The Green Bay Packers made relatively easy work of the Chicago Bears in route to a 38-20 victory. It was a close game for the first half, with Green Bay entering the break with a 10-6 lead. However, the offense exploded in the second half on the legs of Aaron Jones and the arm of Jordan Love.
It was a complete victory, with all three phases of the game playing complementary football. Of course, the players that put up the biggest numbers (Love, Jones, Romeo Doubs, Quay Walker, Devonte Wyatt, etc.) have been getting the most praise, and deservedly so.
However, there are three personnel that are not getting the credit that they deserve for the Packers’ victory.
1. Green Bay Packers Left Tackle David Bakhtiari
David Bakhtiari is certainly getting attention on social media for his fun antics directed towards Bears fans during the game. Those that are fascinated by offensive line play, too, are quick to point out the fact that the three-time Pro Bowl left tackle did not allow a single pressure.
This, of course, should not be a surprise. He did not allow any sacks in any of the 11 games he played last year either. However, he bears a place on this list due to the unwarranted criticism that has come away from a certain faction of Packers fans (usually ones in toxic Facebook groups).
The fact of the matter is that Bakhtiari overcame a great deal to get healthy, and most of that struggle is one he went through privately. Now that he’s back, all fans should do is enjoy his dominant play and relish his unique/hilarious personality.
2. Green Bay Packers Defensive Coordinator Joe Barry
For the past two years, Joe Barry has received a great deal from the fanbase as well, and rightly so. Over the last two seasons, Green Bay’s defenses have under-performed, to put it mildly. In fact, NFL analyst Mina Kimes said early in the offseason that Barry should be under more pressure to win than Jordan Love.
Once the 2023 preseason had ended, the Packers had the highest graded defense in the NFL per PFF. Of course, that’s just preseason; what really matters is the regular season. But the Green Bay defense in Week One looked much different than it had in previous seasons:
Don’t recall a Packers game where I noticed as much DL movement as I did in this one. Devonte Wyatt (#95) was especially effective on the stunts–forces the incompletion here. pic.twitter.com/nluYKYfxvf
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) September 13, 2023
If Barry is going to be criticized when the defense does poorly, he should be equally praised for when it performs well. And the defense was really good on Sunday.
3. Green Bay Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst
Speaking of getting criticism, general manager Brian Gutekunst is a constant lightning rod of it. Whether it is because he drafted Jordan Love, did not draft a wide receiver in the first round, traded Aaron Rodgers, or got out of bed in the morning, there is always something that fans find to complain about regarding the job he does.
It should be noted, though, that the Packers look like they will surprise a lot of people because of the team that Gutekunst has assembled. One just has to look at the PFF grades on defense from Sunday’s game to see the impact his first round picks are having. 10 defensive players had a grade of 70 or higher. Six of them, Quay Walker, Rashan Gary, Devonte Wyatt, Darnell Savage, Jaire Alexander, and Kenny Clark, were all first round picks Gutekunst selected.
Oh, and Jordan Love was the only quarterback in the NFL with three touchdowns and no interceptions in Week One.
Look, it’s early. We all get that. But based on the preseason and Week One, it looks like Gutey has put together a pretty good team.
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