After every single Green Bay Packers game here at Railbird Central, we bring you the silver lining. In a loss, it's the reason for optimism. In a win, it's an unexpected performance. Either way, it's good news for Packers fans.

This week's silver lining: new personnel groupings.

The Packers got creative a couple of times in the game against the Chicago Bears. It didn't happen many times, so you may have missed it.

One of the more unique instances of player groupings occured in the second quarter when the Packers stopped Bears running back Matt Forte on third-and-1.

The defense used a 4-4 front including Desmond Bishop and Brady Poppinga in at linebacker. Forte was stuffed and the little used Bishop was in on the tackle.

One has to wonder whether the Packers will be using that grouping of players more often considering their troubles this season in defending against the run.

Number one, they get more run stuffing help up front. And number two, the defensive backs seem more than capable of fending for themselves despite less help in the secondary given their performance this year.

As for the offensive side of the ball, there were a handful of times in which rookie tight end Jermichael Finley was split out wide as a wide receiver.

The Packers only kept four receivers active on the game day 45-man roster with Ruvell Martin forced to the sidelines. But even with Martin gone, the Packers were able to use Finley in some space.

If the Packers are forced to keep one receiver de-actived on gamedays, it's nice to see they have some flexibility to still be able to spread the offense outside of the tackle box. And that's especially important if the Packers ever suffer and in-game injury to one of the four receivers they keep activated.

Flexibility on both sides of the ball is a good trait. And that's your silver lining.

Photo credit: Flickr user radranny