Live game blog: Packers at Bears

Join Tom Silverstein for lively discussion and Q&A during Sunday afternoon’s game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.

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3rd & 7 37yd

Tom, it looks sunny, funny to ask but is that an issue?

by Bad Finger 12/18/2016 5:51:22 PM
The southern end of the field is shaded, which might make it a little more difficult for fielding kickoffs, but I don't see it being a huge problem.

by Tom Silverstein 12/18/2016 5:52:01 PM
Really think this is the week that GB has to pick up that game from detroit. NY is fighting for a possible division and Det. hasnt played outside other than 2 games or so this year. Thoughts?

by James 12/18/2016 5:52:08 PM
Was Sean Taylor a top ten all time Safety?

by Falco 12/18/2016 5:52:14 PM
He was on his way to that.

by Tom Silverstein 12/18/2016 5:52:19 PM
Couldn't agree more re: modernizing our approach. Does replacing TT necessarily mean losing MM? Do you think Wolf, as GM, would keep McCarthy? The Packers problems are with talent acquisition, not coaching, in my opinion.

by SeattlePackerFan 12/18/2016 5:52:29 PM
I think Wolf would keep McCarthy. They have a good working relationship. McCarthy has always played the guys Thompson has given him. He'd do the same with Wolf.

by Tom Silverstein 12/18/2016 5:52:57 PM
Who has the tie breaker if Lions and Pack have same record

by RobKeg 12/18/2016 5:53:04 PM
That won't be decided until the final game of the season.

by Tom Silverstein 12/18/2016 5:53:11 PM
Good Morning Tom...Cold, cold day on the ole' ball ground!

by DadGiff 12/18/2016 5:53:14 PM
Are the Bears going to blitz alot early to test the calf? How will the packers adjust if so?

by Colorado 12/18/2016 5:53:21 PM
I expect them to come after Rodgers a lot early. Vic Fangio isn't a big blitz guy, but he might as well test that calf early on. I expect McCarthy to have Rodgers throw quick passes early. Try to get him warmed up and in a rhythm. Maybe some screens to go with those short passes.

by Tom Silverstein 12/18/2016 5:54:15 PM
Do we come out with 3 Defensive Linemen with Lowry starting at the 5-Technique?

by GRIDIRONCoach 12/18/2016 5:54:29 PM
I believe that's a strong possibility. It always depends on what personnel the Bears use, but if they line up in base personnel, the Packers will match it and with Peppers playing OLB, I would expect to see Lowry starting.

by Tom Silverstein 12/18/2016 5:55:13 PM
I agree with your sentiment that our player personnel needs to change with more veteran backups. If you compare Pack to Pats, Belicheck picks up a former 1st round pick at a position of their need (WR) while TT picks up an undrafted QB only he views as a NFL QB at a position we don't need. It's clear why Pats go to so many more Super Bowls vs. Packers in last 10+ years.

by pdksobe 12/18/2016 5:55:29 PM
Tom, totally agree with the comments about TT. I'm concerned his build from within approach will result in only one super bowl title with AR at the helm. It is time to "go for it" with some veteran free agents next year.

by Jaker 12/18/2016 5:55:34 PM
Tom, seems as if ball security will be a big issue with the weather being so cold. Any history on Micheal carrying the ball in these conditions or in general?

by PackerSteve 12/18/2016 5:55:40 PM
No, and I think it's something to keep an eye on. I'm not sure I'd trust him much if I were McCarthy. But he'll have to give him the ball some because Montgomery can't take all the snaps. I also expect Ripkowski to get some carries today. Good day for a guy like him to belly it up in the line.

by Tom Silverstein 12/18/2016 5:56:46 PM
Tom, greeting from Fairbanks, Alaska. You're colder there with the wind chill--minus 1 here ambient.

by AKGriz 12/18/2016 5:56:49 PM
Your analysis of what MM would like to run on offense is probably what ever head coach would want.

