Tracy Porter once again came through with some huge plays down the stretch to seal the victory for the Bears over the Packers. Two key plays late in the game were the difference. An interception at the four-minute mark, and then in the waning moments, deflecting a pass in the end zone. Those plays alone would earn him the game ball. However, there was one more key stat: four pass deflections is the most by one CB against Aaron Rodgers in a single game (per Stat LLC).
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Few raised an eyebrow when Ryan Pace, the Bears new GM, signed Porter. For good reason too, the three prior seasons he only played in 25 games and 16 of those were in Oakland in 2013. Then in the preseason, he was injured and missed the first two games, then was a non-factor in the third game against Seattle. Since then in nine games, Porter has 10 pass deflections and one interception. More importantly, he has been a stabilizing influence in the defensive backfield. Porter’s play has elevated the play of second-year cornerback Kyle Fuller and certainly has helped rookies, Adrian Amos, Bryce Callahan, and journeyman Chris Prosinski.
The thing is, we shouldn’t have been surprised by Porter’s play. How can we forget Porter in the Super Bowl? Or picking off Brett Favre? Which was sweet on the night Brett Favre’s number was retired. Final notes on Porter, he was targeted 10 times but gave up just two catches for 23 yards. Since giving up the 48-yard TD pass to Thomas of the Broncos, Porter has been targeted 17 times with 4 catches and 34 yards.
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Overall, the Bears pass defense held Rodgers to 202 yards passing and a QB rating of 62.4, his lowest of the season. The Bears D had two more sacks this week, giving them seven in the last two games. While the run defense was shaky at times, the Bears defense was tough when it had to be.
The Bears are now 5-6 and still have a remote shot at the playoffs. Five games to go and other than the 49’ers, the others will not be easy. 9-7 is still in the cards, but 8-8 or 7-9 is more realistic. Neither of those finishes would be a bad thing considering most pundits had the Bears as the worst team in the NFL.
Here are the game highlights and comments by Zach Miller on Jay Cutler.
Next for the Bears are the 3-7 49’ers whole play Arizona Cardinals this Sunday.