Green Bay Packers: 3 takeaways from Thanksgiving Day loss to Bears

– C JC Tretter started the first game of his National Football League career. Peyton Manning did it in 132 games, while Tom Brady and Brett Favre both did it in 141 games. Cutler had averaged three interceptions while completing barely half his passes in those games, but was 19-of-31 for 200 yards and a touchdown as the Bears moved to 5-6 in a 17-13 victory that continued a big week for Cutler. If you’re a Packers fan, you’ve been duped into thinking that is something that happens with regularity because when you’ve had names like Starr, Favre and Rodgers guiding your franchise collectively for 40 years and counting, you find yourself surprised when things don’t go your way. Rodgers will look to get back on track when Green Bay travels to Detroit for another prime time game next Thursday.

“We’ve been in a lot of games in the fourth quarter”.

The Bears have been in each and every one of their last eight games – going 5-3 – and the last five weeks should be no different. On the preceding play, James Jones couldn’t hang on to a potential touchdown catch. However, Aaron Rodgers’ passing game continues its feeble trend.

Robbie Gould’s 21-yard field goal in the fourth quarter for Chicago was the only scoring for either team in the second half in a game played dreary conditions.

Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears spoiled the fun and left rainy Green Bay on Thursday with a win.

This reunion didn’t seem likely after Favre was traded to the Jets in 2008.

Favre lauded Rodgers while speaking at a charity event Thursday.

“I never was as good as him. They were trying to make a quick throw, and I just beat (the receiver) to the spot”.

Backup safety Chris Prosinski, who epitomizes the job defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has done with this unit, said it best: “The man is a genius”. “He was gritting his teeth”. I mean, all of my good records will be broken and all my bad ones I’m going to keep.

“It is Thanksgiving and I have so much to be thankful for”, Favre said.

On October 18 against the San Diego Chargers, Rodgers reached 30,000 passing yards on his 3,625 pass attempt surpassing Johnny Unites, who accomplished the feat in 3, 695 passes. It was the fourth loss in the last five games for the Pack who slip to 7-4 and cede first place in the NFC North back to Minnesota just four days after they wrestled it from the Vikings.

Games, and seasons, have turning points. The teams have tied on six occasions. Chicago went three-and-out on its first three possessions and had one first down in the opening quarter….

Curtis Crabtree of Pro Football Talks reports that the Seattle Seahawks will cornerback Jeremy Lane this week.

The New York Jets signed full back Julian Howsare to the practice squad and released wide receiver Titus Davis from the practice squad.

Such experiences served Favre well during college and pro training camps.