green Bay Packers (13-1) come limping into their Week 16 game. The Packers, who cannot boast and injured QB and RB like the Bears, have sustained a slew a recent injuries, adding a degree of intrigue to a matchup that heavily favors the Packers.

Here is Week 16's Injury Report for the Packers:

Out

- WR Greg Jennings

- T Bryan Bulaga

- DE Ryan Pickett

- T Chad Clifton

Questionable

- DE Mike Neal

Probable

- LB Desmond Bishop

- RB Brandon Saine

- RB James Starks

- NT Howard Green

The Packers may find themselves hurting for offensive line depth with tackles Bryan Buluga, Chad Clifton and Derek Sherrod (on the IR) all out for Sunday's game. The Bears' pass defense, which has held apposing offenses under a 79.0 QB rating, may have accelerated access to QB Aaron Rodgers, who was sacked four times in Week 15.

Green Bay will also be without their one of their top play-making wide receivers in Greg Jennings, who has 949 receiving yards and 9 TDs on the season. Fortunately for QB Josh McCown, getting his first start of the season, DE Ryan Pickett will also miss Sunday's game. Pickett has already matched his 2010 season total with 32 tackles and has the ability to stifle running games on command and free up the pass rushers around him.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this week's game, visit Bears Blog Windy City Gridiron and Packers blog Acme Packing Company. For more from around the NFL, head over to SB Nation's NFL news hub.

Chicago Bears Injury Report, Week 16: Lance Briggs, Devin Hester Questionable Against Packers

The Chicago Bears (7-7) already have an uphill battle, taking on the NFL's best record in the Green Bay Packers (13-1), but their current injury report likely makes the task all the greater. According the Bears' official injury report, several key contributors may miss Sunday's Week 16 game:

Out

- QB Jay Cutler

- RB Matt Forte

Doubtful

- RB Marion Barber

Questionable

- LB Lance Briggs

- WR Devin Hester

- DT Henry Melton

The Bears, winless since Jay Cutler broke his thumb, will unsurprisingly still be without the services of their top two offensive contributors, Cutler and Forte. However, even their depth is starting to whittle away as RB Marion Barber, the starting halfback in place of Forte, is currently listed as doubtful.

Chicago has already named third-string running back Khalil Bell as the starter for Sunday's game, so even if Barber's injury has improved, the veteran back's carries may well be quite limited. Meanwhile, All-Pro linebacker Lance Briggs -- who has not missed a start this year -- is questionable.

WR Devin Hester is also continuing to heal from an ankle injury that has limited both his touches and productivity over the last few weeks. Hester leads the NFL with an 18.5 yards per punt return average this season.

At the same time, the Bears are looking for a healthy return from DT Henry Melton, who has a nifty 7.0 sacks in 2011 and returned to practice on Thursday.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this week's game, visit Bears Blog Windy City Gridiron and Packers blog Acme Packing Company. For more from around the NFL, head over to SB Nation's NFL news hub.

Bears Vs. Packers: Chicago To Start CB Zackary Bowman, Bench Tim Jennings

According to the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Bears (7-7) will be changing more than just their quarterback depth chart against for Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers (13-1). The latest out of Halas Hall is that the Bears will be starting CB Zackary Bowman against the Packers, sending CB Tim Jennings -- the starting cornerback opposite CB Charles Tillman -- to the bench.

Easily the single most important game of the Bears' season, the Christmas Day game will likely definitively and mathematically decide whether or not the Bears still have a chance at the playoffs in 2011.

Jennings, though disappointed at losing his starting job to Bowman, was eager to help the team any means he could:

"I'm a reserve," he said. "When my number's called, I'll be ready. They want to try something different. If they like it, they'll roll with it. If not, and they call my number, I'll be ready to play.''

Bowman had been a starter for the Bears in 2009 and 2010, but lost his job to Jennings early in the season. The 27-year-old Nebraska product has 7 career interceptions through 15 starts and 44 games played.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this week's game, visit Bears Blog Windy City Gridiron and Packers blog Acme Packing Company. For more from around the NFL, head over to SB Nation's NFL news hub.

