There are some Bears-Packers games that bring back great memories. Favre throwing 5 TD's on a bad ankle in 1995, Chester Marcol returning his own blocked FG for a TD in OT in 1980, the Majkowski instant replay game in 1989, and the 40-3 blowout at Lambeau in 1994 are just a few.
One game that many don't remember but is still one of my favorites was the 1981 opener at Chicago. Packers had lost the previous December 61-7 at Chicago (which was also my first Bears-Packers game in person). Packers were definitely looking for payback.
Packers opened up the game by taking the opening kickoff and putting together a drive that ended with a 2 yard TD run by Eddie Lee Ivery. There was a bad snap on the PAT but holder Ray Stachowicz (also the punter) hit LB Rich Wingo for the PAT to put the Packers up 7-0. There was no 2-point conversion back then.
Packers defense was tough as they were able to bottle up Walter Payton, but the offense struggled against the Bears defense. Packers had to settle for a 7-0 lead at the end of the 1st quarter.
Packers were able to put together a drive just before halftime. Gerry Ellis scored on a 5 yard run but the extra point was blocked. Packers led 13-0 at halftime.
Bears opened the 3rd quarter with a drive that ended with an 11 yard TD run by Payton. Bob Thomas made the PAT but there was a penalty on the Bears. Thomas missed on the second try so the Packers led 13-6. Neither team would do anything offensively until the end of the quarter when the Packers had another drive going but it stalled at the Bears 16 yard line.
Jan Stenerud kicked a 33 yard FG to start the 4th quarter to put the Packers up 16-6. Bears added a 25 yard Thomas FG to cut the Packers lead to 16-9.
Bears had the ball with one last chance to tie the game and force OT. Bears QB Vince Evans led them down to the Packers 1 yard line with less than 1:00 to play. Bears gave the ball on 3rd down to Matt Suhey instead of Payton. Suhey appeared to score to give the Bears a chance to tie the game. However, the ball was knocked loose and Packers safety Johnnie Gray recovered at the Bears 2 yard line. The officials huddled to try to figure out the right call. Packers were given the ball after a short conference and ran out the clock to walk away with a 16-9 victory and get some revenge for last year's debacle.
Packers ran for 193 yards. Gerry Ellis led the Packers with 17 carries for 94 yards. Eddie Lee Ivery had 14 carries for 72 yards but was lost for the season when he twisted his knee in the 3rd quarter. His foot got stuck in a seam in the Soldier Field artificial turf as he was trying to make a cut. He suffered the same injury in the exact same way his rookie year in 1979.
Packers held Payton to 81 yards rushing in 19 carries. Bears actually had more passing yards than the Packers, 161-153. There were 7 turnovers in the game. Packers lost 2 fumbles and 1 interception while the Bears lost 4 fumbles, including the fumble by Suhey that sealed the win for the Packers.
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Originally Posted by MJZiggy
