After defeating the Chicago Bears by a score of 33-28 to close out the regular season, the 8-7-1 Green Bay Packers lost the game of hot potato that had been played all season among the four NFC North teams looking to avoid losing in embarrassing fashion in the first round of the NFL playoffs. While the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions had managed to avoid being the last team to be forced to represent the anemic NFC North in the playoffs, the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers were left to do everything they could to ensure they would not have to face a lopsided defeat to a team that actively earned a spot in the postseason.

Despite their best efforts, which saw two interceptions from All-Pro quarterback Aaron Rodgers and a fumble that was accidentally returned for a touchdown, the Packers were left with the division title after Randall Cobb failed to drop a touchdown pass with 38 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

When reached for comment about the game, hot potato loser Aaron Rodgers told media sources, “You have to hand it to the Bears. At the end of the day, they wanted to avoid the shame of a first round rout more than us. I mean, sending an all-out blitz on fourth down with the game on the line while leaving Cobb wide open? That was inspired. Damn, I should have just thrown it right to Craig Steltz again instead. That’s on me.”

As a result of their loss of this year’s game of hot potato, the Packers must play a San Francisco 49ers team who finished the season with a 12-4 record, including a win over Green Bay.

By Jeff GoodSmith