After getting totally outplayed in their opening week loss to the Vikings, the Packers looked to get back on track against the Bears, who took down the 49ers in their opener. Last season, the Packers took both meetings between the teams and entered with a six-game winning streak against their division rivals.
The Packers took the opening kickoff and methodically drove 53 yards in 13 plays. A 40-yard field goal by Mason Crosby put the Packers up, 3-0. Chicago answered with a seven-play drive covering 71 yards fueled by a 30-yard pass to Equanimeous St. Brown and a 13-yard run by David Montgomery. A 3-yard touchdown run by Justin Fields put the Bears up, 7-3.
The second quarter was all Green Bay. A nine-play, 75-yard drive ended at the beginning of the second quarter with a 15-yard scamper to the end zone by Aaron Jones. The Packers defense stifled the Bears offense, not allowing a first down in the quarter and only three yards on ten plays. Meanwhile, the Packers offense was working on all cylinders. A nine-play drive in the middle of the quarter featuring a mix of Aaron Rodgers in the air and Jones on the ground ending in a touchdown pass from Rodgers to Jones from eight yards out. On the next possession, the Packers steamrolled for their third touchdown with the big play a 20-yard connection from Rodgers to Randall Cobb. Green Bay strutted into the locker room at the half leading 24-7.
The first Lambeau Leap of the year!
TOUCHDOWN @Showtyme_33! š#CHIvsGB | #GoPackGo
šŗ NBC pic.twitter.com/ur6WlFdBXj
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 19, 2022
The Bears failed to convert a first down after receiving the second half kickoff. Green Bay looked to add to their lead, but Rodgers fumbled at the Chicago 33, ending the drive. Chicago found some rhythm offensively over the next two drives, but the Packers defense tightened when needed, holding the Bears to a field goal and a loss of downs. Green Bay held a comfortable 24-10 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Green Bay melted the clock midway through the fourth quarter on 10-play, 89-yard drive. The result was a 28-yard field goal by Mason Crosby to put the Packers up, 27-10. Two players later, Jaire Alexander intercepted a deep pass intended for Equanimeous St. Brown. Four plays, ten yards and 2:09 off the clock and the Packers improved to 1-1 with a 27-10 victory.
2ļøā£3ļøā£ with the INT! @JaireAlexander!!!#CHIvsGB | #GoPackGo
šŗ NBC pic.twitter.com/0471ZMzVQI
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 19, 2022
Rodgers completed 19-of-25 for 234 yards and two touchdowns. Eight different Packers caught at least one pass, led by Sammy Watkins, Aaron Jones, Randall Cobb, and Christian Watson, each with three. Aaron Jones tore up the Bears in the running game, covering 132 yards on 15 carries, while AJ Dillon added 61 on 18 attempts. Defensively, Preston Smith recorded two sacks. Note that punter Pat OāDonnell averaged 61 yards on two punts. Justin Fields threw for only 70 yards for the Bears and was intercepted once, while David Montgomery rushed for 122 yards on 15 carries.
The Packers head to Tampa Bay next week for a showdown against the 2-0 Buccaneers.
This is the kind of game Aaron Rodgers lives for. Gets a big lead, then coasts. You canāt ask the 50 million dollar man to ever come from behind. That would be asking way too much. Although Kyler Murray can come back from 20 down at the half to beat the Raiders. While Joe Flacco, who canāt even be mentioned in the same breathe as the great Aaron Rodgers, rallied the Jets from 13 down midway thru the 4th quarter for a win. Mike McCarthy, like Matt LaFleur, who is known for having teams that are āunprepared and undisciplinedā, coached perhaps his best game as HC of the Cowboys. Taking an unknown backup QB and beating last seasons SB team. This defense is beginning to show you how special it can be. Along with running the football, itās not all on Rodgers when it done right. And thatās a good thingā¦
Observations…..
The Bears were exactly what the Packers needed in week 2, exactly, because lets face it, the bears still suck.
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After a rough start, Rodgers got it together and played “efficient” football.
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There is no doubt who the better running back is on this team. Dillon may have quadzilla thighs, but Jones hits the hole far quicker and more explosively imo.
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Nice to see the pass disbursement, and Watkins production was a nice surprise.
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Watson is portrayed as our “field stretcher”, take the top off the defense guy, MVS replacement, etc.
He caught 3 passes for 9 yards. If you wanted to give him another chance running a post, this was the game to do it. Next week Rodgers may not have the time in the pocket, unless he rolls out.
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The addition of Jenkins was almost like night and day, you see how the lined jelled better with real starter talent back in. Hope Bahk is back next week, they are going to need him.
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Aaron Jones ate up the bears defense with great vision and quick cuts, plus, the bears just suck.
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Flip side….David Montgomery also had a stellar day. Why am i getting deja vu with all the missed tackles? I’m not so sure an elite top 5 defense allows 122 yards rushing on 15 carries.
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Not sure what to make of the Packers pass defense as JF’s only attempted 11 passes (lol)
Like wtf?
I’m guessing they want to keep his interceptions as low as possible. Training wheels still on.
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ESB put, i guess, sort of a block on Q. Walker, and Walker wilted down to his knee’s like cotton candy getting rained on. I don’t know about this dude yet. All i hear about is his speed, nothing else, just sideline to sideline speed. It’s early, he’s new, i get it. But i want to start seeing some flashes.
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At some point…i need to see something besides zero’s across Devonte Wyatt’s stat line. I know, i know, it’s early.
1st round pick. Give me something!!
Weren’t these guys the missing pieces of our elite top 5 defense puzzle?
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Speaking of defense…..The bears offense is sorta inept, and you missed a lot of tackles, but it’s still the NFL, so kudos on only giving up 10 points.
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OH!!…MLF…..At halftime MLF said he wasn’t taking his foot off the gas…that’s good, but we need to score more than 3 points in the 2nd half if that’s the case. it’s the friggin bears!!
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Yes…the Bears were exactly what the Pack needed, because the bears still suck, and their fans know it.
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Looking ahead, next Sunday will be a good test of the line play up front against the Bucs, compared with how they fared last time when we got steamrolled.
They might be catching the Bucs at the right time, with Godwin, Smith being out against the Saints, plus Evans is now suspended one game (barring appeal?).
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Make no mistake, the Bucs aren’t the Bears.
Strap in folks, it could get a lil bumpy.