Marion Barber Injury Update: Barber Expected To Miss Sunday's Game, According To Report

Marion Barber did not participate in team practice for the Chicago Bears on Wednesday and Thursday due to a calf injury, and now he is not expected to play on Sunday due to that same injury, according to Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune. McClure source tells him that Barber is a no-go on Sunday, leaving Kahlil Bell to make is second career start when the Bears meet the Green Bay Packers. Lovie Smith doesn't exactly seem worried about Bell taking on a larger role, and had nothing but good things to say about the young undrafted free agent running back out of UCLA:

There are bigger concerns I have, and Kahlil is not one of them. I vividly remember his first carry he had at Soldier Field (a franchise-rookie record 72-yard run). I see him every day in practice going against our No. 1 defense. He can make you miss in the open field. He can run with power inside. He can catch the ball out of the backfield. I'm excited about the opportunity he has.    

via the Chicago Tribune.

On the season, Bell has 162 yards rushing on 39 carries for an average of 4.2 yards per carry, and has only amassed 382 yards rushing on 79 carries in his entire three-year NFL career. The Bears will be running an offense that looks a lot more like a practice squad from a personnel standpoint, with Josh McCown at quarterback and Kahlil Bell at running back. 

Green Bay Packers Injury Report, Week 16: Greg Jennings, Ryan Pickett Miss Practice Thursday

Green Bay's Thursday injury report has been released, and while the Packers already know they will be without wide receiver Greg Jennings (knee) and offensive lineman Bryan Bulaga (knee) this weekend, the statuses of several other guys are up in the air.

Defensive end Ryan Pickett (concussion) was unable to practice for the second straight day.

Linebacker Desmond Bishop (calf), offensive tackle Chad Clifton (hamstring/back), nose tackle Howard Green (foot) and defensive end Mike Neal (shoulder) were limited in Thursday's practice.

Running backs James Starks (knee/ankle) Brandon Saine (concussion) fully participated.

Jennings suffered a knee injury on Dec. 11 and may sit out until the playoffs start, so the Packers are going to need some of their other receiving options to step up in his absence.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this week's game, visit Bears Blog Windy City Gridiron and Packers blog Acme Packing Company. For more from around the NFL, head over to SB Nation's NFL news hub.

Chicago Bears Injury Report, Week 16: Devin Hester, Marion Barber Miss Practice On Thursday

The Chicago Bears have released their latest injury report, and in addition to Jay Cutler and Matt Forte -- both of whom are rehabbing serious injuries -- several other Bears were held out of practice on Thursday. Running back Marion Barber (calf), wide receiver Devin Hester (ankle) and linebacker Lance Briggs (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday.

Lovie Smith hopes to get Barber, Hester and Briggs back on the field Friday.

Tight end Kellen Davis (back) and defensive lineman Henry Melton (shin) returned to practice on a limited basis after being held out on Wednesday. And defensive end Julius Peppers fully participated after missing Wednesday's practice for reasons not related to injury.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this week's game, visit Bears Blog Windy City Gridiron and Packers blog Acme Packing Company. For more from around the NFL, head over to SB Nation's NFL news hub.

Bears Vs. Packers: QB Josh McCown Surprised, Excited To Play On Sunday

The Chicago Bears, winless (0-4) since their starting quarterback Jay Cutler went down with a broken thumb injury, will be starting 32-year-old veteran Josh McCown in Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers.

According to Scout.com, McCown had been coaching high school football when the Bears contacted and then signed the former member of the Arizona Cardinals. McCown -- who also played one season in the United Football League (UFL) and led the league in passing that year -- also spent time briefly on the San Francisco 49ers roster in 2011.

Though this is his first start since 2007, McCown said he expects to be nervous, but hopes to control his nerves at the same time:

"Just the excitement and the joy of being between the stripes again with the lights on, I think that first snap obviously will be exciting," he said. "But after that, you have a job to do, and that's to go play good football and help your team win. I don't want to get too excited and too amped up."

McCown also acknowledged the more amazing side of his journey out of and back into the NFL:

"Absolutely it's a cool story and cool moment. But at the same time, I'm a competitor. I want to win the game. I want to do right by the coaches and by the other 52 guys in the locker room..."

