Packers Bounce Back With Win Over Bears; Falcons Clinch Playoff Spot

It was a Merry Christmas for one NFL team, even though it wasn’t playing on Sunday. The Atlanta Falcons are playoff bound, despite resting comfortably at home on this festive of days. Thanks to the Green Bay Packers win over the Chicago Bears, the Falcons are in as a wildcard team, joining the Detroit Lions. The Bears, on the other hand, are eliminated from the playoffs -- the proverbial lump of coal in the stocking -- after falling to the Packers at Lambeau Field, 35-21.

Aaron Rodgers was his usual self, throwing for 283 yards and five touchdowns before being lifted for Matt Flynn. Jordy Nelson and James Jones each caught two touchdowns; Nelson also led all receivers with six catches for 115 yards. Jermichael Finley caught the first of Rodgers’ touchdown passes as the Packers took a lead they’d never relinquish.

Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher clearly didn’t expect Aaron Rodgers to run for his life. Perhaps the two thought Rodgers would just get down as they barreled down on him, looking to take a shot in the open field. They certainly didn’t anticipate what happened next.

Rodgers put his left foot in the ground and hit Briggs and Urlacher with a little shimmy in the open field. It was like flicking the right stick in Madden as the Green Bay quarterback juked to his right, split the gap between the two closing defenders and watched two of Chicago’s best collide in his wake.

Photo of this particularly naughty fan after the jump.

That fan on the left knows what’s up, especially if her parents aren’t football fans. If they are, well then she’s got some explaining to do.

Aaron Rodgers was efficient and clinical in the first half, but the Green Bay Packers were only able to build a 14-3 lead over a Chicago Bears squad starting Josh McCown at quarterback. Green Bay scored on its first and last drives of the half, each of which ended with a touchdown pass on a slant route.

Rodgers finished the half with 148 yards and two touchdowns, but the Green Bay running game was missing in action again. The Packers rushed for 14 yards on six carries while shying away from the ground game. James Jones and Ryan Grant each caught two passes for 34 yards to lead the way, and Rodgers completed throws to eight different receivers.

If you were wondering how the Green Bay Packers would respond to last weekend’s surprising loss, their first drive should answer all questions. All the Packers did was drive 80 yards in nine plays, needing just four and a half minutes to find the end zone for a touchdown. And that Aaron Rodgers guy went to work like a surgeon.

Rodgers was perfect on the drive, completing all eight of his passes for 77 yards as the Packers went to the air immediately. Jermichael Finley capped the drive with a touchdown, catching an easy slant to put the Packers on top.

The playoffs and the number one seed are all but wrapped up for the Packers, so it will be interesting to see how they play out the football game. The Packers talked about the want to go undefeated, but one has to wonder if the team will pull some starters late in games as they get ready and healthy for the playoffs.

Game Date/Time: Sunday, December 25; 8:20pm ET

OddShark has made the Packers a 12.5 point favorite.

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.