by Bad Finger 12/18/2016 5:56:55 PM
Tom, over the years I've watched the Bears ruin the Pack's playoff hopes more than
once...remember 1983? That spelled Bart Starr's doom

by DadGiff 12/18/2016 5:57:01 PM
Last game of his tenure. When he failed to use timeouts to try to give his team a chance to win at the end, he was asked about it by reporters. His answer was, THat's our business.

by Tom Silverstein 12/18/2016 5:57:38 PM
National anthem.

by Tom Silverstein 12/18/2016 5:57:46 PM
The stands at Soldier Field are a third full at best.

by Tom Silverstein 12/18/2016 5:59:32 PM
I took my three sons to see the Brett Favre and the gang play the Bears in Soldier's Field back in 2007...The only game when all four of us were together...It was bitter, bitter cold...The Packer's basically tanked the game, mainly because they were a lock for home-field that year...Do you even have that kind of inkling the same thing happens today?

by DadGiff 12/18/2016 5:59:40 PM
Greetings from Maui Tom. Overcast, windy, in the 70's. Thanks for taking this one for the team.

by Capt. Fritter 12/18/2016 5:59:43 PM
How's the wind, Tom? I was there in '07 for the game, and it looked like Brett was throwing curve balls.

by AKGriz 12/18/2016 5:59:45 PM
Not nearly as b bad. Wind right now is 10-12 mph, but it could get worse.

by Tom Silverstein 12/18/2016 6:00:06 PM
Packers captains are Peppers, Taylor and Janis.

by Tom Silverstein 12/18/2016 6:00:30 PM
Packers call heads. It's tails, Bears win. The Bears will defer to the second half. Packers will receive.

by Tom Silverstein 12/18/2016 6:01:08 PM
Tom -- regarding TT. I believe in his draft and develop strategy except do believe it needs to be supported with a few key free agents now and then (nothing drastic). For instance, give up a third for a PROVEN running back (Lynch) or sign a free agent to fill holes (year after year) at TE and ILB. Can't Murphy (without dictating every move) tell TT that this is something he needs to work on / improve on. We all get reviewed why doesn't TT?

by Bob in MN 12/18/2016 6:01:27 PM
Tom, do you have the Packer's Hall of Fame vote?

by Falco 12/18/2016 6:01:36 PM
I do not. Pete Dougherty has it.

by Tom Silverstein 12/18/2016 6:01:43 PM
I know Randall will start, but he was limited all week. Did he rush back too soon from surgery?

by mikeb 12/18/2016 6:01:56 PM
No, I think he's just got natural soreness. He was taking part in warm-ups and will start.

by Tom Silverstein 12/18/2016 6:02:15 PM
Tom...the end of your story today was bizarre..."In this game, sometimes you beat the elements and sometimes the elements beat you." Would this make it past a high school editor?

by Elliott 12/18/2016 6:02:22 PM
I would hope so.

by Tom Silverstein 12/18/2016 6:02:26 PM
Is Sitton playing for Bears today?

by CLPackerBacker 12/18/2016 6:02:29 PM
Yes, he is.

by Tom Silverstein 12/18/2016 6:02:34 PM
Montgomery is the lone returner.

by Tom Silverstein 12/18/2016 6:02:47 PM
Kick is way short. Montgomery with a good job fielding it. Packers will start at the 27.

by Tom Silverstein 12/18/2016 6:03:21 PM
Montgomery in the backfield.

by Tom Silverstein 12/18/2016 6:03:57 PM
Now it's Davante Adams in the backfield.

by Tom Silverstein 12/18/2016 6:04:12 PM
Nice easy gain of 6, makes it third and 2.

by Tom Silverstein 12/18/2016 6:04:50 PM
Well, Rodgers looked pretty good Kwiatkowski's blitz. Nice little step up and throw to Cook.

by Tom Silverstein 12/18/2016 6:05:40 PM