The Road to Redemption

Sounds of joy this holiday season were heard a day late.  Especially in Green Bay.  Packers head coach Mike McCarthy announced yesterday that Aaron Rodgers would be back at the starting quarterback position, after missing nearly 2 months with a fractured collar bone.  An injury that occured during their first meeting with the Chicago Bears...who they play again Sunday.  Oh yeah, and the winner goes to the playoffs, while the loser goes home.  Story lines anyone?

Sure, the Rodgers angle is a big one.  Can he come back against the team that sidelined him, and lead Green Bay on a playoff run?  Sounds like a storybook ending to a tough season.  But don't forget the other QB in this game.  He has a lot to play for too.

Jay Cutler hasn't played well against Green Bay.  He's 1-7 as the Bear's starting QB against the Packers.  He lost a close NFC Championship game to Green Bay, a game in which he left due to injury.  But this isn't the same Bear's offense.  He's got 2 big time WR's in Brandon Marshall and Alson Jeffery.  Matt Forte is a threat in the running and passing game.  The Packer D is depleated, and he won't face Clay Matthews Sunday either.  This is it.  This is Cutler's chance to silence the critics, send the Bears to the playoffs, and defeat their bitter rivals in the process.  Oh, and did we mention Cutler is in the last year of his current contract?  A win Sunday means...cha ching!  From the Bears, or another team in 2014.

There's only 2 problems.  One, the Bears defense, one of the worst in the NFL.  The second?  Aaron Rodgers.  You don't think Rodgers wants this game badly?  Send the team that sidelined him home for the playoffs? 

The NFL wants drama.  It has it Sunday afternoon in Chicago.  And one QB will have his redemption....and a home playoff game.  GO PACK GO!