After that opening weekend loss against the Vikings, Packers fans were looking for a big improvement against the Bears and the team duly delivered, with a 27-10 victory.
That win, and defeat for the Vikings, has led sportsbooks to adjust their odds, and fans looking for the best sportsbook promotions will see that the Packers are once again the NFC North favorites. There is, of course, a long way to go and the Bears are not the toughest opponents out there, but Packers fans will be pleased that there were more positives than negatives to come out of the game.
Bigger workloads for Jones and Dillon
One of the few bright spots of the Week 1 defeat was the performance of Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon, who didn’t touch the ball enough against Minnesota. Not surprisingly, they had a lot more to do against Chicago, increasing their combined touches from 23 to 37 and 237 total yards. Jones had 15 carries for 132 yards and three catches, scoring both a receiving and a rushing touchdown, while Dillon registered 18 carries for a total of 61 yards and one catch.
Without Davante Adams, the Packers were always going to need more balance in their offense, and it looks as though Dillon and Jones will be able to provide that in the weeks ahead.
Rodgers Back to his Best
Aaron Rodgers enjoys playing against the Bears, and these familiar opponents enabled him to return to something like his best after a disappointing performance against Minnesota. He finished with 234 passing yards and two touchdowns, throwing passes to eight different players. That third stat is particularly important. Without Adams, it is vital that the Packers bring along their other receivers as quickly as possible and Rodgers is playing a huge role in their development.
Offensive Line Improvement
The absence of Elgton Jenkins and David Bakhtiari significantly weakened the Packers’ offensive line in Week 1, putting additional pressure on Rodgers. While Bakhtiari remains frustratingly absent, Jenkins was back, and he had a steadying effect on the line. Royce Newman moved over to right guard while Jake Hanson dropped onto the bench and Jenkins made a solid return to action.
Jenkins’ importance to the Packers cannot be underestimated. In 2020, he played four different positions, allowing only one sack in 733 pass blocking snaps. In 2021, with Bakhtiari unavailable, he allowed only two sacks in 496 passing snaps. If Bakhtiari is able to return soon, the Packers offensive line will once again be at full strength, which is great news for the developing Green Bay offense.
Allen Lazard Back
Packers’ fans were also pleased to see the return of Allen Lazard. Effectively, the leader of the wide receiver group, he was targeted three times and scored one touchdown. His presence and experience take much of the pressure off rookies Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs.
Rushing Defense Shaky
Defensively, however, there were some obvious concerns. Despite being well beaten, the Bears enjoyed a fruitful game with their rushing offense. They rushed for 180 yards from 27 carries, with David Montgomery having an outstanding night, recording 122 yards from 15 carries. Admittedly, the Packers’ rush defense has been an issue for years, but it is something that they need to address as there are much stronger rushing teams out there than the Bears.
Packers Fumbles Becoming a Problem
An NFL team is a complicated machine with many moving parts, and there appears to be a new problem for head coach Matt LaFleur to tinker with over the next few days.
Both against the Vikings and the Bears, Green Bay appear to have developed a fumble problem. Last week, Aaron Rodgers was guilty of uncharacteristically losing a fumble when he was sacked, and then in Week 2, the Packers fumbled three times against the Bears.
None of those three fumbles were particularly excusable. In the first, Rodgers and Dillon got their wires crossed on a simple handoff, and their error was compounded when the Bears recovered the ball and went on to score a field goal. The second came when center Josh Myers’ snap hit wide receiver Christian Watson as he was in motion across the formation, passing in front of Aaron Rodgers. Then there was a fumbled punt return from Amari Rodgers, although in this case, the Packers were able to recover.
Four fumbles in two games is not in itself a huge issue, but the nature of the fumbles is of concern and LaFleur will be keen to ensure that it doesn’t become a trend.
