After the Packers beat the Bears in Week 1, quarterback Aaron Rodgers stepped to the podium at Soldier Field and said these words: “It’s always fun beating the Bears.”
And the Bears never forgot it.
In a way, Rodgers’ words helped motivate the Bears’ in their 17-13 win at Lambeau Field on Thanksgiving night. In addition, numerous Bears said they took it personally that they were selected as the Packers’ opponent for Brett Favre’s homecoming.
After three days off, emotions from the Bears’ win over the Packers still were strong Monday at Halas Hall.
“This game, it can get real personal,” outside linebacker Pernell McPhee said. “When you, it’s all fun, and when you lose, it’s very personal. The last two games that we lost — Minnesota and Denver — a lot of guys took it upon themselves that this game going in was personal.
“The quarterback said he loved beating up on us. Who he does he think we are? We ain’t that team of last year or two years ago, three years ago. It’s 2015 Chicago. A lot of guys took it personal, especially when somebody said I love beating up on your brother. I ain’t going to let nobody come beat my little brother up. We went in there, and we slapped them on his ass. They need to go ask them how that feels.”
In his career, Rodgers has dominated the Bears. But he couldn’t figure out the Bears on Thanksgiving night. The Bears made a goal-line stand for the victory and held Rodgers to a 62.4 passer rating, his worst mark at Lambeau.
Cornerback Tracy Porter made an interception and outside linebackers Willie Young and Lamarr Houston had sacks. Houston also hurt Rodgers’ left arm and hand when he tackled him after botched snap.
“You only get 16 of these things, so obviously it was a big win, one on the road, against a division opponent, our first one,” coach John Fox said. “We kind of knew where we were. We fell behind where we wanted to be in win-loss record, so it was kind of a must-win just like this week [against the 49ers] will be.”
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