NFL game summary for 12/09/1979:
Chicago scored nine points in the final quarter to offset a 7-6 deficit and earn a share of first place in the NFC Central. Linebacker Tom Hicks' 66-yard interception return and a 44-yard field goal by Bob Thomas gave the Bears a 15-7 advantage. Green Bay had a chance to win the game but Tom Birney's 52-yard field goal attempt with 32 seconds remaining was short.
Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):
| Team | Rush Yds/Gm | Pass Yds/Gm | Tot Yds/Gm | Turnovers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | OFFENSE | 151.7 (7) | 127.9 (26) | 279.6 (25) | 25 |
| DEFENSE | 130.9 (11) | 161.0 (9) | 291.9 (8) | 36 | |
 | OFFENSE | 115.1 (21) | 167.0 (17) | 282.1 (24) | 39 |
| DEFENSE | 183.4 (28) | 184.6 (17) | 368.0 (28) | 27 |
Line: Bears by 4
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears (9-6-0) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 15 |
| Green Bay Packers (4-11-0) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
( 3- 0) CHI Bob Thomas 34 yard field goal
( 3- 7) GB Paul Coffman 6 yard pass from Lynn Dickey (Tom Birney kick)
( 6- 7) CHI Bob Thomas 33 yard field goal
(12- 7) CHI Tom Hicks 66 yard interception return (kick failed)
(15- 7) CHI Bob Thomas 44 yard field goal
(15-14) GB Paul Coffman 22 yard pass from Lynn Dickey (Tom Birney kick)
CHI GB
First Downs: 16 19
Rushes-yards: 38-161 23-55
Yards/rush: 4.2 2.4
Comp-Att-Yd-INT: 10-25-113-1 20-37-283-2
Sacked-yards: 1-7 4-32
Net pass yards: 106 251
Net yards/pass: 4.1 6.1
Total net yards: 267 306
Total plays: 64 (59% run) 64 (35% run)
Yards/play: 4.2 4.8
Fumbles-lost: 1-1 3-3
Turnovers: 2 5
Penalties-yards: 6-69 10-64
Attendance: 54,207
Passing:
CHI: Mike Phipps, 10 of 25 for 113 yards (1 int) GB: Lynn Dickey, 20 of 37 for 283 yards and 2 TDs (2 int)
Rushing:
CHI: Walter Payton, 25 for 115 yards; Dave Williams, 8 for 31 yards; Willie McClendon, 4 for 16 yards; Mike Phipps, 1 for -1 yards GB: Ricky Patton, 18 for 35 yards; Eric Torkelson, 3 for 7 yards; Lynn Dickey, 1 for 8 yards; Nate Simpson, 1 for 5 yards
Receiving:
CHI: Rickey Watts, 4 for 68 yards; Dave Williams, 3 for 21 yards; Brian Baschnagel, 1 for 12 yards; Mike Cobb, 1 for 11 yards; Walter Payton, 1 for 1 yard GB: James Lofton, 6 for 112 yards; Paul Coffman, 6 for 79 yards and 2 TDs; Ron Cassidy, 3 for 47 yards; Ricky Patton, 3 for 22 yards; Walter Tullis, 2 for 23 yards
Kick returns:
CHI: Len Walterscheid, 1 for 6 yards GB: Mike McCoy, 4 for 91 yards
Punt returns:
CHI: Len Walterscheid, 2 for 18 yards GB: Johnnie Gray, 3 for 17 yards
Interceptions:
CHI: Tom Hicks, 2 for 80 yards and 1 TD GB: Mike McCoy, 1 for 22 yards
Punting:
CHI: Bob Parsons, 5 for 163 yards GB: David Beverly, 5 for 181 yards
Field Goals:
CHI: Bob Thomas, 3/5 GB: Tom Birney, 0/1
CHI: Mike Phipps, 10 of 25 for 113 yards (1 int) GB: Lynn Dickey, 20 of 37 for 283 yards and 2 TDs (2 int)
Rushing:
CHI: Walter Payton, 25 for 115 yards; Dave Williams, 8 for 31 yards; Willie McClendon, 4 for 16 yards; Mike Phipps, 1 for -1 yards GB: Ricky Patton, 18 for 35 yards; Eric Torkelson, 3 for 7 yards; Lynn Dickey, 1 for 8 yards; Nate Simpson, 1 for 5 yards
Receiving:
CHI: Rickey Watts, 4 for 68 yards; Dave Williams, 3 for 21 yards; Brian Baschnagel, 1 for 12 yards; Mike Cobb, 1 for 11 yards; Walter Payton, 1 for 1 yard GB: James Lofton, 6 for 112 yards; Paul Coffman, 6 for 79 yards and 2 TDs; Ron Cassidy, 3 for 47 yards; Ricky Patton, 3 for 22 yards; Walter Tullis, 2 for 23 yards
Kick returns:
CHI: Len Walterscheid, 1 for 6 yards GB: Mike McCoy, 4 for 91 yards
Punt returns:
CHI: Len Walterscheid, 2 for 18 yards GB: Johnnie Gray, 3 for 17 yards
Interceptions:
CHI: Tom Hicks, 2 for 80 yards and 1 TD GB: Mike McCoy, 1 for 22 yards
Punting:
CHI: Bob Parsons, 5 for 163 yards GB: David Beverly, 5 for 181 yards
Field Goals:
CHI: Bob Thomas, 3/5 GB: Tom Birney, 0/1