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MNF moments, No. 39: Bears' big block

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

To celebrate the 45th season of "Monday Night Football," a panel of ESPN.com contributors has selected the 45 most memorable moments in MNF history. Follow along as we reveal one per day and count down to this season's MNF debut.

No. 39: Bears 20, Packers 17 (OT) | Dec. 22, 2008


Sixty minutes wasn't enough to determine a winner in the 176th regular-season meeting between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers.

The temperature at Soldier Field was announced at 2 degrees, which at the time was the coldest home game in Bears' history since they started keeping temperature records in 1963.

The Packers came in almost as cold, having lost four straight games while being eliminated from playoff contention in Aaron Rodgers' first season as starting quarterback. The Bears, on the other hand, were fighting for their playoff lives.

After the Packers jumped out to a 14-3 halftime lead, Chicago would rally to tie it at 17 with just over three minutes left in regulation. A 32-yard Will Blackmon kick return, paired with a 15-yard personal foul, put the Packers in field goal range.

With a chance to eliminate its longtime rival from playoff contention, Green Bay sent Mason Crosby out for a 38-yard field goal attempt. But it was not meant to be for the visitors, as Chicago's Alex Brown blocked the potential game winner and the Packers never touched the ball again.

In overtime, Chicago's Robbie Gould connected on an identical 38-yarder to keep the Bears' season alive despite being outgained by more than a 100 yards and never leading in regulation.