NFC North: Packers send a message in 23-10 win over Chicago

Posted Sep 14, 2012

All the talk surrounding the NFC North this offseason pertained to whether the Lions or Bears have “closed the gap” between themselves and the Green Bay Packers.

The Vikings had been left out of that equation coming off a 4-12 season and considered in rebuilding mode.

The Bears got the first crack at the Packers Thursday night and revealed that the gap is still pretty wide between themselves and the Packers after a 23-10 loss on Lambeau Field.

The Lions won’t get their first chance at the Packers, who won the NFC North last year with a 15-1 record, until a November 18 meeting at Ford Field.

The 13-point loss to the Packers, Thursday, wasn’t indicative of how thoroughly beaten the Bears were.

They spent a lot of resources this offseason revamping their offense in hopes of staying with an explosive Packers offense that ranked third in the NFL last season. The Bears traded for receiver Brandon Marshall, signed free agent running back Michael Bush and drafted receiver Alshon Jeffery.

None of it helped on Thursday.

"Their offense didn't look any different to me," said Packers defensive back Charles Woodson via Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com. "We know those guys. We've played them a lot. They didn't look much different. They just have some new players."

Ouch.

The Bears were held to just 168 total yards of offense and quarterback Jay Cutler was sacked seven times. Packers Pro Bowl linebacker Clay Matthews was responsible for 3.5 of those. Cutler was caught by NFL Network camera berating his offensive line in the second half of the game. Marshall and Jeffrey combined for three catches and 31 yards. Cutler completed just 11-of-27 passes with four interceptions for a 28.2 rating.

The Bears did nothing Thursday to show they're even on the same level as the Packers.

The Lions have a chance to make a statement this weekend in San Francisco. The 49ers marched into Lambeau Field last week and defeated the Packers. If the Lions can pull off the upset Sunday night in prime time, the Packers should take notice that maybe that gap between them and the Lions is closing a little faster than the one between them and the Bears.