Packers' defense peaking at the right time

[Cheesehead]

The third-year running back found paydirt once, finishing the Bears' opening series with a 2-yard TD run up the middle, but Green Bay otherwise clamped down inside its own 20.


That included after Tavon Austin fumbled a punt return in the second quarter that gave Chicago the ball at the Green Bay 20. The Bears went three-and-out and were forced to settle for a Cairo Santos 30-yard field goal.


The defense earned its first takeaway later in the quarter, with cornerback Jaire Alexander stripping tight end Cole Kmet of the football at the Chicago 22.


"The one thing I'm really proud of our defense is we've challenged them in terms of running to the football, getting multiple hats at the point of attack, and I think our guys have answered that," LaFleur said. "They're playing with more energy, more emotion, playing together, really focused on doing their 1/11th, doing their job at the best of their ability, so that's something we'll continue to stress, and I think our guys have really improved in that regard."


Linebacker Krys Barnes had a career-high 14 tackles and stopped several runners short of the first down. The Bears endured due to a 4-for-4 streak on fourth-down conversions.


That trend stopped when nickel cornerback Chandon Sullivan broke up a pass for Allen Robinson in the flat for a turnover on downs early in the fourth quarter. On the next series, Amos intercepted Trubisky to help seal the win.


It's been a rollercoaster season for the Packers' defense, but the gradual improvements it made throughout the course of the year made it possible for the Packers to finish inside the top 10 in total defense for the first time in a decade.


On the eve of the postseason, the unit feels it's peaking at the right time.


"We just stayed together," said Amos of the key to the defensive success. "When there's adversity throughout the season, we have to stick together. We figure things out. Great communication between the leaders of the team, between the coaches, everybody just locking in and grinding each and every day, taking one step at a time. I think that's helped us big-time."