Every Packer fan should have lower blood pressure readings after Sunday’s road victory at Soldier Field. Most of us should be chuckling at ourselves for the laundry list of worries we had before this game.
Last year’s porous run defense, hamstring injuries to our top two receivers. Rookies Musgrave and Reed starting at tight end and slot receiver respectively. Our best pash rusher just back from a serious knee injury.
A rookie kicker who missed as many as he made in camp. And, of course, Jordan Love starting his first game without Aaron Rodgers on the roster. So many torments. Why do we do it to ourselves?
But this Packer team produced stellar performances in all three phases of the game while snuffing out any Bear hope of victory before the fourth quarter began. That, Packer fans is a statement.
Now, did they get some help from a poorly executing Bears team? Yes. But, they still had to execute in a hostile environment and respond to swings in momentum. And they did, all game long.
The poorest run defense in the NFC last year stopped the Bears on 3rd and one and 4th and one on their first offensive possession. The Packer defense held Bear running backs to 67 yards and Justin Fields to 59 with a long of 10 yards.
They kept the Bears out of the end zone in the first half and if not for an unfortunate offsides penalty they would have kept them out in the third. The defense also provided two turnovers, a fumble strip by Devonte Wyatt recovered by Rasul Douglass and a pick six interception by linebacker Clay Walker that was a highlight real catch and run.
Nobody was more critical of Clay Walker in his rookie year than this writer. Which made it even sweeter to watch him have a great game to start 2023. Not only was the pick six a highlight to replay for years to come, but he was also recognizing screens and misdirection and making solid tackles at or near the line of scrimmage.
Savage also was much improved in his angles and tackling producing 10 total tackles leading the team. And when was the last time the Packers got two sacks from rookies in their first game? Both Lukas Van Ness and Karl Brooks sacked Fields. Devonte Wyatt and Kenny Clark had two more between them.
In all the Packer defense tallied seven tackles for loss and seven plays of no gain or only 1 yard. That totals 14 out of Chicago’s 70 plays that were stuffed by the Packers defense.
Jordan Love had himself a day. His numbers impress. (15-27 / 245 yrds./ 3 TDs / 0 int. / QBR:123.3). Another key, only one sack.
Love got good protection, but he also helped his offensive line by getting the ball out in rhythm and making good decisions when he needed to pull the ball down and run. The other truly impressive take on Love’s day was how he did not get flustered when plays were disrupted.
The Packer first drive started with two negative plays setting up third and long. Love calmly dropped back and fired a laser that caught Doubs in his hands for a first down.
His first touchdown throw was a coaching clinic on read progression and accuracy. And when he ran, he fought through tackle attempts, an inspiring debut. When the offense was clicking it felt like a great combination of good play calling and execution.
Romeo Doubs might have been a 4th round draft pick but he is a big-time player in the making. His second touchdown catch with a defender all over him on the back shoulder pass was impressive.
Aaron Jones played the offensive spark plug to perfection. Luke Musgrave and Jayden Reed had their rookie moments, but their 5 catches contributed. Reed’s route running was particularly impressive for his first NFL game.
Musgrave’ s deep catch was a game changer. Love picking up a fumble and having the cool to look downfield finding Musgrave speaks volumes to Love’s readiness to handle the pressure. Musgrave’ s run after the catch…. give him a break, it’s his first game.
Special teams were also big contributors to the team win. Carson hitting a 52 yarder to start his career was epic. He was perfect for the day with punter/holder Daniel Whelan smoothly corralling two high snaps.
Reed totaled 35 yards on 3 punt returns and Nixon was strong on kick returns. And the coverage units did not give up a big play, helped by Carlson’s long kickoffs and Whelan’s booming punts.
The first test of 2023 was passed with flying colors. Next up, the undefeated Falcons who beat the Panthers 24-10.
Was it the cork soaking autocorrect that changed Quay, to Clay?
The undefeated Falcons?
Sorry, after playing 1 game….that made me smile 😎
when was the last time you could say that… 😜
So glad football is back. The good:
Anders Carlson can kick the crap out of the ball, that 52 yarder would have been good from 70. The big worry with him throughout the preseason has been accuracy. I still have reservations with the guy, but good start.
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Whelan averaged 49.8 yards per punt. Again, very good start although he needs to improve a bit at pinning the ball deep and avoiding the end zone.
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The edge rushers were very good on Sunday. Gary had five pressures in 10 snaps, which is insane. Can’t wait for him to be back on the field for full snaps.
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Aaron Jones should probably be in a class of his own at the top, but I have always loved this guy. Great teammate, great guy overall and the Packers need to hold onto the guy. He was the engine for the offense, and is invaluable for the offense while the young guys find their way. Which speaking of….
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The rookies. They combined for 5 catches, 98 yards, two sacks, Anders and Whelan were previously mentioned for teams play, and Reed averaged 18 yards a punt return. Very good start for the rookie class on a team that is relying heavily upon them.
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Jordan Love was composed, and was especially good when it counted on the money downs. His best play may have been the play he screwed up the snap, but he kept his composure and and calmly threw it where he knew the open guy was. Such a stark contrast when he looked like a deer in the headlights vs KC. Oh, and he had a no look pass.
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The bad
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The tackling, particularly in the first half was not very good. I will allow some leniency since Fields is one of the best athletes to play the QB position ever. I expect him to make some plays. But there were just too many missed tackles on him. Need to clean that up, as it seems like we have seen on far too many Packers defenses.
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The penalties. Particularly the unsportsmanlike on Ford. They need to play smarter, and in a game against a better team, those things can really swing games. They are the youngest team in the NFL, I expect them to do these types of things, hopefully they continue to get better with mental mistakes.
