Check out this highlight package from NFL Network.  At first it seems like a Packers highlight reel, but that’s just because of their early dominance of this contest.  I love Jeff Joniak’s calls.  No, he’s not a homer.  Neither are Ron Santo and Hawk Harrelson.

Now that the dust has settled and I’ve fully thawed out, I’ve had a chance to take a closer look at the game, BY THE NUMBERS:

1 – as in 4th and 1.  Looking back at the highlights, this key conversion late in the Bears’ final TD drive was way closer than I originally thought.  Thanks for the spot refs!

2 – degrees Fahrenheit at kickoff, making it the coldest game in Bears history since they started keeping records in 1963. 

3 – total points allowed by the Bears defense in the second half.  Glad to see them wake up.  Special thanks to special teams for the blocked field goal.

5 – current Packers losing streak, longest since 1990 before you-know-who arrived.  Is it a coincidence that now that he’s gone, they experience their longest losing streak.  I’m just sayin’.

8 – Bears become the 8th team in NFL history to win consecutive overtime games.

38 – distance of Mason Crosby’s field goal attempt that was blocked by Alex Brown.  Coincidentally, it was the distance of Robbie Gould’s game winner.

How many fingers???

62,151 – official paid attendance for Monday night’s frigid game.  I doubt that many actually made it out, but an impressive turnout nonetheless.

Was it just me, or did the Packers look like they expected the coin to be flipped again after it hit Brian Urlacher’s helmet for the OT coin toss?  Sorry Pack, no do-overs, no takebacks.  Rock-paper-scissors?  How many fingers? 

Since the NFC North was established prior to the 2002 season, only the Bears and Packers have won the title.  Here’s to hoping that it stays that way and leaves the Vikings out in the cold.

BEAR DOWN!!!

Gould signed with the team as an undrafted free agent out of Penn State in 2005 and became a fan favorite for his mixture of professionalism and personality. He frequently makes himself available to media and fans and has stayed humble through his popularity. He is mindful of his days getting cut by the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens and keeps a positive attitude.

He was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2006 and has made 84 of 99 field goals for his career, an 85% success rate. His most notable kick came in the playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field in overtime that led the Bears to the NFC Championship Game. Gould has the fourth highest career field goal percentage in NFL history behind kickers Nate Keading, Mike Vanderjagt, and Shayne Graham. In 2006, Gould scored 143 points, ranking him 23rd for most points scored in a single season in NFL history. His 143 points also ranked him 2nd only behind LaDainian Tomlinson‘s 186 points for most points scored in the NFL that season. Last season, his 126 points was good enough to rank him 8th in the NFL in points scored.

In 2006, Gould’s 32 successful field goals ranked him in a tie for 1st with Jeff Wilkins for most field goals made that season. In 2007, his 31 successful field goals ranked him in a three way tie for 2nd for most field goals made with Mason Crosby and Shayne Graham, and trailing Rob Bironas. Those are big numbers for a kid that was working as construction worker in Pennsylvania three years ago before signing with the Bears.