The Green Bay Packers opened up the Jordan Love Era in the best way possible: by beating their oldest rival, the Chicago Bears. After leading 10-6 at the half, Green Bay erupted for four touchdowns in the second half and easily outpaced the Bears.
As great of a win as it was, it was not without flaws. Furthermore, the following players exited the game with injuries (links provide injury updates):
Still, there was a great deal to feel good about. Additionally, Matt LaFleur improved to 9-0 against Chicago and won in Week One for the first time since 2020.
Three Studs and Duds for the Green Bay Packers vs the Chicago Bears
Prior to getting into the studs for the victory over the Bears, here are a few honorable mentions:
- Anders Carlson: Made his only field goal attempt (52 yards) and all five of his extra points
- Quay Walker: Interception returned for a touchdown, four tackles, a tackle for loss
- Romeo Doubs: Four receptions for 26 yards and two touchdowns
- Darnell Savage: 10 tackles, one tackle for loss
- Jaire Alexander: three tackles, one pass defended, held DJ Moore to two receptions for 25 yards
- Lukas Van Ness and Karl Brooks: Each recorded their first career sacks
- Joe Barry: Let’s give credit where credit is due; the defense mostly looked good
Stud #1- Quarterback Jordan Love
Was he perfect? No. But Jordan Love played better than most people expected him to. He finished the day 15/27 for 245 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions.
Most importantly, Love had a perfect passer rating when throwing on third/fourth down. All three of his touchdown passes came on third or fourth down plays, and the poise he showed when backed up was second to none.
Love also had four passes of 30+ yards despite being without top wide receiver Christian Watson. In other words, he took what he was given and made it work.
Stud #2- Running Back Aaron Jones
Despite missing most of the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury, and despite getting just five touches in the entire first half, Aaron Jones showed why he is such an important part of the Packers offense.
Jones got the majority of his touches in the second half, finishing the game with nine rushes for 41 yards and two receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown.
At halftime, fans were pretty upset about how little Jones had been used after the opening series, and it is easy to see why. When the ball was in his hands, the offense moved down the field more efficiently.
Don’t worry; he didn’t pull his hamstring. He said after the game he could have gone back in if the game had been close.
Stud #3- Defensive Tackle Devonte Wyatt
Prior to training camp, many Packers insiders and NFL analysts picked Devonte Wyatt as the player who would take the biggest leap in his second season. His performance on Sunday against the Bears showed that they may have been right.
The second-year defensive tackle finished his day with three tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two quarterback hits. If Wyatt and the rest of the Packers’ defensive line can continue to create interior pressure, the defense will be very hard to beat this season.
Dud #1- Running Back AJ Dillon
As mentioned, the offense stalled when Jones stopped getting touches. When Jones went out with injury, AJ Dillon did little to provide a spark in the run game.
Dillon ended the day with 19 yards on a team-leading 13 carries. His longest carry went for seven yards, which of course means that most of his runs went for negative yards or no gain.
Dillon is in the last year of his rookie contract and wants to remain a Packer, but he needs to be better if that is going to happen.
Dud #2- Matt LaFleur
Admittedly, this is a stretch. After all, he improved to 9-0 against the Bears with the win today. However, how many times is he going to abandon what works (feeding Aaron Jones) and watch the offense stall on drive after drive before he becomes more consistent with his play calling?
Dud #3- Wide Receiver Dontayvion Wicks
With Watson out, rookie wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks had a chance to really make his presence known. The problem was that he did not.
Wicks struggled to get open and found himself with just two targets all game. He failed to haul in either one.
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