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Aj Dillon. I will preface by saying, I love the guy. He seems like a good dude and teammate. He seems to have integrated into Wisconsin life well. And to give him credit, when he took that little pitch and got smoked immediately and hung onto the ball, that was huge. That said, the guy leaves far too many yards on the field. It just doesn’t seem like he runs as well as a couple years ago, and is running with lead shoes. He was never super dynamic, but he could make guys miss and hit holes with authority. For whatever the reason he doesn’t appear to have it anymore.
See, I see it a hit different. Maybe I am misinterpreting you, but I still think he runs hard with effort, but it seems like he is as quick as he was. He was never going to be an explosive guy at his size, but I feel like he was hitting holes a lot quicker earlier in his career. It’s too bad. And I would agree that Lacy was more dynamic. He was a north-south dude, but he had some athleticism before he hit the buffet too hard
“The poorest run defense in the NFC last year stopped the Bears……”
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To be accurate….
The Packers are currently tied for 27th after week 1 in run defense giving up 122 yards to the Bears, sans the Mon. night game.
It doesn’t matter who got the yards rushing, the rb, qb,wr, it doesn’t matter.
When Kaepernick rushed for 181 yards against us back when…that counted against the run defense.
Rushing yards aren’t compartmentalized, unless of course you visit some nerd math student’s website who thinks he’s got that next best stat website that formulates “adjusted stats”.
Adjusted stats is a thing, i guess. But i don’t waste my time with them.
The Bears probably would have had even more yards rushing if they would have used their rookie RB (can’t remember his name) more. He certainly looked like their best back when he was in the game. They must use the Packers play book when it comes to rookies. Doesn’t matter if you are better than the veteran. If you’re a rookie you sit on the bench.
What really stood out was how fast and how aggressive the front seven on defense is. Now if they can just stay healthy.
There was only one QB who could read an actual NFL defense and it wasn’t Justin Fields. Too often he locked on to his first read and if he wasn’t open, he’d just run. That doesn’t bode well for a long term NFL career. Meanwhile you could see Jordan Love going thru his progressions. He played much like he did in the preseason. It wasn’t perfect but when he needed to make a play, he found a way.
It will be interesting to see how they play in Atlanta. Desmond Ridder isn’t nearly as dynamic as Justin Fields but probably a better passer. And they’ve got that big rookie RB. Our rookies showed promise. It’ll be fun watching them develop as the season progresses.
Decent game overall, was a little worried with the play selection in the first half seeing Jones in the game plan on the first drive and nothing after that. He is a possible home run on any play he touches the ball. Dillon was so dang slow to the hole. Really expected the Bears to run more than they did, somewhat confused by their play calling as well.
A lot of good things seen for the first game, really think the best play was the fumbled snap where Love stayed composed and took care of business. Was also happy with the way the O line played, and with the D front 7 except for all the missed tackles or sacks.
Just deleted a troll comment. If anyone has constructive criticism for Paul, that’s fine. If you want to verbally assault him over a typo, just fuck off to another Packers site because it’s always 24/7 prison rules up in Total Packers and no fucks will be given. Paul has done more for this site than I have lately.
Not going to lie, the Rodgers injury sucks. For selfish reasons, the Packers won’t be getting a 1st round pick. For other reasons, while I have been on the record on this site having issue with Rodgers in recent years and being through with the guy last year, this is not the way I wanted to go out. A guy like him deserved to go out on his own terms, and it seems like a possibility that won’t be the case now. Sort of feels like a Joe Theisman situation. This isn’t an attempt to pile on Rodgers, but Rodgers has had it very well in GB with his offensive line in recent years, even if it can be argued the Packers decisions at WR were questionable for a few years. In fact they have been toward the top of PFFs rankings for several years. Wanted to see what Rodgers could do with the jets but their offensive line which concerned me, ended his season after 4 plays
Aaron Rodgers, like Davante Adams before him, found out the hard way the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Brian Gutekunst would never go into a season with a 38 year old LT to protect his 100 million dollar, 39 year old, franchise QB. That’s pure negligence. The MRI will confirm an Achilles injury. If so, his season and probably career are are over.
Aaron Rodgers always had excellent protection in GB because it was made a priority. Just as Jordan Love is well protected now. Even with 32 year old David Bakhtiari at LT, Gutekunst has Rasheed Walker and Yosh Nijman as more than capable backups at LT. Either backup would start at LT for the Jets.
Aaron Rodgers got what he wanted. He wanted out of GB. It’s a move that will ultimately end his career. He has no one to blame but himself.
Thank god the Jets have Tim Boyle on their practice squad. Ya know, he beat out Jordan Love as a rookie and is the better QB, right Kevin? I’m sure they could find Kurt Benkert, another Kevin favorite, bagging groceries somewhere and entice him back to the NFL.
Bottom line, it was the absolute right call to draft Jordan Love. It was also the absolute right call to trade Aaron Rodgers. You all can cry like little bitches and say otherwise. But you’d all be wrong, which you constantly are….
Of course you’ll take notes…
Whether you think I’m a good person or not has no bearing on the fact that Aaron Rodgers fucked up. He let his ego get in the way of how good he had it in GB.
What I wanted Kevin was for that pompous, self absorbed little bitch to get the shit kicked out of him for 17 games. What I wanted was to see him fail with another organization just like he has for the last 13 years in GB. So idiots like you would finally shut the hell up about how the Packers somehow held him back from greatness. Instead we get a season ending and probably career ending injury. And more fucking excuses. Aaron Rodgers could have been a champion in NY but he got injured. Aaron Rodgers could have been a champion but Kevin King held him back. Aaron Rodgers could have been a champion but Brian Gutekunst held him back. Just more continuous bullshit. The only thing Aaron Rodgers is the champion of is excuses….
Rodgers trade looks a bit better today