Packs Defense Saves Night Hold On Th Defeat Bears 27-24 After Big First-Half Advantage

The Green Bay Packers’ first half was an offensive masterpiece. Short passes, medium ones and a 99-yarder from Brett Favre to Robert Brooks that built leads of 21-0 and 24-7.

The second half, however, was a great escape.

The Chicago Bears, using a key interception and a blocked punt, not only got back in the game - they threatened to win it.

“Your heart is beating, you’re worried, you’re scared. But, geez, we held on,” Favre said after the Packers survived for a 27-24 victory Monday night. “We did a lot of things. They came back strong. We knew that 21-0 was not going to hold it.”

Green Bay’s defense came to the rescue. The Bears, trailing 27-21, were at the 2 and ready to take the lead but were forced to kick a field goal. Then with 2 minutes left, Reggie White forced a fumble by Bears quarterback Erik Kramer and Wayne Simmons recovered to save the victory.

“It was very difficult and very rewarding at the same time,” said Packers coach Mike Holmgren. “I have never seen so many bad things happen in such a short time.”

Green Bay, which won both games with the Bears last season by a combined 73-9 score, appeared on the way to another lopsided victory.

But a fourth-quarter interception by Donnell Woolford, who’d been burned on the 99-yarder, and a blocked punt by Anthony Marshall, giving the Bears the ball at the 2, put Chicago in position to win.

Kevin Butler’s 20-yard field goal then made it 27-24 with just more than 9 minutes remaining.