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Chalk Talk

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Chalk Talk: What was turning point in Packers game?

Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.

What do you think was the turning point in the Bears' loss to the Packers?
Ray P.
Virginia

I've seen a lot of talk about the "free-play-that-wasn't" being the turning point in the game. The Bears thought they had a free play because a Packers defensive lineman had jumped into the neutral zone, so Justin Fields threw a deep pass like he's instructed to do, and it was intercepted in the end zone. Unfortunately, no flag was thrown and the turnover stood. While that obviously was a very important momentum swing, the Bears still led 7-0 in the first quarter. I felt the turning point actually came midway through the fourth quarter, after the Bears had trimmed the deficit to 17-14. Needing only a field goal to tie the game, the Bears instead allowed Aaron Rodgers to complete a 41-yard pass to Davante Adams, setting up a touchdown that gave the Packers a two-score cushion. If the defense would have been able to hold Green Bay out of the end zone, the Bears still could have won the game with a late touchdown. That, to me, was the true turning point.

Khalil Mack has six sacks in the first six games. Who was the last Bears player to do that?
Robert H.
Arlington Heights, Illinois

This year marks the 11th time since sacks became an official statistic in 1982 that a Bears player has recorded at least 6.0 sacks in the first six games of a season. Interestingly, it's the first time that Khalil Mack has done so in his seven-year NFL career. The last Bears player to do it was Willie Young, who accomplished the feat twice, with 7.0 sacks in 2014 and 6.0 in 2016. Hall of Famer Richard Dent's 7.5 sacks in 1993 remain the most ever by a Bears player through the first six games of a season.

I thought I saw Xavier Crawford on the field playing defense a lot more against the Packers. How has his role changed and can you share a little bit about his background?
Robert G.
Streamwood, Illinois

Your eyes did not deceive you. Cornerback Xavier Crawford played 37 snaps and recorded three tackles against Green Bay. Defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend explained to reporters Monday that Crawford's playing time expanded because of his versatility; his ability to line up both outside at cornerback and inside at nickel back enabled the Bears to allow top cornerback Jaylon Johnson to move around the field to cover Packers No. 1 receiver Davante Adams wherever he lined up. As far as his background, Crawford was selected by the Texans in the sixth round of the 2019 draft out of Central Michigan. He appeared in five contests with the Texans and Dolphins as a rookie before being signed to the Bears practice squad Dec. 30, 2019. Last season he played in three games for the Bears but spent most of the year on the practice squad.

Chalk Talk features fan questions multiple times each week. Email your question to Larry.

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