Chapter 16 Week 1 Begins
Packers vs. Bears - Week 1
Setting: Soldier Field, Chicago. The stands are packed with enthusiastic fans. It's a crisp fall day, and the tension is palpable as the Green Bay Packers face off against the Chicago Bears in the season opener. The Packers are starting Brett Favre at quarterback, and the game is set to be a classic NFC North showdown.
Teams:
Green Bay Packers: Brett Favre (QB), Ahman Green (RB), Donald Driver (WR), Greg Jennings (WR), Bubba Franks (TE), Chad Clifton (LT), Daryn Colledge (LG), Scott Wells (C), Jason Spitz (RG), Mark Tauscher (RT).
Chicago Bears: Rex Grossman (QB), Thomas Jones (RB), Cedric Benson (RB), Muhsin Muhammad (WR), Bernard Berrian (WR), Desmond Clark (TE), John Tait (LT), Olin Kreutz (C), Roberto Garza (RG), Fred Miller (RT).
First Quarter
Bears' Offense:
Grossman: (calling signals) "Alright, let's start with 'Pro I Strong 34 Dive.'"
The Bears run a dive play with Thomas Jones. The offensive line, featuring Tait, Kreutz, Garza, and Miller, creates a hole, and Jones breaks through for a 12-yard gain.
Grossman: (calling the next play) "Let's go with 'Trips Right Z Out.'"
Grossman drops back and hits Muhsin Muhammad on a quick out route for 15 yards. The Bears advance into Packers' territory.
Packers' Defense:
Barnett: (leading the defense) "Watch for the play-action!"
The Bears execute a play-action pass. Grossman fakes a handoff and throws a deep pass to Bernard Berrian, who makes a leaping catch for a 30-yard gain down to the Packers' 5-yard line.
Grossman: (calling out the next play) "Let's go with 'I Formation Power O.'"
The Bears run a power sweep to Jones, who scores a 5-yard touchdown. The Bears lead 7-0.
Packers' Offense:
Favre: (under center, calling the play) "Let's start with 'Strong I 36 Power.'"
Favre hands off to Ahman Green, who runs up the middle for 8 yards.
Favre: (calling the next play) "Let's go with 'Trips Left 68 Slant.'"
Favre drops back and attempts a pass to Donald Driver, but Brian Urlacher makes a great play, intercepting the ball and returning it 20 yards.
McCarthy: (on the sideline, shaking his head) "Brett, we need to be more careful with the ball."
Bears' Offense:
Grossman: (trying to capitalize on the turnover) "Let's run 'Strong I 22 Counter.'"
The Bears hand off to Jones, who gains 10 yards.
Grossman: (calling the next play) "Now, 'Trips Right Post Corner.'"
Grossman connects with Desmond Clark for a 15-yard gain. The Bears are moving efficiently.
Packers' Defense:
Woodson: (in the secondary) "Keep your eyes on Clark; he's their go-to guy."
The Bears reach the red zone. Grossman tries to pass to Muhsin Muhammad, but Al Harris breaks up the pass, forcing a field goal attempt.
**Bears' Kicker, Robbie Gould, makes a 23-yard field goal. Bears lead 10-0.
Packers' Offense:
Favre: (back on the field, determined) "Let's get something going. Run 'Singleback 92 Y Stick.'"
Favre completes a pass to Bubba Franks for 12 yards. The Packers are starting to gain some momentum.
Favre: (calling the next play) "Let's go with 'Pro I 34 Lead.'"
Favre hands off to Green, who runs for 15 yards. The Packers are in Bears' territory.
Favre: (calling another play) "Alright, let's try 'Trips Right 71 Drag.'"
Favre hits Jennings on a drag route for 20 yards. The Packers are in the red zone.
Favre: (calling the next play) "Let's finish this drive with 'Singleback 90 Slant.'"
Favre throws a touchdown pass to Driver from 10 yards out. The Packers trail 10-7.
Second Quarter
Bears' Offense:
Grossman: (under center, calling the play) "Let's go with 'Pro I 23 Sweep.'"
The Bears run a sweep to Cedric Benson, who gains 12 yards.
Grossman: (calling the next play) "Now, 'Trips Left 24 Fade.'"
Grossman attempts a fade pass to Muhsin Muhammad in the end zone, but Nick Collins intercepts the ball for a touchback.
Packers' Offense:
Favre: (trying to rally the team) "Let's go with 'Pro I 36 Power.'"
Favre hands off to Green, who gains 8 yards.
Favre: (calling the next play) "Let's run 'Singleback 72 Post.'"
Favre throws a pass to Driver, who makes a spectacular catch for 25 yards.
Favre: (calling another play) "Let's finish with 'Trips Right 79 Corner.'"
Favre attempts a pass to Jennings, but Urlacher intercepts the ball again. The Bears are back in possession.
Bears' Offense:
Grossman: (taking advantage of the turnover) "Let's run 'Pro I 34 Dive.'"
The Bears run a dive play with Thomas Jones, who gains 7 yards.
Grossman: (calling the next play) "Now, 'Trips Left 26 Power.'"
Grossman hands off to Benson, who runs for 5 yards and a first down.
Grossman: (calling the next play) "Let's go with 'Pro I 48 Play Action.'"
Grossman fakes a handoff and hits Desmond Clark for a 15-yard gain. The Bears are inside the Packers' 10-yard line.
Grossman: (calling the next play) "Finish with 'I Formation Power O.'"
The Bears run a power play with Jones, who scores a 4-yard touchdown. Bears lead 17-7.