GREEN BAY – Running a route isn't all a tight end has to do sometimes.
On his way to a six-catch, 85-yard day at Soldier Field, Packers tight end Jared Cook helped out the pass protection unit at the line of scrimmage before making a couple of those receptions.
Defensively, the guys in the trenches don't always get the credit they deserve, and defensive tackle Letroy Guion was involved in two of the key plays at the goal line late in the fourth quarter.
Here's the breakdown.
Play No. 1: Second-and-10 from the Green Bay 15, second quarter, 2:06 left
Result: 21-yard reception by Cook
As Cook is setting up to run a crossing route from left to right, he throws a quick block on Bears LB Leonard Floyd (94) before getting into his route. Shoved inside, Floyd gets caught up in the wash on the play, and the other Bears' linebackers forget about Cook, leaving him wide open for a big gain that gets the Packers to the 36-yard line at the two-minute warning. Green Bay would go on to kick a field goal to tie the score at 10 at halftime.
Play No. 2: First-and-10 from the Chicago 17, third quarter, 14:53 left
Result: 8-yard reception by Cook
This is the Packers' first play of the second half, right after Julius Peppers' strip-sack gives the offense the ball in the red zone. Again, Cook does his part in pass protection first, knocking unsuspecting LB Willie Young (97) to the ground before getting open for QB Aaron Rodgers.
Play No. 3: First-and-goal from the Green Bay 3, fourth quarter, 1:50 left
Result: Holding on Chicago, 10-yard penalty
On the inside, Guion beats the attempted reach block by rookie C Cody Whitehair (65), forcing Bears RB Jordan Howard to go way wide on the play. On the outside, Peppers (56) gets proper leverage and draws the holding penalty on Bears TE Logan Paulsen (82), pushing Chicago back.
Play No. 4: Second-and-goal from the Green Bay 4, fourth quarter, 1:34 left
Result: Howard stopped for no gain
Packers rookie S Kentrell Brice is the one who knifes through unblocked to get the first hit on Howard in the backfield, but pay close attention to the dirty work by Guion. He stays low on Bears G Josh Sitton (71) and within the pile of bodies appears to get a hand on Howard to help trip him up as Brice goes flying off of him.
The Packers' defense got the goal-line stop on the next play, as Micah Hyde breaks up a pass, and the Bears settle for the game-tying field goal.
