Aaron Rodgers' heroics once again won the day for the Green Bay Packers in a 30-27 victory, but it was Ty Montgomery's running that will leave a lasting impression.
The converted receiver dominated for long stretches Sunday, gashing the Chicago Bears for runs of 61, 36, 26 and 21 yards, en route to a 162-yard rushing day on 16 totes with two touchdowns. In total, the Packers rushed for 226 yards, marking the first time Green Bay finished with 225-plus passing and rushing yards since Week 15, 1994 vs. Bears (first time on done on the road since 1962 at Philadelphia).
"This was surprising today," Rodgers said of the running game, via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "I don't think we expected to rush for over 200 yards. I think we have confidence in Ty, we wanted to get him a number of touches. But this was definitely unexpected in the best way possible."
Rodgers chipped in with 19 rushing yards, but his gimpy calf left him hobbling after every slow-motion dash. The injury severely hampered the quarterback's mobility outside the pocket, but luckily for Green Bay, Montgomery put on the best performance by a Packers running back in years.
The superlatives, via NFL Research:
»Montgomery's 123 rushing yards in the first half were second-most by Packers runner since at least 1991 (Ahman Green had 133 1st-half rushing yards in Week 1, 2001 vs. Lions).
»Finished with most rushing yards by a Packers runner since Samkon Gado (171 yards) in Week 14, 2005 vs. Lions
»Had the most rushing yards by a Packer on the road since Ahman Green (176 yards) in Week 4, 2003 at Chicago.
»Second Packer to rush for 150-plus yards and 2 TDs in a game against the Bears -- Ahman Green: 176 rushing yards, 2 rushing TD in Week 4, 2003.
»Most rushing yards per attempt -- 10.1 average -- (min. 15 attempts) since Green in Week 7, 2004 vs. Cowboys (10.9 yards per 15 attempts)
We should remind you that Montgomery started the season as a wide receiver. Now a full-time running back after the Packers were decimated by injury, Montgomery's vision from the backfield has increased exponentially, he displays the ability to plow through arm tackles and can shift into a second-level gear.
If you don't appreciate the stats or our glowing assessment, perhaps you'll appreciate the appraisal of those blocking for Montgomery.
"Honestly I felt like half of Ty's runs, he was just breaking tackle after tackle," right guard T.J. Lang said. "It seemed like we didn't really have to block anybody in order for him to squirt out of there. It's just a huge day for him. He's a guy who's gotten better every single week."
Added right tackle Bryan Bulaga: "He runs hard. It's tough for one person to bring him down. He has a low center of gravity and he stays low and he runs really hard. Today, just from looking at the (tablet) slides on the sideline after some of the runs, I mean he had some great vision today. Seeing holes before they were created and being patient."
Green Bay's four-game win streak sets the table for a run back to the NFC North throne and a January push. In Montgomery, the Packers finally found a playoff-worthy running game.
