Bears vs. Packers 2013, Week 9: Live coverage, score updates and more

When does a rivalry stop feeling like a rivalry and start feeling like a depressing sludge towards an inevitable conclusion?

This was the context staring the Bears in the face heading into the Week 9 matchup at Lambeau Field, a place they hadn’t won since 2007. The Packers had taken six straight matchups, including an NFC title game at Soldier Field in January of 2011. It was a game that had real meaning in the standings, but one the seemed like it was going to have the same result it always does.

If Rodgers did indeed fracture his collarbone or suffer a serious injury, there is likely nothing he can do to play through it. A collarbone fracture would keep him at out least a month, with similar injuries costing quarterbacks six weeks. Troy Aikman fractured his left collarbone in 1998 and returned six weeks later.

The Packers dropped into a three-way tie for first place in the NFC North with the loss, but fortunately do not have a difficult stretch of schedule coming up. Green Bay’s next three opponents have a combined 7-18 record and just three of the final eight opponents are currently .500 or better. If Rodgers missed five weeks, he would be out for a key game against Detroit, but return for the final three games of the season including contests against 5-4 Dallas and 5-3 Chicago.

When ESPN’s panelists got together before Monday Night Football, pretty much everybody thought the Packers would trounce a Bears squad playing with Josh McCown in place of an injured Jay Cutler.

Everybody except for one man:

There’s only one good way to celebrate a Bears win over the Packers. Corey Wootton, who all but sealed the game with a sack of Seneca Wallace late in the fourth quarter, knows that way is to do the robot like the guy from Chappelle’s Show.

Yes, wins over the Packers where Aaron Rodgers was knocked out and replaced by Seneca Wallace still count as wins. Our only regret is that Wootton didn’t do this after making the sack that ended Brett Favre’s career.

With the win, Chicago improved to 5-3, tying Green Bay and Detroit atop the NFC North.

Rodgers was the biggest fantasy disappointment, completing 1-of-2 passes for 27 yards before leaving.

Some Bears fans showed up to Lambeau Field to watch Bears-Packers, and they came prepared with a head-based zinger.

You see, Packers fans wear cheeesheads, so these guys have cheesegrater heads.

Uh, the Bears probably should have had a guy there, but I’m no defensive coordinator.

Naturally, the Packers scored after that.

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Not to worry, the Josh McCown-led Bears were forced to punt on the ensuing drive. Green Bay’s special teams unit blocked the kick, recovered the ball and the offense converted it to a touchdown from James Starks.

Here is the hit that knocked Rodgers out of the game.

Coming into the game, the Packers were heavy favorites as the Bears have been without quarterback Jay Cutler. Now with Rodgers out of the game, the Bears have new life.

An early return would be a big boost for the Bears who are fighting to remain in playoff contention. Although he’s been turnover-prone at times this season, Cutler was playing very well prior to the injury. He posted a 104.2 passer rating in October, up from his 85.1 passer rating in September.

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While Perry remains out with a foot injury, the Packers will have wide receiver James Jones. Jones missed the last two games due to a knee injury and was limited in practice during the week, but is active.

Here are the full inactive lists for both teams.

Game Date/Time and Location: 8:30 p.m. ET Monday at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wis.

TV schedule and distribution map: ESPN; The506.com

Acme Packing Company thinks the game has lost some of its luster since the Cutler injury:

Windy City Gridiron is concerned about the current play of the Bears’ defense:

Jones has just 16 receptions this season for 315 yards and one touchdown, and has just nine catches total in the last three games he’s played. The Packers’ offense keeps rolling, however, with a No. 5 passing offense sparking a four-game winning streak heading into Monday night’s contest against the Bears.

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The Packers are overwhelming favorites here, with 12 of 13 ESPN experts are picking them to win -- just one going with the Bears. At CBS Sports, six out of nine panelists are picking the Packers, and they are unanimous favorites at Yahoo! Sports.

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