Though the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears are heading in opposite directions, both teams have a backfield controversy brewing.
The Packers posted their third win in four games Sunday with a 17-3 victory over the Bears, losers for the fourth straight week.With Darrell Thompson and Vince Workman sidelined with injuries, rookie Edgar Bennett took over and solidly established himself as a runner Green Bay cannot ignore. He had his first 100-yard game, gaining 107 yards on 29 carries.
"We all know that he has great ability. I wanted to get him in the game a few weeks ago," Green Bay coach Mike Holmgren said.
Bennett credited his blockers.
"Any time a back goes over 100 yards you have to give credit to the offensive line. Those guys did a great job of blocking," he said.
Quarterback Brett Favre, who completed 16 of 24 passes for 209 yards and one touchdown, also praised the men up front.
"I have said all year that the have done a great job and I don't think today was any different," said Favre, who was sacked only once, by Steve McMichael, and had time to throw all day.
Behind by two touchdowns in the final quarter, Bears coach Mike Ditka benched Jim Harbaugh, who had eight completions in 18 attempts for 97 yards. Backup quarterback Peter Tom Willis completed 16 of 23 passes for 160 yards.
"We are not unhappy with Jim at all. We were just trying to make something work, something happen," Ditka said.
But Ditka wouldn't say which quarterback would start next week at Cleveland.
"I love getting the opportunity to play, and I had fun," Willis said. "I'm always wishing Jim the best, but at the same time I want a shot to play."
"They were just trying to get things going, give P.T. a chance. I wasn't exactly tearing up the field," Harbaugh said.
The loss slipped the Bears to 4-7, while the Packers improved to 4-6.
"This lets us know that we can win a big game on the road," Packers cornerback Terrell Buckley said.
One of Chicago's few bright spots was Wendell Davis' eight receptions for 106 yards.
"We didn't make the big plays we needed and they did," Davis said.
The weather was nasty, with rain and gusty winds. But it didn't affect any key plays.
"The conditions were bad, but we still had the opportunity to move the ball. We just didn't do it," Davis said.
Holmgren said the wind made it tough for both teams.
"It was really a different game going into the wind for both teams. It was very difficult to throw the ball going that way so I'd have to say field position was a real key," he said.
Chicago opened the scoring with a 36-yard field goal by Kevin Butler in the first quarter.
But Green Bay came right back with 10 points before the period ended. Chris Jacke kicked a 39-yard field goal and two minutes later Favre hit Sterling Sharpe with a 49-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the drive.
The Packers, who play at home against Tampa Bay next Sunday, added a touchdown in the final quarter when Favre ran 5 yards on a keeper.
There were only three turnovers in the game, interceptions by Green Bay's Chuck Cecil and LeRoy Butler, and a fumble by Bennett.
"The hole was so big that I relaxed and somebody tipped the ball out of my hand. Then I said, `God please put me back in again," Bennett said.
After Bennett's fumble, Harbaugh threw the interception to Cecil, and the Packers took advantage by marching down the field for its second touchdown.