Late interceptions seals win for Green Bay
Chicago – Sam shields intercepted Caleb Hanie and returned it to the 36 yard line of the Bears with 37 seconds to go to lift the Green Bay Packers over the Chicago Bears 21-14 in the NFC Champion Game Sunday evening at Soldier Field.
The win moves the Packers (13-6) into their fifth Super Bowl Championship Game where they will meet the winner of The New York Jets-Pittsburg Steelers game in Arlington, Texas on February 6th at Cowboy Stadium. Green Bay’s last Super Bowl appearance was in ’97.
B. J. Raji returned an interception for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to put the Packers up 21-7, giving them all the points they would need. Third string Quarterback Hanie helped the Bears to a pair of late scores but was hurt by turnovers, one of which ended their season on Shields second pick of the game.
The game marks the longest going rivalry in NFL history, 182 and running.
Hanie entered the game after backup quarterback Todd Collins was unable to get anything going and starter Jay Cutler was side lined early in the third quarter with a knee injury.
The Bears (12-6) entered the fourth quarter down 14-0 before their late scores.