All week, the Chicago Bears kept talking about all of their hate towards the Green Bay Packers. And yet, Sunday’s win made it nine straight over our southern rivals – seems like nothing has really changed after all.
It was finally the Jordan Love show, and while there were a few misses in the passing game, the amount of confidence and poise that the third-year starter showed was quite impressive. Defensively, there are enough things to write home about as well, as this game was an all-around effort.
Offense
Love played a turnover-free game, a huge part of why the Packers always felt in control on Sunday. Going 15/27 for 245 yards and 3 TDs, Love found six different receivers in the game, helping spread the ball around to a team that was without Christian Watson.
A rushing element was also incorporated into the game plan by Matt LaFleur, as Love earned a few carries via the read option. It was a nice wrinkle to have added in, and it helped take some pressure off of Love throwing the ball.
Aaron Jones and Romeo Doubs were the other standouts on offense, and the duo combined for 6 receptions, 112 yards, and 3 receiving TDs. Jones did leave the game early with a leg injury, but all signs are pointing to that being a precautionary measure more than anything serious.
Defense/Special Teams
Four sacks of Justin Fields showcased how dominant Green Bay was in the trenches – Lukas Van Ness, Devonte Wyatt, Kenny Clark, and Karl Brooks all had a hand in giving Fields fits all game long.
Elsewhere on the defense, Darnell Savage led the team in tackles (10), Wyatt led the team in tackles for loss (2), and both Clark and Wyatt tied for the team lead with two QB hits each. Quay Walker recorded his first-career interception and returned it to the house, putting an exclamation mark on a stellar day for this unit.
For special teams, Keisean Nixon and rookie Jayden Reed formed a solid 1-2 punch in kick and punt returns for Green Bay. Nixon averaged 27.5 yards per return and Reed averaged 18 yards per punt return, with a long of 35 yards.
In the kicking game, rookie kicker Anders Carlson made his lone field goal (from 52 yards) and hit all five of his extra points, making for a strong first day for the Auburn rookie kicker. Punter Daniel Whelan was impressive too, averaging just under 50 yards per punt and placing one inside the 20 yard line.
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Mike Johrendt has been an avid fan of the Packers ever since he can remember. He is now a writer at PackersTalk and you can follow him on Twitter at @MJohrendt23
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