Josh McCown and the Bears play the Packers on Christmas with kickoff slated for 7:20 PM CST.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this week's game, visit Bears Blog Windy City Gridiron and Packers blog Acme Packing Company. For more from around the NFL, head over to SB Nation's NFL news hub.

Green Bay Packers Injury Report, Week 16: Greg Jennings Misses Wednesday Practice

The Green Bay Packers are hoping to bounce back from last week's disappointing loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, and they may not have too much trouble against a struggling Chicago Bears squad. It appears that the Packers won't have star wide receiver Greg Jennings in the game, but they'll likely be okay considering the abundance of weapons that Green Bay has on offense.

Green Bay's full injury report can be found here, but it's shown below:

Out

- WR Greg Jennings

- OT Bryan Bulaga

Did Not Participate

- DE Ryan Pickett

Limited Participation

- LB Desmond Bishop

- OT Chad Clifton

- DE Mike Neal

- RB Brandon Saine

Full Participation

- RB James Starks

The big names here are Jennings and Clifton. We saw first-hand during the Chiefs game just how much the Packers could miss having Jennings on offense, and they'll be without him once again this week. The 28-year-old has 67 catches for 949 yards and 9 touchdowns in 13 games this season. Clifton has a good chance of playing, which has to be good news for Aaron Rodgers.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this week's game, visit Bears Blog Windy City Gridiron and Packers blog Acme Packing Company. For more from around the NFL, head over to SB Nation's NFL news hub.

Chicago Bears Injury Report, Week 16: Numerous Key Players Miss Wednesday Practices

If you've paid any attention to the Chicago Bears this season, you know exactly how much injuries have ruined what could have been a truly special season. It all started with starting quarterback Jay Cutler having a season-ending thumb injury, and things only got worse a couple weeks later with the news that star running back Matt Forte would be missing the remainder of the season, too.

All one needs to do is look at the Bears' official injury report for Wednesday's practices to get a grasp of the situation. Chicago is facing the Green Bay Packers this weekend, but the team will likely be a fraction of itself as it tries to end a four-game losing streak. The official report can be found here, but it's shown below:

Did Not Participate

- QB Jay Cutler

- RB Matt Forte

- RB Marion Barber

- WR Devin Hester

- LB Lance Briggs

- DE Julius Peppers

- TE Kellen Davis

- DL Henry Melton

That list almost reads out like the players that the Bears need to win each week. You're looking at their starting quarterback, starting running back, back-up running back, starting linebacker, starting defensive end and arguably the best kick returner in the history of the game. None of those players participated on Wednesday, making it unclear which ones will be able to play against Green Bay. Forte and Cutler are sure to be out, so the Bears are going to need all of the help that they can get.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this week's game, visit Bears Blog Windy City Gridiron and Packers blog Acme Packing Company. For more from around the NFL, head over to SB Nation's NFL news hub.

Bears Name Josh McCown Starting QB For Week 16

It may be seen by many Chicago Bears fans as "too little, too late," but the move has been made: The Bears announced on Wednesday that Josh McCown will in Week 16 when the team takes on the Green Bay Packers on Christmas night. In his four starts as Jay Cutler's replacement, Hanie threw three touchdowns to nine interceptions, completed only 50% of his passes and compiled a dismal overall quarterback rating of 41.8.

McCown, who was signed as a free agent by the Bears as insurance after Cutler's injury, had not thrown a pass in the NFL since 2009 before relieving Hanie late in last week's loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He threw two passes vs. Seattle on Sunday, one of which was intercepted.

In 2007, McCown appeared in nine games for the Oakland Raiders, throwing 10 touchdowns to 11 interceptions, compiling a QB rating of 69.4.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this week's game, visit Bears Blog Windy City Gridiron and Packers blog Acme Packing Company. For more from around the NFL, head over to SB Nation's NFL news hub.

Bears Vs. Packers: Josh McCown Could Start At QB For Chicago

Caleb Hanie's days as Chicago's starting QB could be numbered.