Packers cornerback Sam Shields entered Sunday’s NFC Championship Game against the Bears with two career interceptions. The undrafted rookie from Miami doubled his career total with two big picks against Chicago in a 21-14 win, helping to send his team to the Super Bowl.
Shields answered a fluke Aaron Rodgers interception by intercepting Jay Cutler late in the second quarter. Cutler had been looking right but threw back across the field, bombing one towards Johnny Knox. Shields had Knox blanketed, and capitalized on the ball thrown in the middle of the field because he was playing the inside shoulder. The turnover helped keep Green Bay in front at a time when it appeared as if the Bears had a momentum-changing play.
Then with the game on the line in the final minute, Shields intercepted another pass on 4th and four to seal the win for the Packers. He was playing man defense on Johnny Knox and stepped in front of the receiver for his second pick of the game, icing the victory.
On top of the two interceptions, Shields had four tackles and a sack late in the second quarter that backed the Bears up to their 23 for a punt. The youngster has combined with Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams to form one of the best secondaries in football. Though Green Bay’s stellar pass rush pressures quarterbacks into making poor throws, the talent of their defensive backs has been evident all season. It’s no surprise they’ve made it to the Super Bowl with both sides of the ball playing so well.
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