14 Comments
Just as we caught Tampa Bay at the right time. Three starting WR’s and their LT out. So did Minnesota catch the Packers at the right time with both LT’s and Lazard out. Still we were a couple of plays from a different out come. Chicago, like Detroit, is one of those teams Rodgers loves to pad his stats with. The 180 yards rushing, while concerning, resulted in only 10 points. The Buccaneers didn’t come remotely close to that last week. The Packers now face the Patriots, Giants, Jets, and the Commanders. Four weak teams Rodgers undoubtedly will pad his stats with. The real test comes November 6th at Buffalo with the Rams and Eagles shortly thereafter. How will Rodgers the handle pressure? History tells us not very well. Ready your excuses ladies…
The Packers were without WR’s too. Baktiari only played half the snaps in the game. The leading receiver of the game was Gage Russell of Tampa Bay. Stop making excuses. The playing field was even steven. Yet, to you, Brady was somehow a victim of circumstance? I thought great ones find a way to get it done?
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Stop talking about November and games that have nothing to do with this week. It’s like you’re gearing up to brag about the Packers losing just in case they lose to one of the best teams in the league so you can say “i ToLd yOu sO! rOdGeRs WiLL nEvEr bE tOm bRaDy!” That doesn’t sound like a Packer fan to me. If it were to happen, there’s no shame in losing to the Bills. They’re a good team. The Buccaneers could lose to the Bills just as easily. Plus, it has nothing to do with this week. The week where Aaron Rodgers beat Tom Brady. Pretend like you’re a Packer fan and enjoy it.
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Go Pack Go!
Not making excuses Cheese, that’s your job as an Aaron Rodgers fan. I simply asked the question: had Aaron Rodgers been down 14-3 in the second half of what became a defensive battle. Could Rodgers bring the Packers back for a chance to win? History Cheese, tells us no. After 16 NFL seasons you know what is Aaron Rodgers. He beats up on weak teams and pads his stats then struggles to beat good teams. His playoff record speaks for itself. So savor the win Sunday against Brian Hoyer and that dumpster fire Matt Patricia offense of New England and pretend it means something. The real test comes against playoff teams like the Bills, Rams, and Eagles. David Bakhtiari and Yosh Nijman alternated series in Tampa where the heat and humidity played a factor in Bakhtiari’s return. There was virtually no drop off between the two. Nijman will be the LT of the future. Had Mike Evans, Chris Goodwin, and Julio Jones played, the Bucs probably win the game. Especially since unsurprisingly, Rodgers laid an egg in the second half. But if you and Kevin want to pretend it was an even playing field, knock yourself out. I’m sure the Easter Bunny is real too….
For the love of Christ, Princess….. give it a rest for a week or two….
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Rodgers did this, Rodgers didn’t do that, Brady can do this, Rodgers can’t do that..waa,waa,waa,waa……
And stop….repeating the same shit over and over and over, and over……
“If Rodgers was down 3-14 at halftime…….” – for the 15th time repeated….
blah, blah, blah, blah…………
“He pads his stats………..” – for the 112th time repeated
waa, waa,waa,waa……….
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I mean….can’t you invent anything new to bitch about in your miserable life?
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“The real test comes against playoff teams……” – Killer
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArSLNJNUEIM
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“It’s like you’re gearing up to brag about the Packers losing….” – Cheese
That’s what viking fans do.
“Not making excuses Cheese, that’s your job as an Aaron Rodgers fan”
You most absolutely are making excuses, not for the Packers but for Tom Brady, which have been pointed out ad nauseum.
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“had Aaron Rodgers been down 14-3 in the second half of what became a defensive battle. Could Rodgers bring the Packers back for a chance to win? History Cheese, tells us no.”
History tells us no? LOL. I’m not listing every 4th quarter comeback the Packers have had with Rodgers so you can whine and say that Brady has had more. You know who didn’t lead his team to a 4th quarter comeback on Sunday? Tom Brady.
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“Had Mike Evans, Chris Goodwin, and Julio Jones played, the Bucs probably win the game.”
If I didn’t know any better I would say that sounds like an excuse, Tom. You don’t see people here saying “had Christian Watson, Sammy Watkins, and Davante Adams played, the Packers probably win the game.” Why? Because the Packers won the game. And you know who lost the game? Tom Brady.
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“Especially since unsurprisingly, Rodgers laid an egg in the second half.”
Tom Brady laid an egg in the FIRST FIFTY NINE MINUTES OF THE GAME.
“But if you and Kevin want to pretend it was an even playing field, knock yourself out. I’m sure the Easter Bunny is real too…. ”
You mean to tell me that it wasn’t an even playing field? So you’re saying that things weren’t fair for Tom Brady? That sounds an awful lot like an excuse, Tom. I thought you didn’t make excuses? I thought the great ones always find a way? You mean to tell me that the great Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. couldn’t overcome a back-up left tackle and a few replacement WR’s? I thought he made everyone around him better? Plus, you’re so certain that things weren’t fair for Lord Brady that you’re willing to question the validity of the Easter Bunny on it? Wow Tom, I thought you didn’t make excuses.
That reminds me….i haven’t heard any Kevin King excuses lately 🤔
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I can remember when renowned NFL expert Princess Tommi was commenting about how good King was playing during the 2021 season.
That’s the season that Gute signed King to a one year free agent contract paying him 6 million million (smart).
Perhaps a reward for performing so well in the previous NFCCG?
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Then…to my astonishment!!
Kevin King is now sitting at home watching NFL games on Sundays nursing a shoulder injury he got when reaching the top shelf for a bag of Dorito’s.
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Unemployed? How could this be?
A 27 year old stud corner in his prime, who is fast and long, not wanted by any of the other 31 teams?
Not even offered the league minimum as some teams 3rd string back up?
Who the f could have ever of guessed that!?!?
Tommi…you know everything, where did this train go off the tracks?
Perhaps…on the 33rd pick of the 2017 draft?
Tom M 3 hours ago
After 16 NFL seasons you know what is Aaron Rodgers.
A more accurate passer than Tom Brady.
A better passer rating than Tom Brady.
Less interceptions than Tom Brady.
A better TD/int ratio than Tom Brady
Multiple NFL record(s) holder.
4x 1st team All Pro
4x MVP
SB MVP
10x Pro Bowl
Just an all around good guy who gives a lot to charity but doesn’t need a video recording of it all to flaunt himself.
^Agreed^
Brady fricken lost.
Tom Brady fricken lost.
High-ho the derry-o Tom Brady fricken lost!
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He couldn’t get it done.
He couldn’t get it done.
He couldn’t even tie the game and that’s when Rodgers won!
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Blame it on his troops.
Blame it on the D.
Tom Brady lost the game for everyone to see!
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Rodgers won the game.
Oh Rodgers won the game.
Aaron Rodgers beat Tom Brady while Tom M deflects the blame!
You left out the most important stat Kevin. Tom Brady has 7 Super Bowl wins. How many does Erin have? Tell me Tom Brady’s playoff record and compare that to Erin’s 7-9 record since his only SB 12 years ago. Tom Brady doesn’t win all his big games, he’s lost 2 SB’s, but he wins most of them. Rodgers can’t get that far. Aaron Rodgers pads his stats by beating up on average to below average teams and struggles mightily when faced with good teams with good QB’s. There are no Detroit Lions or Chicago Bears to “own” in the playoffs. I asked a question: with the game on the line, on the final drive, could Aaron Rodgers have done what Tom Brady did on Sunday and come from behind and make it one play away from OT? I said not likely. I didn’t say he couldn’t. I said it was doubtful based on past performance. And that’s why stats are useless. With the game on the line and you need a score on the final drive, and you not playing the Lions or Bears. Who do you want as your QB? Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers? Patrick Mahomes or Aaron Rodgers? Joe Burrow or Aaron Rodgers? Josh Allen or Aaron Rodgers? Within a decade of his retirement all of Aaron Rodgers stats will be surpassed by another QB, possibly Mahomes. While Brady’s 7 SB wins will last generations. I’m stating facts here. That neither makes me a Tom Brady or a Viking fan. But I don’t expect either of you to understand that.
Tom M 6 hours ago
I’m stating stats here, that’s what us real fans do.
Accidentally left the auto-translate plugin enabled and paid about $100 to translate a bunch of old posts into German and Spanish. Oops. That one stings. If y’all got any German friends, tell em to check out this site.
Das ist wirklich. Warum zum Teufel gibt es eine Gebühr? Was für ein Haufen Arschlöcher. Go Pack Go!
Now there’s a fee?